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France ShoppingTips 1 - 10 of 63  
Popular Shopping | Miscellaneous Shopping Tips | All Tips (63)
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'Le Domaine de FERRAGUS': ARMAGNAC - The Best Place to Buy It
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  • Updated By Lady_Mystique on October 17, 2004
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  • Madame Fourtet - France
    Madame Fourtet
    by Lady_Mystique
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    I was taken to this very special place that is neatly hidden away in the Gascogne region of SW France.
    Not many people (except locals and Armagnac connoisseurs) know of this place. It is one of the topmost Armagnac distillers in France.
    Those who expect only the very best come here to buy their Armagnac and Floc De Gascogne.
    I was given a tour by the proprietress, Madame Fourtet, who is third generation to run this exceptional distillery. At the end of my tour, Madame had samples available for me to taste before making my purchases.
    There were three ages of Armagnac available.
    I couldn't afford the oldest, but the next in line was still "Heaven in a Bottle" as far as I was concerned!! I also bought the very rich, seductively sweet Floc de Gascogne.

    SALUT ! ! !

    ARMAGNAC and FLOC de GASCOGNE

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: LARROQUE-SUR-L'OSSE, 32100 CONDOM
  • Phone: (62) 28.02.25

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    ATMs: You need money???
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  • Updated By Lady_Mystique on October 17, 2004
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  • French ATM machine - France
    French ATM machine
    by Lady_Mystique
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    In French, ATMs (automated teller machines) are 'distrbuteurs automatiques de billets' (DABs), or 'points argents'.

    ATM cards can give you direct access to cash reserves back home at a superior exchange rate.

    Although French banks limit the size of a transaction, only your home bank charges commission.

    Most ATMs are linked to the International Cirrus and Maestro networks.

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  • Theme: Other

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    BOOKS and BOOKSTORES
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  • Updated By Lady_Mystique on October 17, 2004
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  • Bookcover - France
    Bookcover
    by Lady_Mystique
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    Like the French (and most Europeans in general), I think it preferable to purchase whatever goods and services you need from the independent specialists.

    Buy your fish from the fishmonger, flowers from a florist, cheese from a *real* cheese shop, etc.
    This is the approach I use, especially when looking for travel books.
    I will go to travel bookstores, or independent bookstores with strong travel sections.
    The staff in these stores are usually more knowledgeable and therefore more helpful to you.
    The bad aspect I find in going to the larger chainstores is that travel guides tend to be shelved separately from travel writing and related history books, implying somehow that guidebooks are all a traveller needs or wants!
    Not *this* traveller!!

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  • Theme: Books

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    Laguiole Knives: Laguiole Knives
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  • Updated By ATLC on May 9, 2007
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  • FRANCE LAGUIOLE - France
    FRANCE LAGUIOLE
    by ATLC
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    The ultimate knife from France is the Laguiole knife (pronounced Lay-Yool).

    Handmade with a choice of handles in colourful synthetic or exotic woods or beautiful bone.

    For 15 years I have drooled in front of every shop that sells these knives. I own a good Swiss army knife and had no reason to trade it for a Laguiole knife. But I'm sure that some day I will.
    Now I bought a set of steak knives, with rosewood after long discussion with the lady in the shop about which knives to buy.

    The detail of these knives is exquisite. Not only the quality of the steel but also the rosewood handles with tiny copper nails as decoration. It is truly an investment for a beautiful heirloom.

    After I decided her husband sharpened the knives once and they were put in a wooden box. Then painstakingly wrote out a receipt.

    The brand Laguiole comes from the village Laguiole that unfortunately did not succeed in protecting its name as a brand name.
    For a hundred years it has fought legal battle with Thiers that also made the knives because Laguiole itself could not meet demands. In fact, for 50 years, no knife was made in the village Laguiole but in Thiers they went on making them. These days the different manufacturers make the knives in good accord and their quarrel is over.

    They started making the knives in the late 1800s and they became famous from 1860 on.

    The specific "bee" comes from Napoleon's coat of arms.

    € 200,- for 6 steak knives

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: in the center of Auxerre there's a good knives shop.
  • Website: http://www.knivesandtools.com/nl/stories/laguiole.htm

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    Chartreuse-Diffusion: The Elixir of Life!
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  • Updated By kiwi on May 21, 2005
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  • Elixir Végétal - France
    Elixir Végétal
    by kiwi
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    Buy this special treat at the cellars of the famed Chartreuse label, in the town, Voiron. the cellar is not located at the monastery in the hills.

