Buying perfume in Paris Market Places

Smaller shops stock the finer perfumes but I wouldn't trust that a market vendor's stuff would be authentic. Think Canal Street, NYC. The only shop I ever came across selling the good stuff was at St Denis and that's too far to go even for a good bargain. No doubt there are others.

I made a point of visiting a Fragonard store in Paris last year to purchase some violet perfume for a friend. They did not have vials though - to my knowledge. I believe bars of soap may have been an option. Check out their website and locations in Paris. http://www.fragonard.com/

Debbie

Vials of perfume that are indeed vile would be likely at vendors in a market place. Stay with the places off the beaten path, far from the famous perfume houses, and you should be fine with the little shops such as Fragonard and many others. Google perfume Paris and take your pick. None of it is cheap, but then, it's Paris, and you can find samples to take back to your friends.

Fragonard does indeed have perfume. You can also go in the Diptyque shop (Blvd St German in the 5th -- the far end of Blvd St Germain). For smaller shops, but not really boutique-y, you can go in any Marionnard. It's a chain of makeup/perfume shops (if smaller vs larger is your interest. But it's nothing fancy). A really Parisian perfumer is Frederic Malle, with several locations -- also Annick Goutal, Guerlain.

Here's a blog post that gives some ideas>

http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/tp/Best-Perfume-Shops-In-Paris.htm

I, too, recommend Fragonard. They give a nice little tour and a introduction to perfumes.

For men, I highly suggest Eau de Seducteur . Unfortunately they don't ship it on their website to North America, but every time I am in France I pick some up.

Also remember it will be difficult to find anywhere in a French airport that does NOT sell perfume. According to my wife the pricing was pretty good but not great. I just use the intergoogles or Amazon and buy when it's on sale.

I bet Sephora would have little samples, or major department stores.

I'd stick to fragrances or brands you can't find in the States, or be sure it's de-taxed. Last time we lived in Paris, seven years ago, I had my cousin from LA bring me a bottle of my Dior fragrance because it was cheaper in LA. Kim's addresses would be the way to go.

The grandaughter of Pierre Geulain has her own line, Parfums de Nicolai. When I first visited, she ran the one shop that existed (not far from the d'Orsay, if I remember correctly). It had recently opened, and I just stumbled across it. The line has grown and there are several shops in Paris. That would probably be a good place to look. I remember bringing home a number of gifts from there. Not sure what the prices are like now. You can get locations and prices from the web.

I adore the Fragonard Soaps! They sell a lovely little box of "guest soaps" with French "scenes" on the box that would make a grat gift! I actually always bring home a couple of boxes for myself !