However, tourists might find it difficult to navigate the many chains of supermarkets in Paris. Here are the names of Paris supermarkets to know if you’re ready to visit a supermarché.

Franprix

The chain with the most supermarkets in Paris, Franprix has at least one store in almost every neighborhood. Stores carry the brand “Leader Price,” one of the cheapest store brands available. Franprix offers decent produce, frozen selections and general grocery needs. Many locations are even open on Sundays and until 10 p.m. at night! This is by far the most popular supermarket choice.

Carrefour

The Walmart of France, Carrefour offers a huge variety of brand name and generic goods. Smaller Carrefour markets within Paris and larger Carrefour superstores just outside of the city limits are sure to please the most ardent grocery store addict.

Picard

While not the cheapest place to shop, Picard does offer an excellent selection of exclusively frozen goods (this is a good market if you have a freezer). You can get almost anything frozen for reasonable prices, considering the great quality. We recommend sampling the cupcakes at these Paris supermarkets.

Monoprix

Whenever anyone asks where to buy something, Monoprix is usually a good answer. Comparable to Target in the US, Monoprix also doubles as a great grocery store with inexpensive Monoprix brand products. Every arrondissement has at least one large Monoprix store in addition to smaller shops, called Monop’ Daily, for a quick sandwich or can of beans.

Related: Gourmet Picnic ideas for your Paris hotel room

Additional tips

Other Paris supermarkets to look out for include G20 and Coopérative U stores. And while not always as cheap, bodegas and corner markets sell small selections of food at reasonable prices (and stay open late!).

Be warned that most grocery stores close before 9 or 10 p.m. and—apart from a handful of Franprix stores—are rarely open on Sunday. Store brands are consistently cheaper than name brands, though the quality is not remarkably different. Plus, brands such as Leader Price and Monoprix now offer organic goods, so even organic shoppers can find a deal!

Related: Paris Outdoor Markets: 10 tips for budget shoppers

Your experience with Paris supermarkets

Do you have a favorite grocery store or supermarket in Paris? Tell us about it!

The post A guide to supermarkets in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The odds of finding an affordable, one of a kind bobble or trinket may not be in your favor — the real stuff carries real prices — but the chance is always there. Budget shoppers can have a field day here trying to find that one awesome item, as can those with significantly higher budgets.

The city has three markets of note, opened every weekend and easily accessible by the Metro. Go armed with a bit of cash, a few French phrases, a bottle of water, and plenty of patience to enjoy these institutions. Happy hunting!

Related: Tips for shopping at Paris Flea Markets

Hunting for treasures at Les Puces de Saint Ouen in Paris. Photo parisharing

Saint Ouen Flea Market

Metro: Porte de Clingancourt
When: Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 6 pm, Monday 11 am to 5 pm

The main marché aux puces that everyone uses as a reference point is the Marché Saint Ouen. Located just beyond the city limits to the north, it’s easily accessible via the line 4 at the station Porte de Clingancourt from Saturday to Monday. Follow the often disappointing stands of cheap souvenirs and off-brand jeans and you’ll eventually find alleys full of army surplus and other odds and ends leading to the real show.

The best bits are found around rue des Rosiers. Here, the tangle of streets houses several independent market, each one specializing in various antiques or home décor. There are even restaurants and cafés among the various stalls, so feel free to stop for a coffee or bite to eat between shopping.

The Marché Biron, with its red carpet and high-end antiques, might be a bit out of your league. But the Marché Dauphine, one of the largest of the markets housed indoors, could be the place to find a special treasure or two. Or get lost in the Marché Paul Bert Serpette to discover stall after stall of random, oftentimes useless objects.

Browsing through the vendors set up at Montreuil Flea Market. Photo J Marsh

Montreuil Flea Market

Metro: Porte de Montreuil
When: Saturday to Monday, 7 am to 7:30 pm

To the east, the puces at Montreuil is a Saturday to Monday affair where hundreds of vendors take up a spot around metro station Porte de Montreuil to sell their wares. Unlike Saint Ouen, it does not feature permanent stalls. Instead, vendors may just spread a blanket on the ground selling individual shoes while further down a true antique dealer will hawk near-priceless lamps and works of art.

