Shop Like A Parisienne (Part 2)
On my visits to Paris over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time shopping. But I sensed that I was barely scratching the surface, and probably missing out on some real finds. So on this visit, we signed up for a guided shopping excursion with Paris Shopping Tour. You can read Part 1 here, which covers the clothing boutiques we visited.
Bright Baubles And Shoe Shopping In Paris
Before we get to the shoes though, let’s look at some fun Parisian-made baubles…
Just off rue Etienne Marcel we were buzzed into the boutique of Gripoix Paris.
These costume jewelry pieces featuring colored glass are handmade right in the atelier. We were allowed to go upstairs and see one of the artisans in action, though were not allowed to photograph. Gripoix Paris has done custom work for many of the big designers including Gucci, Chanel, and Saint Laurent.
While these aren’t inexpensive pieces, the workmanship is beautiful.
They let me try on a tiara, which I left at the store, but I did come home with that faux pearl bracelet…
Each piece is unique, and there are over 100 colors of glass used in their creations.
But I know you’re wondering about the shoes…
Chatelles Paris designs and manufactures customizable “slippers” (flats) in lots of fun styles and colors. With the goal of marrying elegance and comfort, they only carry flats. And yes, the shoes are comfortable! There’s padding in the insole and a bit of arch support. The designs are delightful too.
Many of the styles can be customized with tassels or initials.
The designer François du Chastel came up with the concept when he designed a pair of shoes for a lady-love, with the verse from Victor Hugo shown above (which translates as “I cannot remain… far away from you any longer” engraved inside. (We actually met the designer briefly when he stopped into the boutique while we were there. Very handsome!)
You KNOW I didn’t walk out of there empty-handed….
These tweed mules had my name all over them…
I kind of surprised myself with these. I thought they were fun and funky, but fell in love the moment I tried them on.
Who could resist those charming little lobsters? They’re a great way to add a bit of panache to my casual jeans looks.
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Old School And A Modern Concept…
Founded in 1803, L’Officine Universelle Buly in the 6th offers natural, high-quality, French-made fragrances and products for body and home. They now have a few locations worldwide, but this is the original shop. We stopped here toward the end of the day, and it was a short, if intriguing visit. I’d really like to go back and explore this shop more, and try a few of their products. If you’re looking for some unique gifts, this would be a great stop. Some of their packaging looked familiar, and I realized I’d also seen some of their products online.
I brought home their catalog, which is really a treat to peruse as well.
And last but not least, not your usual “souvenir” shop…
Gab & Jo is the kind of shop you could spend all day in. Everything here is made in France, and it’s a great place to stop in for little gifts. Clothing, accessories, items for the home, cards, goofy tchotchkes, it’s all there. But not the same plastic junk you find everywhere else. I picked up this cute card and a face mask that I’ll probably try out over the weekend.
If you’re planning a visit to Paris and shopping is on your agenda, I highly recommend Paris Shopping Tour. It was such a great introduction to some uniquely French boutiques and brands!
Read Part 1 of my adventure with Diane of Paris Shopping Tour.
More Fun Flats
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored nor did I receive any compensation or consideration from Paris Shopping Tour, or any other entity.
Please note: my content is being re-published by other websites without my permission. If you’re not reading this post at https://unefemmenet.wpengine.com, please click link to read where originally posted.
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Oh my… thank you so much for that flat shoe shop. Nexttime I am in Paris I am soooo visiting that shop. I mean, if you have to have flat shoes, these are at least fun! Love the lobster shoes you bought. I am going to go in there and get some advice on which kind of flat shoes look good on my flat feet with no instep. The brCelet you bought is very chic.
You did so well. What a great idea to employ The Paris Shopping Tour.
So interesting. Thanks for posting about this!
Oh, my gosh! I am so excited about those shoes! Soooo cool.
The jewelry is great, too — statement earrings are so trending now. And earrings are the kind of trend I CAN indulge myself with.
