Hello, hello! Valentina again!

Today, let’s talk about Paris. It’s such a magical city, winter as well as summer, and at some point in your life you want to be able to say: “Why, yes, I’ve been to Paris…” And while you’re here, you’re going to want to go to all the touristy places (Musée du Louvre, la tour Eiffel…) but if you’ve got some extra time on your hands (it’d say about 2 hours) here are a few thrift stores you must visit if you’re around the metro stop Hotel de Ville (ligne 1). I’ve been there literally three times this week and each time I found something new. 

• Free’p’star (8 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie)

This thrift store is amazing. You go in, depending on the hour there can be a ton of people or just a few, you go through all the dresses that are 10 euros, you go through the coats that are 20 – 100 (some authentic Burberry ones or real leather ones are more expensive), and you land in the “1 euro pile”. At first, you think “why even look? It looks disgusting.” Well, my friends, I have found two 1-euro skirts and here is one of them! You need patience.

• Free’p’star (61 rue de la Verrerie)

The same name, but very different for one reason… If you to the tiny space upstairs, you will find a GIANT pile of 1-euro clothing. I just went there yesterday and finally found a red summer dress! The upstairs is hot, messy, packed but worth it. On the ground floor, dresses are 10-20 euros and skirts are 5-10 euros. They have a nice selection of handbags, some real leather. Don’t forget the 1-euro pile on your left as you enter the store. That is where I found two dresses and a skirt the other day. 

• Vintage Desir (32 rue des Rosiers) 

This is a tiny little thrift store with 10-euro dresses and 5-euro skirts and pants. I’ve never tried on the pants but they’re colorful and so interesting! If you want a hat, go here! I’ve never seen anything for 1 euro but their selection is nice, and walking down rue des Rosiers is worth it. 

• Vintage by Ramin (17 rue Sainte Crois de la Bretonnerie)

Yes, this is on the same street as the first Free’p’star. In fact if you put all of these addresses in Google Maps you’ll see how ridiculously close they all are to each other! (and there are more around!) I only recently discovered this store but it’s great. They are well organized (but tiny) and have a 3-euro pile downstairs. The dresses go from 5 to 40 euros and that’s just because they have some pretty awesome ones with intricate sequin & bead designs. I bought a beaded Ann Taylor cropped top for 5 euros there. In fact, they have a small section of beaded tops that go from 5 to 30 euros. It’s so interesting! 

Now you’re tired after all that thrifting and you’re looking for a place to sit and rest… 

Well, no surprise, there’s a Starbucks at every corner. Go to the one on Rue des Archives and get yourself “un café Americano, s’il vous plaît!” You can also go to any place that has “café” written on the front. That is if you like tiny coffees… I always order “un café allongé”. Coffee should be anywhere from 1,80 to 3 euros depending where you are. Finally, you can just sit down on the Pont des Arts and enjoy the beautiful evening. 

Hope this makes you want to come to Paris!

Valentina Duracinsky