Longchamp Bag Hunt at Paris

Discover Paris Magazine

For my second trip to Paris in 2013, I aimed to buy Longchamp bags. I did 'homework' vigorously on what, where, how to shop... This is my experience...

My first Longchamp stop was at 404, Rue Saint Honore, Paris. Pretty decent boutique with full collections. I was looking for long handle large shopping bag but unfortunately, it was not available. Well, no problem as I just arrived and I have two more days to go.

The next day, I went to La Vallee Vilage (a sister outlet as Bicester Village, Oxford UK). I went there by special tour bus that costed me €22 return. We were given a special Ralph Lauren voucher and three VIP voucher each. These voucher enable you to have additional 10% discount in all shops. My mind was spinning like a top, planning to splurge at the Longchamp boutique or maybe MK. The Longchamp boutique is situated near the customer service kiosk. So, Longchamp is the first designer brand that you will see. I went it and my heart sunk. Just 4 designs of Le Pliage! Are you kidding me? And to add to the heartbreak, no long handle... I asked the sales assistant about the available stock. She explained that they were experiencing a shortage of Le Pliage stock due to the high summer holiday demand. OMG! I just crossed the English Channel for nothing. So, to mend a broken heart, my husband bought me the available Le Pliage; orange (small) and light green (medium) short handle. The price? Incredibly cheap! That was made me super frustrated and little bit furious because I can't buy Le Pliage at the cheap price. I can't remember the price as I lost the receipt. From estimation, the price (before 10% VIP discount) for the small Le Pliage was €28 and Medium Le Pliage was €36. If you're looking for the leather Longchamp bag or any other collections, you might be lucky but not Le Pliage. Recommended but just count your blessing when you go there.

La Vallee Village Directory

Printemps Paris Advert

When I went back to Paris, I rushed to Printemps (equivalent to London's Harrod's). Because of that day was Saturday, I have to go there before closing time because Printemps is close on Sunday. Printemps is really big shopping complex; even has 2 or 3 seperate buildings. They have 2 Longchamp sections; on the ground floor and lower ground floor. The lower ground section has more collections than the ground floor- so, you should head to lower ground level. My experience? Horrible! Both on the customers and also the sales assistant- especially the cashier. I went there during weekend, obviously the complex was swarmed by tourists. Rude tourist. I would not named their nationality; I don't want to be racist but their attitude just like monkey tried to grab a banana. One of them even tried to take a bag that I was holding. Even when a sales assistant told them that they have to wait to be served, they just barged in and still demanded for the bag. Idiots!

The 'useless' discount voucher (front)

The price at Printemps is RRP. In Printemps, they have a system. You will choose the item that you want and they will write it on a piece of ticket. The ticket has 2 parts; you will hold the first part and the second part will be pass on to the store room. Then, you bring it to the cashier and pay. Simple isn't? But not, when you were cramped with hundreds of customers like a sardines in a can. Communication can be tricky and could lead to heated arguments. I do understand after hours of working, and tried to explain to non-English/French speaking tourists, you tend to break at some point, but don't take it to another customer... Well, never ever again going to shop at this place. Better to go to a smaller Longchamp boutique. Printemps gives this 10% discount voucher to foreign visitors but it cannot be use with Longchamp merchandises.

The 'useless' discount voucher (back)

Hurm. I bought Le Pliage in Lilac ♥ at Printemps...

In conclusion...

From my point of view, there is no difference between buying Le Pliage at UK and Paris although Paris has the outlet at La Vallee Village, but again count your blessing if you're looking for Le Pliage collections. With a weak GBP to Euro conversion, just spend your money at home... As I discovered, buying Le Pliage at Heathrow Airport is cheaper.

p/s- you need to spend at least €175 for 12% tax return. Only eligible for non-EU tourist(s).