    This is the Ultimate!! The Elixir of Life.
    Well that's the legend, in fact it's an alcohol vegetable liqueur.
    The legend says put a few drops on a sugar cube and suck it when you have a sore throat or cold.
    Beware, this stuff is 71% alcohol!!

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  • Theme: Food and Drink
  • Address: B.P. 102, 38503 Voiron
  • Phone: 04 76 05 81 77
  • Directions: The Chartreuse Cellars.

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    Wine Shopping in the Perigord
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  • Updated By Canadienne on March 28, 2003
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  • English Spoken with French Accent - France
    English Spoken with
    French Accent
    by Canadienne
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    This area of France, in and around Bordeaux, is known as one of the world's best wine-producing regions. Although you will find loads of places to buy wine along the Dordogne's little villages, St. Emilion is packed with them. In fact, it seems to exist for little reason other than its row upon row of wine shops. . .

    So, if you're in the market, this is an excellent place to go.

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  • Theme: Other

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    Various: Dazzled by Disney
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  • Updated By Cynthia_marie on February 29, 2004
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  • All the shops at Disneyland Resort in Paris, France basically sell the same things. Anything from clothing (and lots of it) to pricey crystal; postcards; snowglobes (I collect these); candy; and many, many household items.

    I purchased little souvenirs along Main Street. There is no shortage of stores here. The crowds can be a bit much; especially with all the strollers inside.
    Happy Shopping !!!

    Depending on what you want to buy is how much you will spend. A t-shirt is approx. 15 Euros.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Main Street, Disneyland
  • Directions: Just walk down the main street; can't miss the shops

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    Anywhere: Provence fabrics
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  • Updated By Maline on April 13, 2003
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  • "How much do you want?"
    by Maline
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    When in Provence, opt for the fabrics with typical provence patterns, consisting of small flowers, in warm colors mostly. There are also other patterns than flowers. See the picture for some samples.
    This makes beautiful table cloths and curtains to give your home a "provence touch" back home..!

    Depends on where you go, in department stores perhaps more than in the markets, but of course it also varies with the quality of the fabric.

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  • Theme: Local Craft

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    Petit Casino: Petit Casino
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  • By b1bob on January 9, 2004
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  • Petit Casino - France
    Petit Casino
    by b1bob
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    Casino is a national chain of grocery stores which come in every shape and size. Some also have a cafeteria, which is right good. In the smaller towns, Petit Casino is just a smaller version of the grocery store.

    At Petit Casino, you can buy the basic foods. For more extravagant cuisine, go to the larger Casinos.

    Casino is rather reasonable as they are located in more modest neighbourhoods, not just the snooty side of town.

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  • Theme: Food and Drink
  • Address: partout la France

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    ?: Wine
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  • By chess_machine on October 27, 2005
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  • France Shopping
    by chess_machine
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    To French, wine is extremely important. I reckon most French get their initiation to the art of drinking wine quite early. I personaly started drinking wine around 15 during 3 hours family sunday lunches. It is often so important that sometimes we forget other countries can actually produce wine as good as in France...

    Anyway, lets go to the main point, which is what kind of wine to buy.

    We have to divide wines in 3 categories: red, white and rosé;

    Most famous red wines are Bordeaux and Bourgogne. So many differences between the two kind of wines. I think, but am not a specialist, that Bourgogne is generally stronger than Bordeaux. Anyway, if you want to try French red wine, you have to try both. Other famous red wines are: Chateauneuf du Pape (quite expansive), Cotes du Rhone, Saumur, Beaujolais and many others.

    Best white wines come from Bordeaux, Alsace and Bourgogne. Include Chardonnay from Bourgogne, sweet wines (Montbazillac, Jurançon) near Bordeaux and famous Gewurtztrasminer and Riesling from Alsace. Muscadet wine from Nantes' region is also perfect for oysters.

    Rosé wine is best for pizzas and mainly drunk during summer. Most popular is Cote de Provence.

    If interested by French wine, you will find several books in bookstores, such as FNAC.

    Can go from a nice bottle at €5 to €1000 for an Yquem.

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  • Theme: Food and Drink

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