With so many touristy shops scattered throughout Paris, visitors rarely get the opportunity to discover what an authentic shopping experience is like in “The City of Love”. Sure, guidebooks may list the best restaurants and top sightseeing attractions, but they rarely reveal the secrets to shopping like a true Parisian. This is what brought about the creation of Chic Shopping Paris, a company dedicated to helping tourists experience authentic Paris shopping.
Paris Boutique Shopping Experience
Private Insiders Shopping Tour with Personal Guide, Wine Pairing Dinner, Renaissance Paris Hotel 5-Night Stay for 2
Chic Shopping Paris was started by Rebecca Magniant, an American and self-described “shopaholic” who moved to Paris from the United States in 2002. A life-long shopping enthusiast, it wasn’t until she was living in Paris that she discovered shopping was more than a hobby – it was one of her passions.
After living one of the world’s top fashion capitals with her Parisian fiancé – now husband – Rebecca started learning the ins and outs of Paris shopping and began sharing tips and recommendations with friends. Magniant quickly realized her tips were valuable enough to start a business – and in 2003 she founded Chic Shopping Paris.
Founder Rebecca Magniant“My vision for Chic Shopping Paris was to help clients see the behind-the-scenes, non-touristy parts of Paris, and I think I’ve succeeded,” Magniant explains, “It’s fun for clients on their first time to Paris- but equally fun if it’s your tenth time, as there is always something new to discover. We aim to help people take home “Paris in their bag”- although I’ve had clients spend nothing on a tour, and I’ve had someone spend $20,000 in one day. And everything in between!”
Chic Shopping Paris has been featured many times in national media, including the Travel Channel, the New York Times and Vogue. Guests who partake in the Chic Shopping experience often want to come back to learn more, and according to Magniant, some clients come back every year!
Each shopping spree takes clients behind-the-scenes to secret addresses, giving visitors a glimpse into the Parisian lifestyle. Shoppers even get their own personal bilingual guide who is full of advice that only a good Parisian friend would share with you. Some shopping options include:
- Unique Boutique Tour: Charming shops in the heart of the Marais district
- Made in France Tour: Fab French finds in the chic Left bBnk
- Oh La La! Outlets Tour: Bargains on luxury French & European labels
- See more tours…
With Chic Shopping Paris, clients get the chance of a lifetime to hunt for clothing and accessories that wouldn’t have been easily purchased back home. The point is to help visitors find items that are unique to Paris. “…My guides and I always try to stay on top of what is new in Paris and not in the U.S. or Canada,” Magniant explains. She says visitors often want to find accessories, and so she takes them to little boutiques full of French silk scarves, jewelry and gloves.
So what is Rebecca’s favorite part of Chic Shopping Paris? Getting to show off Paris to clients, of course!
“I love showing clients ‘my’ Paris. I know that on their first trip, they want to see all the big sites and museums, but it is so great to get people off the beaten path to the less touristy neighborhoods to see the real Paris,” says Magniant.
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About Ian Lauth
With an extensive background in marketing and design, Ian’s role at Winspire is to develop external communications, brand expansion and product delivery processes to help Nonprofits maximize their fundraising revenue.
Ian serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Winspire News, creating and managing blog content, newsletters, eBooks and other resources for Nonprofit fundraising professionals. You can also find Ian on Google+.
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