The fleas are also the place to search for vintage clothes, and the Marché de Montreuil features many secondhand clothes dealers. True treasure seekers may be disappointed, but it’s still worth a walk on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Flea Market at Porte de Vanves

Metro: Porte de Vanves
When: Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm

To the south, the puces at Vanves, at metro station Porte de Vanves, occupies avenues March Sanglier and Georges Lafenestre every weekend from 7 am to 2 pm. More akin to a giant yard sale, this is the place to find works of art, religious statues, or other random objects to take home.

Browse the nearly 400 vendors before making your choice — but if you are sure about a purchase, feel free to feign disinterest and see if you can haggle the price down a bit. It’s worth a shot!

Vide Greniers

The weekend puces are open year-round, but they aren’t the only place to stock up on other people’s possessions. The vide greniers — literally “empty the attic” — are periodic yard sales in the streets of Paris. Think of them as pop-up puces.

These events can range from neighborhood-wide markets to just a few tables. The schedule is fairly accurate on this website, so check in to see what’s on nearby during your stay.

Tips for before hitting the markets

No matter which market you end up at, prep your wallet. Most merchants will prefer cash, though some of the bigger vendors will accept credit cards, especially when their chairs and end tables cost hundreds of euros. Just be careful with your money, as you always should be, when browsing the markets. Everyone is a potential victim for pickpockets.

AftRelated: Paris Shopping Tips: How to save on a shopping spree

Otherwise, take your time to wander the enormous collections of products available and cross your fingers that you’ll find something affordable and unique to take home with you.

The post Paris: A Guide to shopping at the top flea markets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It’s a weekly ritual for many Parisians, but there’s no reason that the casual tourist can’t stock up on a few snacks or picnic supplies as well.

Here’s our guide on how to tackle the often intimidating world of outdoor food markets, along with a few of our favorite picks.

Related: 50 Ways to save time and money in Paris

Where and when

There are dozens of markets all over the city on different days of the week. It’s best to consult the city’s official guide for the nearest one or check out Secrets of Paris which has extensive listings. They usually open early in the morning, by 7 am and begin closing around 1 pm, though it all depends on the market.

Many shoppers want to head to the famous Raspail Market or to one of the fancy organic markets — but the prices usually keep me away. Instead, head to some of the more budget-friendly ones.

The most popular markets are the Marché d’Aligre open daily except Monday. The covered market attached to the outdoor stalls houses a beer stand, cheese shops, and a specialty olive oil store. The market on Richard Lenoir by Bastille, open on Thursday and Sunday, is enormous and full of every imaginable food product. Real Cheapos will head to the Belleville market on Tuesday and Friday to brave other Parisians looking for some of the cheapest produce around. Here’s a guide to our favorite

Preparing for a trip to the market

Come to the market ready, armed with the necessities. First, don’t come too hungry or else you’ll want to buy too much. Be smart about it!

Do come with enough bags to carry everything home. Markets are still using small colored plastic bags for individual items, but it’s best to have a larger canvas bag or basket to put everything in afterwards. Having ten plastic bags cutting into your fingers is not the lasting impression we want at the market.

Related: 10 Tips for shopping at Paris markets

Also come with spare change. While some market vendors do accept credit card, most prefer cash. It’s best to have lots of loose change to get as close as possible to the right amount, because busy sellers don’t have time to do lots of math when the clients are queuing — but they are really, really good at fast math.

Market etiquette

So once you arrive at the market, where do you begin? I like to do a few laps to spot the items I want, to check out prices, and to enjoy the atmosphere before I start buying. Some merchants will be cutting up pieces of fruit to sample while others will beckon you to their stalls. Be friendly, but don’t feel pressured to buy anything you don’t want.

Related: 10 French phrases to help you save

When you approach a stall to purchase, don’t immediately touch anything. Most of the cheaper markets (read: any that I go to), allow you to choose your own tomatoes and lettuce. You take what you want in a plastic bag and they weigh it, then you pay for all of your items.

