Have you shopped at Printemps?

Printemps is a very large department store in Paris and shopping all four complexes may be a new experience. How was it? Do we need to balk at the price tag when factored into the exchange rate? Was the restaurant at the top floor worth a visit?

|||

Uh, Max, why do you think New York City is chock full of Europeans who come here with two or three empty suitcases? It%26#39;s because for them, everything is on sale, almost 60% off from where it was 5 years ago.

In other words, don%26#39;t expect to find too many bargains in Paris.

However, you will find shopping in Paris quite a pleasant experience.

|||

If by shopping you mean wandering from department to department %26quot;browsing%26quot; for nothing in particular, you will spend an entire day %26quot;doing%26quot; Printemps. I did wander through both Printemps and Galeries Lafyette(sp?). Guess I missed out on the shopping gene; one department store is about the same as another to me. I could have been in Bloomingdales, or Macey%26#39;s or Sak%26#39;s. I really wanted to see if there was a difference in how Paris department stores displayed their merchandise vs. US. I thought both stores rather blah. I think I was expecting something a little more edgy...think Neiman Marcus at Christmas time. I did buy hubby a tie...so original!

The Euro is trouncing both the Canadian and US dollars. There are no bargins.

Went up to the terrace at Printemps. It was a cloudy, Oct. day. Loved the view inspite of the bleek day. On a sunny, spring day it would be WOW! Think it would be a great spot for a cup of coffee in warmer weather.

|||

The department store that I like in Paris was BHV. It%26#39;s kind of a Home Depot and Macy%26#39;s rolled into one.

|||

I didn%26#39;t really shop there, but I have a suggestion for you. If you are in the store stop in at the restaurant on the 6th floor,the Brasserie Printemps. It is absolutely beautiful with a magnificent Art Nouveau ceiling of stained glass. The tabletops are mirrored so you can see the reflection as you eat. We had lunch there and it was excellent, but even if you don%26#39;t choose to eat there, I suggest stopping in to have a look!

|||

As of late last year, Printemps has a Paris map that offers a 10% off discount card on most purchases within a store. You may be able to find it in your hotel.

Whether there are any bargains would depend. Remember if you buy the European brand names, you might be able to get some savings after tax refund.

|||

Hello Tripadvisors,

That means I do not need to shop till I drop type of shopping! It will be just a browsing exercise for the visitor then. Yes, and I think the exchange rate does bite into our buying power.

|||

Hello Tripadvisors,

I am taking your advice and go up to the terrace for coffee if the view is so %26quot;wow%26quot; and look for the coupon book in the store then. I still would like to go and see.

|||

Printemps is a large department store indeed but not as large as galeries Lafayette.There is a Brasserie Flo in the Printemps de la mode store. Beautiful glass dome in shades of blue. The cafetaria on top of Printemps de la maison is good, you can sit outside and enjoy the views. Printemps is being renovated right now and there is always one level/floor that is closed plus they are changing the look of the store. It is becoming more up-scale which I do not think was necessary. I prefered it when it had more of a mix of styles and prices.

You can get a discount by using foreign (non european) passport even if you do not reach the amount for duty free discount.

I still prefer Printemps to galeries Lafayette except for Lafayette gourmet and Lafayette maison.

|||

It doesn%26#39;t take an advanced degree in global economic to know that the US dollar has gone into the tank, relative to the €uro. So don%26#39;t expect any bargains in Parisian stores and shops.

But...given the relative currency valuations, IF you are going to shop, these days it%26#39;s best to have a %26#39;..plan..%26#39; to try to mitigate some of the disadvantages of the US dollar.

There are two factors that you need to bear in mind. The first is that whatever the relative value of the USD to the €uro, there is a 19.6% VAT (Value Added Tax) applied to the selling price of most consumer goods in France. Non-EU tourist may recover some or all of this VAT when they depart the EU....but there are individual national requirements to qualify for a VAT refund. In france, the requirement is that you spend a MINIMUM of 175 € in the SAME store, on the SAME day. Spend 50 € in one store, 100€ in another store...then return to the second store a day or two later and send another 100€ and in the process you will have met the requirements for exactly ZERO in VAT refunds.

A large %26#39;..grand magazine..%26#39; like PRINTEMPS offers an immediate 10% discount at point-of-purchase (ONLY at point of immediate purchase) to holders of foreign passports. %26#39;grand magazins%26#39; also offer PARTIAL (12%) VAT refunds, in-store upon application, when you%26#39;ve completed your shopping...and you can prove that you%26#39;ve met the 175 minimum purchase requirement.

It%26#39;s not all that difficult to meet the 175€ minimum in a single store---a tie for dad, a scarf mom, a hat for aunt Fern, a cute little outfit for your toddler daughter...it adds up quicker than you can say %26quot;..Combien, sil vous plait ??..%26quot;.

So between the 10% point-of-purcahse discount and partial, in-store VAT refund...you can mitigate some of the sting out of lousy foreign exchange rates...if you %26#39;..concentrate..%26#39; your shopping/purchases.

PRINTEMPS VAT %26amp; Discount--

http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/

|||

all the department stores or grand magazins are amazing. Go into them all. the French really have the concept down. Have lunch at the 6th floor of Galleries and then have a coffee at Printemps. Printemps has the best view. Bon Marche epicerie has the best food (my opinion) but BHV is my store for shopping.