Frugal in France - Paris

Before embarking on my trip to Paris this Spring, I fantasized about all of the wonderful French products I would buy for a fraction of what they cost here. Things made in France should be cheaper there right? Apparently, only in my dreams. There are; however, a few exceptions. Several companies have outlets or surplus stores in Paris where you can buy clothing for half the price of what they cost here. I thought I would plan a day in Paris with products, attractions and eats on the cheap.

(Image from A.P.C.)

Start your day off in scenic Montmartre with a delectable almond croissant from the charming Coquelicot bakery at 24, Rue Des Abbesses. Pop in the upscale beauty store a few doors down and stock up on French skin care products. Three products I love that I found cheaper in Paris are: La Roche Posay Hydraphase, Avene Sunscreen, and Nuxe Reve De Miele Lip Balm. After checking out Van Gogh, Picasso, and Lautrec's former studios, make your way over to Sacre Coeur. After you've had enough site seeing and are ready for some shopping, head down the hill and check out the A.P.C Surplus Store at 20 Rue Andre Del Sarte. Of the three outlet stores I hit in Paris I found this to be the best.  The store is small but well organized  with men's and women's selections from about 6 months prior at 50% off.

(image from Zadig & Voltaire)

If you are done exploring Montmartre, you can make your way over to the Marais. There are three free Museums in this area, The Musee Cognacq-Jay, the Maison de Victor Hugo, and the Musee Carnavalet. All are in beautiful mansions and are great places to stop if you need a bathroom break. A cheap place to pick up lunch in this area is L'as du Falafel. It really is the best falafel I have ever had for around 5 euros. There is not much room to eat in, but you can take it to nearby Place de Vosges and sit in the park. There are two other outlets close by, the Zadig and Voltaire at 22 Rue de Bourg Tibourg, and the slightly further a field Et Vous at 17 Rue de Turbigo. The Zadig and Voltaire is the most outletlike experience with boxes and shelves stacked with items to dig through. It is a good place to hit for basics, or to find that item you passed up here months earlier because it was just too expensive. Before visiting their surplus store, I was not familiar with Et Vous clothing, but of the 3 outlets they have the best prices. I found a navy trench coat previously 400 euros for 50, and cashmere sweaters for 40 euros.

(Image from Le Vaissellerie)

If you have the inkling to check out the left bank, head over to La Grande Epicerie du Bon Marche at 38 Rue Sevres. Packed with food, you can pick up a baguette with ham and cheese for about 6 euros and a reasonable bottle of wine. As you make your way over to the Luxembourg Gardens to eat your dinner, stop by Le Vaissellerie on 85 Rue Rennes. Although this is not an outlet, it is packed with white French porcelain for as little as 3 euros a plate, and other thrifty tabletop goodies.

Click below to view my google map with all of the places listed. Happy Shopping!

View Flitterin Frugal in France Map in a larger map

Books to Put You In the Mood - Paris

Before I jetted off to Paris a few months ago, I stopped into the Traveler's Bookcase, a lovely little travel bookstore on Third Street in Los Angeles, to pick up some guide books, maps, and a travel dictionary. As I've mentioned before, whenever I am traveling I like to try and pack books to read that are set in that location, and the Traveler's Bookcase has a great selection of fiction and non fiction reading materials for just about anywhere you want to go. When I asked the store's owner what she would recommend for Paris, she said "How about a mystery?" I'm a complete mystery junkie, so I promptly replied "Yes please." She handed me Cara Black's: Murder in the Bastille, and said if "You like this, there is a whole series to read."

I read the entire book on the plane, which is the reason I got no sleep, and finished it just as we were pulling into our gate at Charles de Gaulle. Needless to say, I was hooked.


The series features the adventures of the stylish private detective Aimee Leduc who is kind of like a French Carrie Bradshaw. Each book has a murder committed in a different area of Paris, and really highlights the neighborhood's ambiance. Oddly enough, it seems like the people getting murdered have nothing to do with any case she's working on, but the mysteries are compelling enough for a fun read.

While in Paris, I stopped by a great little English language book store in the Marais, called the Red Wheelbarrow. They carry Cara Black; as well, as many other fiction and non fiction books set in Paris. It's worth a stop to pick out something for the flight home. I bought Murder in Rue de Paradis and read it while eating a croissant on my train ride to London. The experience made me feel like I was lingering in Paris just a little while longer.