Some sellers, however — and you’ll know which ones I am talking about — are a bit fussier. At these more pristine stands, food will be a bit more orderly and the seller will choose for you. It’s normal, and if you see them putting a bad apple in the bag, you can speak up about it. They’ll weigh it and you’ll pay. Just be careful if you’re not aware of how heavy a kilo is. It’s better to say you want a few handfuls of spinach than a kilogram, which may not end up fitting into your shopping bag.

Buying produce

When it comes to the food, there are things to remember. The French are into seasonal eating, so strawberries in February will be costly since they are coming from a greenhouse somewhere. In the springtime, the market sellers are practically giving them away. So look for items that match the season, and also those that were grown in France, which haven’t traveled so far and are thus probably relatively seasonal.

Related: Shopping success at outdoor food markets in France

Of course some items are never grown locally — limes, pineapples, or bananas — so don’t go crazy. Buy what you need, and as little or as much as you want. You can just buy five apples if that’s all you want from a stand. That’s five less that the sellers will have to worry about at the end of the day.

Fresh seafood at a stand at an outdoor market in Paris. Photo: Erica Firment

Other foods

Markets are also full of stalls selling cheese, seafood, eggs, meats, wine, bread, pastries, prepared foods, even pizzas and coffee. Plan on going for lunch and walk away with a baguette, slices of cheese and ham, and a bit of fresh fruit, but bring an extra bag for a few bottles of wine or packages of olives for later.

Again, there’s no reason to buy ten kilograms of cheese. Just get a little slice of two or three cheeses to experience them — the cheese monger will usually indicate how much he or she is going to cut, and you simply say more or less.

Final tip: Shop like a local!

If you are in Paris for a while (or even a few days), try to create a rapport with market vendors you appreciate. My veggie guys always throw in a few extras since I’m a faithful client, and that bit extra helps make the experience that much more enjoyable. Heading to the market is a much better way to engage with Paris than just stopping by Monoprix – and it’ll end up being cheaper! Now let’s get out there and shop. Here are a few of our favorite places…

A guide to the best markets for Cheapos

Marché Bastille
Métro: Bastille or Richard Lenoir
When: Thursday and Sunday, 7 am -2:30 pm

One of the biggest and most popular markets in the city, this is a must-for anyone who wants to stock up on produce with the rest of Paris. Seemingly endless stalls of fruits, vegetables, and cured meats dominate the market, while several stands selling prepared dishes like fresh paella and sandwiches are great lunch options

Marché d’Aligre
Métro: Ledru-Rollin
12th aar
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am -1 pm

A local market that guidebooks made famous, Marché d’Aligre attracts those interested in a more sedate market experience without sacrificing quality — or quantity for that matter. The unique feature is a covered section with specialty products like flowers, olive oil, and craft beer.

Marché de Belleville
Métro: Belleville
When: Tuesday and Friday, 7 am -2:30 pm

In the culturally diverse Belleville, this market is popular among the neighborhood’s many Asian shoppers. Marché de Belleville may not be the most photogenic market, but the cheap prices and plentiful produce make it a solid option for budget seekers.

Marché Barbès
Métro: La Chapelle
When: Wed,  7 am – 1 pm, Saturday,  7 am – 3pm

Marché Barbès has all of the hustle and bustle of a North African souk, so don’t go bother being too polite. Shoppers shove and snake their way through this dense market where you can find random collections of food items — potentially expired butter, for example — but don’t worry, those are just “sell-by” dates. Right?

Marché Maubert-Mutalité
Métro: Maubert-Mutalité,
When: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday,  7 am – 2:30 pm

The Left Bank has markets, too, and this tiny one, not too far from Notre Dame, is one of the oldest. Go to Marché Maubert-Mutalité for the fresh produce and other random goods hawked here, like scarfs or binoculars. The market’s backdrop is a textbook example of French shopping with a boucherie, charcuterie, poissonnerie, fromagerie, and boulangerie all lined up nice and neatly.

The post Paris: Tips for shopping at the best outdoor food markets for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Based on my experience, here are a few tips on how to experience a guilt-free shopping spree in Paris.

Now, let’s tally forth!

