Printemps, Le Grand Magasin Indeed!

I love Printemps. I'm not much of a shopper in Paris,  but I never tire of photographing this wonderful place from the street. Today, a double dose with the header as well.  I will now have the pleasure of sharing my recent photos with you.  It was a week packed with fun, friends,  new Paris moments and a 11GB of memory cards!

Printemps, un grand magazin

I think this sign is just spectacular. The hat, the dress .....c'est magnifique!

Department stores in Paris are a shopaholic's "fix". I'm not sure if I've ever really purchased anything at Printemps , but I am very content to just wander and look! Today, images of the elegant exterior. Founded in 1865 by Jules Juluzot and designed by Paul Sédille, it now consists of three building and boasts the largest beauty department in the world. Perhaps I should have stopped there for some much needed help and a spritz of my very favorite Chanel No.5 ! Visit their website for everything this wonderful old store has to offer.

Last summer, Peter and I went to the rooftop café and took photographs from there. I thought I had already posted those but apparently not. I will do that very soon!

MERCI Beaucoup!

I thought we would just make another quick trip back to Merci for one more day and have a look around. Of course the show stopper has to be the adorable red Fiat parked out front in the courtyard. When we visited, it was adorned with a live Christmas tree. The snow that day was made to order! My talented artist/blog friend Shell Sherree, way down in Brisbane has a delightful watercolor of this trés jolie voiture! Take a look here.

As I mentioned yesterday, Merci offers clothing for men, women, and children, plus housewares, furnishings, and garden accessories. I'm sure you're wondering about prices. Well let's just say this is no Monoprix!

For more information about Merci, scroll down to Wednesday's post!

My thanks to reader Stephanie who kindly sent me this live webcam site of la Tour Eiffel.

Enjoy~

Mary and I loved the housewares section. We would have spent our last euro

if we could have figured out a way to get it all in a petite valise for the trip home.

The library was amazing. Sorry we didn't have the time to peruse the enormous selection of books

Spell Check!

Just say, "YES" to a Parisian Strip Tease!!

I was fascinated with their wide selection of colorful letters and the display wall from the minute we walked in the store.

Merci, near the Bastille, is Paris' newest concept store. Created by Marie- France and Bernard Cohen, founders of the fabulous Bonpoint children's stores, all proceeds (after breaking even) are donated to a co op for young women in Madagascar. This part loft, part library, part clothing and garden shop has a little something for everyone, from trés chic home accessories and furnishings to colored pencils artfully displayed. Need a shopping break? Stop in the cozy coffee shop or have lunch downstairs in the cafe. Regardless, plan to spend a lot of time here! Today a taste of Merci. More to come!

Want to puchase one of the words on the wall? Well you can certainly have it, but I hope you have around 800-900 euros in your pocket!

I am pleased to announce that Linda Donahue , editor of Parisiensalon.com has chosen another of my Paris street portraits for a recent article here.

A Show of Hands.....Window Shopping at the Palais Royal

I couldn't decide today!

An entire shop of fabulous leather gloves??? Oh, I want every one of them!

La sigh

Window Shopping, Paris Style

Well, my goodness!  I think in another life I wore one of these!!!

( The question is.......what did I wear UNDER it?)

I've been promising all my friends that I would post a few photographs of the wonderful Paris shop windows.  The French are the masters at window display. Since I shot these through glass, the quality is not as good, but I'm sure you veteran shoppers will get the idea.  I promise, more windows this next trip!

I do love a straw hat.  Isn't this window the best!!!

They let down that fancy grid at night to keep people like me from breaking the glass and making off with every one of these great shoes!

Palais Royal

This was "handbag heaven " for sure. I'll take one of each s'il vous plait!

Palais Royal

I pulled this one from my archives.  I took this photograph of Bonpoint's infant store in 2007. Bonpoint has separate shops for infants, girls , boys, shoes etc.  Check out their trés chic website for more offerings.  Mrs. Obama and her girls shopped here on their recent trip to Paris.  I plan to revisit these shops soon!