Traveler's Bookcase
8375 West Third Street
Los Angeles, Ca 90048
tel: 323.655.0575

The Red Wheelbarrow
22, Rue St Paul
75004 Paris
tel: 0148047508

Guide Books For Foodies - Italy, Paris

When we were traveling around Italy on our honeymoon, Fred Plotkin's: Italy for the Gourmet Traveler was our bible. Encompassing all of Italy, it covers bakeries, markets, wine bars, restaurants of all price ranges, local cheese shops, regional culinary specialties, and so much more. If you are traveling to Italy and want to eat your way through, I seriously recommend you buy this book. It's hefty, but you'll be so happy you packed it. 

I have been searching for a similar guide for Paris and was not having any luck until I came upon Clotilde Dusoulier's new guide: Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris. If you are not familiar with Clotilde, she is the author of one of my favorite blogs, Chocolate & Zucchini. 

 And if there is one thing this girl knows, it's food. The new book is organized by arrondissements cataloguing  her favorite bakeries, restaurants, ice cream shops, chocolate stores, cheese shops, cafes, bars, and markets. She even gives tips for French etiquette and ordering. The best part is that you are getting advice from a true Parisian who loves food. C'est bon!

I Love Paris in the Spring Time...

Happy New Year! I already know 2009 will be a better year than 2008 because I am going to Paris in March! My lovely husband has given me a Christmas gift of a week in Paris and of course I am already planning our itinerary and brushing up on my very remedial French.

After searching endlessly for a non flea ridden reasonably priced hotel, I have settled on the Hotel Sainte Beuve, a boutique hotel situated on a quiet street on the left bank just a few blocks from the Luxembourg gardens.


The hotel lobby was designed by the late legendary designer David Hicks with rooms that look minimally stylish. As an added bonus, they have a real fireplace, which given the Paris weather, might be in operation in March. I came to my final decision to book the hotel based on the fact that they are recommended by Chic Retreats. Having stayed in other hotels listed on their website, I feel I can trust their judgement.


Also in the final running was the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais, a boutique hotel located in the Marais district with a very reasonable price (140 euros a night). The decor is definitely on the feminine side and may be better suited to a girls' getaway, but Caron de Beaumarchais is the place to stay if you are looking for your Marie Antoinette fix. I figure I'll just get that at Laduree and Versaille instead.

Laduree Beauty - France

Laduree purveyors of the definitive macaroon, have just added beauty products to their repertoire. Lotions, soaps, and bath gels are scented with almond: a key ingredient in the pastries they are known for. Each product comes in the exquisite signature Laduree green box, and would make a much more travel friendly souvenir then a box of sweets. I love that the bath gel bottle has a macaroon lid. Products are available at Laduree shops in France, Switzerland, London, Monaco, and Tokyo.

Flea Markets - Paris

One of the reasons I'm obsessed with going to Paris is that I have always wanted to shop the fabulous flea markets. The latest issue of Gourmet is all about Paris and has a nice little section about how to navigate the stalls. You can find the information on their website, as well as, restaurants, bars, and hotels. 

The Swell Apartment - Paris

I don't know what it is with me and "The City of Light." For the past two years, I have been fantasizing about a jaunt to Paris -- shopping the flea markets, sampling treats at Laduree.... I've been researching a possible excursion for the winter holidays, and came across this cute little apartment located in the Monmartre region of Paris. For those of you who don't know, Montmartre is home to the beautiful Sacre Coeur Church and the former haunt of artists: Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet. Teeny tiny, but perfect for a couple, this little beauty is full of feminine charms and a steal at 95 euros a night (there is a 3 night minimum.) Looks like it books up fast though, so it's best to plan ahead: www.swell-apartments.co.uk

Bensimon Shoes

Bensimon shoes, previously only available in Europe, are now being sold at Madewell in the Los Angeles Century City Mall. Their tennis shoes are so Parisian retro cool that I can imagine them being on the feet of Charlotte Gainsbourg or Sophie Marceau in the 80's film La Boum. They  look like they would pack well in a suitcase, are comfortable, and can be washed in a washing machine. If you're headed to France,  Bensimon has several retail locations where they also carry clothing, bags, bikes, home goods, and travel accessories.