Paris shopping tips for budget travelers

1. Timing is key

Bargain hunter to the core? Try to schedule your trip during one of the citywide sales. The “Soldes d’hiver” launch in January and continue through February, while the “Soldes d’ete” are on tap to woo for six weeks in June and July.

Also, during the sales the prices start to drop and keep on dropping, so it’s a judgment call as to whether to pounce early and get the best selection, or wait it out a little and get the best deals. To be perfectly honest, I do both.

O, my deer! Do consider a basic shopping kit prior to your trip. A scene from a Bon Marché window. Photo: T. Brack

2. Be Prepared

Prior to setting out, consider your basic shopping kit: water bottle, moleskin (for blisters), a snack, Métro tickets, maps with targeted shops circled, and coins for WCs. And don’t forget a sturdy bag for your treasures. Most French grocery stores sell them at checkout for just a few cents. Lightweight and good-looking, they make perfect souvenirs, too.

My sister Wendy suggests also packing a camera for self-portraits, and snaps of celebrities like Lenny Kravitz. “Are you going our way?” we recently cried as he sped past us on his bike, near the Opéra. I don’t think he heard us because, well, he didn’t stop.

Regarding rooftop selfies: #Holdontotheledge

Visualization always helps me narrow my Great Hunt. A scene from a Printemps’ window. Photo: T. Brack

3. Plan of Action

Have a “quest” in mind, since visualization will help narrow your hunt while increasing your chances of finding the object of your desire.

What’s missing from your closet? Ballet slippers? Trench coat? Both are timeless French classics. Or perhaps you covet a Longchamp tote? Heck, we’ve been there. How about just a nice pair of shoes? Nobody’s going to judge you. It’s Paris, after all. So grab a pen and create a wish list.

Are you going our way? If so, take the bus, Gus! A scene from a Galeries Lafayette window. Photo: T. Brack

4. Getting around

Time is precious. However, it’s possible to visit two fashion-related exhibitions, three monuments, four department stores, and five prime (and affordable) shopping districts—all in one day. Lean in, because it’s true. Mine eyes have seen the glory!

What’s my secret? Get on the bus, Gus. For the price of a Métro ticket, you’ll not only cruise between the shopping districts with the greatest of ease, but also boast about your first scores of the day while the panorama of Paris rolls by en route to the next shopping district. You can use the same ticket for rides on several buses taken within 90 minutes of the first time you get it stamped.

To cite just one example, there are several personal favorite shopping meccas along the “95” bus route: Montmartre-Abbesses, Boulevard Haussmann, the Opéra district rue de Rivoli, and rue de Rennes. Talk about wheeling and dealing!

My sister Wendy documenting the Eiffel Tower and favorite sacred shopping grounds at Place de la Madeleine. Photo: T. Brack

5. Favorite Shopping ’Hoods

I’m no diva, but I do like to shop-hop without a lot of hassle. Focusing not only on the place but also on the journey—i.e., on the experience of the visit itself—I’m always on the prowl for historic shopping zones as well as scattered districts where clusters of stores may carry similar items.

Here are a few more favorite shopping havens. I call it my T-Zone:

• Passage du Havre at Gare St-Lazare
• Magasin Décathlon at Place de la Madeleine
• Le Bon Marché at Métro Sevres-Babylone
• the whole stretch of rue de Rennes, along with Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Champs-Élysées, rue de Rivoli
• BHV at Hôtel de Ville.

Related: Our 10 favorite shopping districts in Paris

You’ll find a pocket of vintage clothing shops in the Marais. Photo: T. Brack

6. Paging Secondhand-Roses

Possess a mad penchant for collecting the garb of yesteryear? I’m with you, step by step. Paris still gives me a strong Proustian dose of solidarity with both past and present. Throughout Paris, you’ll find pockets of “friperies” (second-hand clothing shops) and “depôts-ventes” (consignment shops), but especially in Abbesses and the Marais.

Also, Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV) now boasts a new vintage clothing department. Here you’ll find retro garb, along with gently used bags, scarves, hats, and shoes. During one of my recent sleuthing trips, I spied more than a few big name Catherine Deneuve-worthy trench coats here—but without their usual exorbitant price tags.