This is really a fun post. Loved it. Thanks.
Being a “shoes and scents” person, I loved this post. Merci.
Fantastic fun. I so enjoyed!
What a fun post! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us!
Lovely jewelry and shoes…thanks for sharing! I noticed all shoes were closed toe…are open toes out of style?
Hi Cheryl Ann, not at all, that’s just what this brand seems to specialize in. I saw plenty of sandals in Paris too.
The shoes were fantastic! I have to tell my podiatrist about that shop. He is always asking me why women don’t buy more flats-I think if they knew flats like this existed they would embrace them! Such wonderful clothes and memories from your trip!
Such an interesting post with a couple of places to put on my list for my next visit. I’ve been to Buly, both the original and now the one in the Marais. Their products are so French. I like the face cream in a tube for traveling. Gab & Jo is unique. I’m glad to know they are still there.
Love the shoes…love your style!
You actually bought those lobster flats, right?
You bet! I’m actually wearing them now. 😉
Just checked the price. At 210 euros, they would have to remain “loin de moi.”
Give us an update later to let us know if they were worth the splurge. (I’ll bet they were!) (And update us on that Missoni jacket — that one is still my all-time favorite of your “finds”.)
Interestingly, for those of you who fell in love with the Chatelle shoes, there’s a shoe store in San Francisco called NOBEL on Sutter street that brings shoes from France and Italy that are just as whimsical. If in SF, check it out!!
You were born to wear a tiara.
I’m afraid I would have had to take those Lobster flats too; they are divine! xx
I’ve admired the Chatelle shows through the window a few times going back and forth from our hotel in St. Germain, and I think you’ve probably pushed me through the door. . . I might reinforce our once-upon-a-time Show Twin status (Go Fluevogs!). . .
What a fun post and thanks for expanding my shopping knowledge of Paris. . .
I love everything about your shopping excursions! Do your lobster shoes fit true to size? It looks like they ship worldwide. I am usually a size 61/2- sometimes a 7 with a pointy toe.
Thank you!
Thanks, Karen. I found the lobster shoes ran just a little large. I’m usually a 7½ (37.5 European) in most closed toe shoes…the 7 (37) was the best fit.
I love that your shopping posts have something for everyone! As I never wear flats (but I wish I could looking at these great styles 🙂 I guess I’ll have to go for the tiara – Love that picture!
Those shoes have also been known as club slippers, smoking slippers, Venetian slippers or loafers http://nancyfriedman.typepad.com/away_with_words/2012/11/fashion-word-watch-smoking-slipper.html
What a wonderful idea – to shop with a real pro who clears paths for you and saves time. Brilliant. The tiara! Hahaha. Love it! I would like to know who buys it. But your shoes and bracelet are divine. Great choices. Thanks for this peek.
Love the lobster flats! So glad you got them…what a great trip you had, Susan.
What size did you go with in the tweed mules? They are so cute and unique! Absolutely loved all your posts about Paris, but I have to admit the shopping ones were my favorite. Also, was just in Nuremberg, Germany and was so excited that they had a Mephisto store, but unfortunately they didn’t carry the sandals you bought on your trip. It was still fun to go in and look.
Thanks! In the mules I went with my usual size, 7½. With the lobster flats, I sized down to a 7.
Lobster shoes! Swoon! Who knew lobsters could be so cute? If I ever get to go back to Paris I will definitely be checking into a shopping tour! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
I want those initialed shoes so badly. Any idea if they make something like that in the USA?
Stubbs & Wooten will do it, but they’re much more expensive. You might try searching on Etsy…
On a recent trip, we stayed at the K&K Hotel in Paris, on your recommendation and loved it. Now we are going to Lake Como. Could you suggest hotels you like on your stay there?
Hi Mary, so glad you enjoyed the K&K! In Lake Como we stayed at the Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio and it was lovely. http://bit.ly/2LdkQbJ
Thanks!