| In this article, you'll find the latest authentic | | | | saw pretty golden boxes reading 'Je vaux de l'or' |
| off-the-beaten-track Parisian shopping gems I | | | | (I'm worth gold), and 'Je ne suis pas difficile, je me |
| encountered whilst scouting the streets of Paris, | | | | contente du meilleur' (I'm not difficult, I'm quite |
| including Parisian haute couture you can actually | | | | satisfied with the best). |
| afford, a gorgeous boutique of handmade crafts | | | | A lovely and friendly atmosphere pervades Misia's |
| and knick-knacks, and candy heaven in the kind of | | | | shop as she bustles around touching up her |
| Chocolaterie that inspired the film Chocolat! | | | | creations for the boutique's large clientele, |
| Affordable haute couture fashion in Paris | | | | occasionally stopping to offer candy to visiting |
| Keeping my eyes peeled for new and interesting | | | | children. |
| Parisian things for the readers of | | | | Misia does her utmost to have personalized |
| Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, I happily stumbled | | | | orders ready within two days, and speaks good |
| upon a new one whilst strolling along the Rue de | | | | English. Prices are quite reasonable for these |
| Paradis (10th district). My attention was grabbed | | | | unique creations: passport holders or other |
| by light and music emanating from the entrance | | | | pouches range from 10 to 20 euros, travel bags |
| of number 14. I thought it must be a party, but | | | | from 50 to 80 euros, and personalized T-shirts |
| further nosing around paid off well, for I had | | | | for around 50 euros. |
| discovered a new shopping gem from high-fashion | | | | The address is 87, Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris. The |
| Vente Presse (super sales reserved to the media | | | | phone number is 01 42 84 20 52. |
| people), which basically means somewhere you | | | | 'Chocolat' - the genuine article |
| can get your hands on haute couture at a | | | | Attention all chocolate and candy lovers! You're in |
| massive discount - usually by invitation, and only if | | | | for a treat when you walk along the Boulevard |
| you know the right people... | | | | St. Germain. At number 108, near the crossroads |
| ...and four young men did: Levon, Arthur, Micha | | | | of the busy Boulevard St. Michel, stand the |
| and Paul started using their Vente Presse access | | | | mesmerizing shop-front windows of Patrick Roger |
| to get hold of high-fashion goods you've probably | | | | - Chocolatier. |
| never dreamed of being able to afford and are | | | | If you've ever read Joanne Harris's Chocolat or |
| now making them available to you! The outlet is | | | | seen the film with Juliette Binoche and Johnny |
| called Les Copains D'abord ('Friends First'), after | | | | Depp, you'll appreciate seeing the real McCoy. |
| the title of a song by famous French singer and | | | | Roger's finely-crafted, innovative and prize-winning |
| composer Georges Brassens. | | | | chocolate statues are worth the trip alone, but no |
| Les Copains D'abord offers catwalk fashion at | | | | matter what your chocolate and candy |
| 60-80% discount, spanning the whole clothing and | | | | preferences are, you're sure to find something to |
| accessory range. Number 14 Rue de Paradis are | | | | satisfy your palate amongst the wide range of |
| their start-up premises, and as such are bare and | | | | hand-made sweet creations - from marzipan |
| basic in contrast to the exquisite fashion goodies | | | | animals to nougats, jams, fruit jellies and caramels, |
| displayed within - but décor is the last thing | | | | all home made by Roger and his family - the |
| on your mind when riffling through the stunning | | | | quinces are even picked from his own garden! |
| range of haute couture! | | | | But even for those who don't have a sweet |
| Some of the labels I saw included: Vivienne | | | | tooth, you'll still appreciate the artistry of Roger's |
| Westwood and Alexander McQueen (England), | | | | chocolate sculptures, which earned him the |
| Atsuro Tayama (Japan), D&G, Armani and | | | | coveted award of 'Meilleur ouvrier de France' |
| Versace (Italy), and the list goes on and on... | | | | (France's Best Craftsman) three years ago. |
| Les Copains intends to get new premises, so do | | | | An idea of products and prices: |
| contact them before dropping by to make sure | | | | Nougat: 6.50 euros/100gs |
| they're still there (or to find out where they've | | | | Truffles: 8 euros/100gs |
| moved to) at 06 63 08 70 50. Their current | | | | 60 cm of various chocolate pieces in a green |
| address is 14, Rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris | | | | rectangular box: 120 euros |
| La Boutique Misia | | | | 1 meter of chocolate in a box: 180 euros |
| Misia's charming boutique offers another of those | | | | Roger Patrick has two other shops, one on the |
| genuinely Parisian shopping experience. Operated | | | | upscale Avenue Victor Hugo (16th district) and |
| by the owner - the eponymous artist and | | | | another in Sceaux (a town situated on the |
| craftswoman Misia - and located Rue du Bac in | | | | outskirts of Paris) from which he hails and where |
| the 7th district, the shop offers various original | | | | his production premises are based. |
| and personalized fashion goods and knick-knacks, | | | | Once again, the address is 108 Boulevard |
| from leather wallets and travel sacks to clothes, | | | | Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris. The phone number is |
| hats, scarves, jewelry and containers. Misia herself | | | | 01 43 29 38 42, and the nearest metro station is |
| is at your service, adorning items with names, | | | | 'Odeon'. |
| designs or slogans in beautiful inks and paints. I | | | | |