Related: Know you secondhand shopping vocabulary in Paris

Getting all Tête-à-Tête at the Porte de Vanves Flea Market. Photo: T. Brack

7. Flea Markets

Don’t leave Paris without at least one trip to the Porte de Vanves Flea Market. I’ve also scored big at the “brocantes” (antique/junk sales) and the vide-greniers (neighborhood-wide attic sales). Down through the years, I’ve found pink Valentino heels, black boots by Charles Jourdan, and a pointy brassiere by Maison Cadolle handmade in the 1940s. And none cost more than 30 euros.

Click here for the 2016 listing of brocantes, vide-greniers and marches aux puces.

Related: Shopping tips for flea market success in Paris

Keep your peepers peeled for pickpockets whist browsing through the bargain bins. Photo: T. Brack

8. Bargain Bins

I often find my bargain bin bliss at the Sympa shops on rue Steinkerque and along Boulevard de Rochechouart . Located at the foot of Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, the stock is always in rotation. Here you’ll find Kookai, Jennyfer, and Naf-Naf, along with Best Mountain, Etam, and Undiz, but at a fraction of their original cost.

Don your elbow pads, eat a hearty breakfast, and keep your peepers peeled for pickpockets. Game on!

Galeries Lafayette’s Belle Époque rocking dome has never failed to bring me to tears. Photo: T. Brack

9. Grand Magasins

Paris boasts four famous old department stores. Bon Marché, Printemps, and Galeries Lafayette are conveniently located along the Métro 12 line, while Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV) holds court next to the Hôtel de Ville. Winding it back to the Belle Epoque, they’d lure the Cheapos of that day inside with displays of discounted silk remnants (a.k.a. “coupons”—literally “piece cut off,” from couper “o cut”).

Here’s how to get a few coupons of your own.

Don’t discount the tourist discount cards because every little bit counts. Photo: T. Brack

Tourist Discount Cards at BHV and Galeries Lafayette

Both BHV and Galeries Lafayette offer tourist discount cards, which knock off 10% on selected items. To score G.L.’s “Exceptional 10% Discount” card, present your passport at the information desk on the store’s ground floor near the rue Mogador entrance.

You’ll find BHV’s “-10% offer*” discount voucher on their website. Print it before leaving home and then present it at the welcome desk, along with your passport. It’s just that easy!

Department store house brands are often slashed by 20% to 50% during the big sales. A scene from Printemps. Photo: T. Brack

House Brands

Don’t miss the department store house brands. Affordable, well-made, and sporting souvenir-worthy labels, the collections feature bags, scarves, and sweaters. During the two annual sale periods (mentioned above), price tags are slashed by 20-50%.

Plus, Galeries Lafayette and BHV’s house brands are often eligible for the tourist discount. So do request your card. As my grandmother put it, “It all adds up.”

We always feel snappy and happy like room without a roof up on the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette. Photo: T. Brack

Rooftop Views

For years now, I’ve carried on a torrid love affair with the rooftop café at Printemps. Here, the wine is affordable and the panoramic view of the Tour Eiffel, the Opéra Garnier, and Sacré Coeur is free. The roof of Galeries Lafayette also sweetly tempts with its faux green grass and funky red plastic chairs and sofas.

But now, there’s a new roof in town. Not to be outdone in the potted plant department, Le BHV Marais now has its very own rooftop terrace. “Perchoir Marais” is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, after the store closes. It’s another win-sin.

As Oscar Wilde once quipped, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.”

I completely agree. Happy Hunting!

The post Paris Shopping Tips: How to save big on your shopping spree appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Even with a stronger dollar, very few made-in-France goods are really “affordable” to begin with. Even Parisians pay an arm and a leg for some of these fashionable and sweet-smelling products so associated with the French capital.

So before you start compiling a list of all the très Français items you wish to stock up on, here’s a sanity check to keep your expectations — and your budget — in line. After all, it might just be cheaper to buy these at home!

1. Luxury bags and accessories

Whether it’s a Chanel clutch or a Louis Vuitton handbag, people come to Paris, the heart of it all, to stock up on these luxury goods. The problem? They’re not really much cheaper here than back at home. It’s just more fun to say, “I got this in Paris.”

Budget option: If you do stock up on some of these fancy items during your trip and you’re not a citizen of the European Union, don’t forget to get a tax refund. That alone can make these items much more affordable. However, note that you must spend a minimum amount during your trip.

2. Fashion

Same goes for the clothes. Yes, designers are a dime a dozen in Paris, but that doesn’t mean their goods are any less expensive. Things might actually be cheaper at home from a department store during a sale. Visit the Gaultier and Givenchy shops, but don’t expect to leave with any steals. Even during the twice-annual sales (“soldes”), their prices aren’t going to budge too much.

Budget options: Try a vintage shop, maybe, and even then you’re still not guaranteed a good price. Also, follow our cheapo-friendly fashion itinerary, buy your lingerie for less here, and if all else fails, pick up high-end designers for less at these big chains.

3. Perfume

The perfume capital of the world, tourists so often think that fragrances for men and women flow freely from Paris, but that’s not the case. Your best bet is to wait until you pass through the duty free shop at the airport (although, to be sure, it is much less elegant!). What you will find in Paris’s perfumeries are some more unique scents that aren’t available in department stores in the US. Very cool, but again, no deals to be had.

Budget option: You could just stop for free samples along the Champs-Elysées or visit the free Perfume Museum.

4. Champagne

Another luxury item, Champagne isn’t starkly cheaper in Paris than back home. Bottles still run €40, €50 and €60 depending on the brand – not much cheaper than what you can find in America. Granted, the selection is far greater, so it’s definitely a different experience.

Budget option: For a much more budget-friendly (and still exquisite) option, consider trying some of the French crémant, any bubbly white wine not issued from Champagne. Some of it is really, really good, and quite affordable. Read more wine-buying tips.

Prepare to shell out many euros for a classic French meal like this one at Chez Michel. Photo: Kent Wang

5. Quality French fare

This is France! French food should be cheap, right? Not always. If you are looking for a good, quality, authentic French meal, you might have to open your wallet a little wider. Classic bistros, formerly local places with homey, traditional cooking, are becoming rarer as they’re replaced with less authentic options that heat up pre-made meals. Meanwhile, most of the remaining old-fashioned gems have gotten expensive. (Of course if you’re happy for a bit of frozen duck heated in the microwave, you can still find that for cheap.)

Budget option: Try one of these prix-fixe deals from a classic bistro at lunch time or be prepared to splurge a bit for a nice dinner.

6. Flea market finds

Talking about shopping at the “puces” (flea markets) in Paris conjures up images of finding tiny treasures for mere euros. To be fair, there is a lot of cheap stuff at the flea market, but probably the stuff you’d actually want will take some serious digging. Furthermore, it can get quite pricey at the markets, especially since certain halls cater to high-end antiques and oddities that cost thousands of euros.

Budget option: You might want to check out the Marché Vernaison, which tends to have more affordable objects, before wandering too far into the rest of the market. Also, follow these tips for flea market success.

7. High kicking entertainment

The can-can! The cabaret! Paris is just lousy with dance halls dating back to the 19^th century where topless women dance and merriment abounds. Yes, that’s all true, but it’s not cheap.

Tourists looking to take in a show at the Moulin Rouge are often surprised by the €90+ price tag. While it’s not insanely expensive (have you seen Broadway ticket prices recently?), it’s just not what many travelers might be expecting. You’ve been warned. A night out can-can ruin your budget!

Your budget surprises?

Have you been surprised by any other prices while visiting Paris? Share with us in our comments section below!

The post Paris: 7 popular items that cost more than you think (and simple ways to save on them) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But Paris has always had its friperies, inexpensive secondhand clothing shops where you have to dig through piles of cast-offs to find a vintage pearl.

Here are a handful of top good value addresses where Parisians go for a wallet-friendly vintage fashion shopping spree.

Free’P’Star

With three locations all within five minutes walking distance of one another in the Marais, this annoyingly named boutique (a franglais play on the French word fripe, which means “second-hand clothing”) is a favorite for men and women’s clothing and accessories. Always mobbed and packed to the gills with stock at low prices. They don’t buy clothes from customers on site or sell merchandise online so the only way to hunt for vintage gems is in person (bring your elbows). Open every day of the year.

Kilo Shop

If you’re looking for clothes by the pound, head to Kilo Shop, with a flagship in the Marais and another location in the 6th. Like Free’P’Star, they don’t buy on site. You can weigh your own pile of vintage loot on scales provided throughout the store. The per kilo price of clothes is indicated by colored buttons and the goods here are organized into racks by type making for a slightly less chaotic shopping experience.

Vintage Désir

Located on rue des Rosiers in the site of a former hair salon, this great inexpensive vintage shop is often mistakenly called “Coiffeur Vintage.” Vintage Désir is tiny and cluttered with new arrivals daily. Dresses start at €10. Open daily; check it out on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.

Guerrisol

With four locations in the 9th and 18th, Tunisian bargain depot Guerrisol is a classic down-and-dirty destination for vintage lovers to rummage for clothes, shoes and accessories. Be prepared to dig.

The post Cheap Vintage Shopping in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

French magazines and bloggers have long extolled the joys of the American nail salon and the affordable stateside luxury that is the mani-pedi. But until recently it was hard to find an inexpensive place to get your nails done in a city obsessed with beauty.

So to try and bridge the gap between high-end, time-consuming, budget-busting Paris beauty institute manicures and so-called medical pedicures (an expensive and clinical French ritual as daunting as it sounds), a new generation of reasonably priced, NYC-inspired nail bars have popped up around the city. Here are a few of our favorites:

Culture of Color

More than 200 OPI nail colors and prices that start at €6 for a simple polish change (and start at a reasonable €21 for a manicure and €37 for a pedicure) make the sleek, modern Culture of Color a good choice. The chain also has multiple locations around the city.

Nail Factory

Decorated with polished concrete and industrial furniture in a nod to New York style, Nail Factory has three locations in Paris. They use OPI products, and polish changes start at €5, with full-on manicures from €19.90.

Paris New York

At this chic NYC-inspired nail bar at 38 rue de Varenne in the 7th arrondissement, there’s a flat screen and a wandering iPad to entertain you while you get your OPI polish changed for as low as €5. Call 01 42 84 02 39 for an appointment.

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There is a minimum purchase and a bit of paperwork to fill out, plus you will need to leave extra time at the airport to have your goods verified by customs. But a 12% refund will help take the sting out of the weak dollar-to-euro exchange rate for those who plan to do some serious shopping and don’t want to rely on the limited selection in airport duty free shops, where spare time and boredom might lead you to impulse purchases you will later regret.

When in Doubt, Ask

Large department stores like Galeries Lafayette and many smaller retailers and boutiques offer a tourist tax refund (look for the word détaxe or Global Blue Tax Free Shopping on store windows or signs). But if you don’t see a détaxe sign, just ask, as shop keepers may be willing to do the paperwork if it means you will make a large purchase.

Minimum Requirements

In France, you are required to make €175 of purchases on the same day in the same store in order to qualify for the refund. So if you’re planning to make a large purchase, or a number of small ones, be sure to shop smart and consolidate the damage to a single outing. (This minimum amount differs depending on the country. Check the minimum requirement on this interactive map.)

Be sure to bring your passport along to prove you are not a resident before paying. You will receive a receipt as well as tax forms to sign and present upon leaving the country.

Keep in mind that you have to take your goods out of the country less than three months after purchase to be eligible.

At the Airport

Your trip to Paris will have invariably given you some experience waiting in lines, which will come in handy as you wait your turn to have your tax forms verified and stamped by a customs officer. Be sure to have your passport as well as your boarding pass on you. And don’t forget to visit the customs office before checking your bags since depending on how lazy or suspicious the customs agent is, you may have to present your tax-free items as physical evidence before getting your form stamped.

At that point if you paid for your purchase in cash, you can get in another line to get your cash refund in euros. If you plan to travel to Europe again in the future, stash that money away to make your next landing a bit softer. Whatever you do, do not exchange your euros for dollars right there at the change office as the exchange rates are not in your favor.

If you used a credit card to make your purchase, skip the line and use a pre-stamped envelope that will be provided to you by the tax refund office to mail in your forms (look for special mailboxes near the tax office).

Just keep in mind that it may take a few months before you see the credit on your card statement. But when it comes it will feel like Christmas!

The post To save on shopping in Paris, don’t ignore this tourist perk appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The French have a decidedly studied approach to skincare and beauty, and a trip to the Paris pharmacy offers a wealth of affordable, good value, time-tested lotions and potions like multi-purpose Homeoplasmine ointment, non-irritating make-up remover Bioderma Sensibio H2O, moisturizing Embryolisse face cream, life-changing Khlorane dry shampoo and other celebrated French beauty and skincare products.

Many cult French pharmacy brands are now available online in the U.S., usually at a considerable mark-up (a tube of Homeoplasmine, for example, will run you a couple of euros at the Paris pharmacy; buying it on Amazon can cost upwards of $30).

Stocking up while on French soil is a great way to save, but keep in mind that just because there is a green pharmacie light beckoning you on every Paris street corner, not all French pharmacies are created equal. Head to these top three Paris pharmacy hotspots for the city’s best selection and prices.

City Pharma
26 Rue du Four, 75006

Largely considered the cheapest source for French beauty products in Paris, City Pharma is located on the corner of rue Bonaparte and rue du Four in the 6th arrondissement. Expect it to be packed with locals and beauty pilgrims browsing the aisles full of leading French brands like La Roche-Posay, Vichy, Avène, Bioderma, Caudalie, Nuxe and more. This spot is an especially good bet if you are looking to buy favorite products in bulk.

Pharmacie des Archives
2 Rue des Archives, 75004

The slightly more under the radar Pharmacie des Archives, located across from the BHV department store near Hotel de Ville in the Marais, is smaller and often less crowded. They have a generally friendly, helpful staff, are happy to give out samples with your purchase (not always a given in Paris) and offer competitive prices on all the star products and more. And the Pharmacie des Archives is conveniently open Sundays (an a.m. visit before the rest of the neighborhood wakes up is a good bet).

Pharmacie Monge
74 Rue Monge, 75005

Located on rue Monge in the 5th arrondissement, Pharmacie Monge is another popular destination for French beauty bargains. Brace yourself for crowds. And if you don’t see something that you are looking for on the shelves, be sure to ask. Many products are stored behind the counter with the medicine.

The post 3 Paris Pharmacies That Sell French Beauty Products for Less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a quick overview of the markets selling secondhand goods in Paris:

Marchés aux puces

At the top of the list we have the marchés aux puces, the big organized flea markets that set up shop permanently around the extremities of the city at Porte des Vanves or at St-Ouen, the largest in all of Europe.  Here you’ll find everything from cheap army surplus to vintage Chanel, so it’s not all budget shopping.

The puces are a great experience in any case, and there’s always something for someone.

Brocantes

If you’ve already been to the puces and want to try something different, look for local brocantes where antique vendors and collector bring arrays of secondhand goods to specific locations for pop-up flea markets.  They are usually organized well in advance on sites like this one.

At a brocante, you may find a treasure, you may not, but price tags are generally affordable for those patient enough to sift through the wares.  Look for them at places like the Village St-Paul, the Marché d’Aligre, or around the Square du Temple.

Vide greniers

At the bottom of the ladder are the vide greniers, the “attic sales” where locals bring their used home goods, dishware, furniture, and all sorts of odds and ends to be sold at largely negotiable prices.

Less organized than the brocantes, the vide greniers are no less a shopper’s paradise for something unique to take home.  Just scout out ones near where you’ll be staying and get up early to rummage through before everything is picked over.  They are often organized in each arrondissement and may be held in front of churches or on larger boulevards by food markets.

Braderie, bric à brac, and vintage

In the same vein as the brocantes and vide greniers, look for words like braderie, bric à brac, and vintage so that you know you’re dealing with secondhand goods.  You’ll often see markets or stalls with the word créateur in the title, denoting that local artisans are selling their goods directly, so prices are general higher, and haggling is less entertained.

No matter which type of market, you’re bound to find souvenirs more unique than another Eiffel Tower key chain!  Happy shopping!

The post Paris: Know your secondhand shopping vocabulary appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.