Paris

[Lou Masses]

I'm off to Paris next week for a much needed vacation.

While I have a full itinerary of places to see in terms of siteseeing, and I know the is LeCimier and Durendal to visit, I was wondering if anyone can recommend any other good places to shop for cool stuff. Are thre anymore figure shops "off the beaten track"? Maybe a great military bookstore? Militaria shop (that won't require forfeiting my son's education funds)?

Any recommendations?

 

[JP PRAJOUX]

Hello,
I'm not sure you will be able to go to Durendal because they are about to quit the job, you should sheck first before going there.
I think you should go to "Armes & Collections" it's a huge military book store linked to the editor of "figurines" and many others related magazines (militaria, raids, ...). Their adress is :
Librairie Armes et Collections
19 avenue de la république
75011 Paris
You can stop at métro "République" and walk for five minutes on the "Avenue de la République", you will find the bookstore on your left hand side.
I don't know others figurines stores as I don't live in Paris but Bruno "michelange" will surely have something for you...
Hope you will like Paris, France and the book strore.
By Jean-Philippe

 

[michelange]

Hello Lou

Like says J-P Prajoux, bookshop A&C it one of is provided the d'Europe for the books soldier. There is the complete collection of Osprey, there are even books on Bill Horan...
In visit in Paris, it is necessary to go to see the museum of the Invalides, subway "Invalides", where there are costumes of Napoléon period, weapons and the tomb of Emperor.
For the figures, astonishment, I don't know a shop in Paris, I make my purchases on Internet (Andrea, Elite...) Don't hesitate if you need other information. Good visit, I hope that you will like Paris.

Bruno

 

[Luis R.]

Another excellent bookshop in Paris is Le Livre Chez Vous, at 25 rue Bargue. You can check what they sell HERE

A visit to the bookshop at the Musée de l'Armée is also worthwhile. Actually, the army museum-Napoleon's tomb-bookshop complex at Les Invalides is a must for any military enthusiast, as Bruno said.

Note that Le Cimier opennig hours are quite peculiar. You'd better check before going there.

 

[bert]

Hello Lou,

Not much I can add, as figure shops seem to close in Paris. Durendal closed during last summer !! :angry:

Le Cimier remains almost the last intersting place to shop : it's open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (10:00 - 13:00 ; 14:00 - 19:00), it's located not far from the Eiffel Tower ( 5 mn walk from subway station Charles Michel).

Maybe you might be interested in visiting "Les Etains du Graal", located 14 rue des Ecoles , near the Sorbonne. I think you should have seen their ads in "Figurines".

The Musée de l'Armée at the Invalides is definitly a place to visit, especially if you have time to stay !!

Hope this will help, and enjoy your stay in Paris.

Best Regards

Bertrand

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Brother Lou...give me a call if you find yourself in a pinch...I gotta couple piso's hanging out in a low hover around the area during that week...

Have a great time, don't drink the water Brushing your teeth with wine is an acquired taste... :lol:

Take care my friend...

Patrick

 

[Lou Masses]

Thanks all for your responses.

Les Invalides is about 60% of my reason for going and I have planned a 2 day visit there-even picking a hotel nearby!

I will visit LeCimier as well. I appreciate the bookstore recommendations as well-that's where I wasn't clear.

Hopefully the weather will be good and I look forward to the trip!

Thanks again,
Lou

Patrick- I don't think there will be any need for the Pisos but I'll keep that in mind

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Alright brother Lou...just want to be sure you have all that you need...remember, just a call away...

Have fun my friend!

Patrick

 

[Lou Masses]

Thank you everyone for your recommendations. Unfortunately, we dedicated som much time to monuments and museums, there was very little time for shopping. I did make it to LeCimier though-very nice shop, very well stocked and easy to get to.

Paris is truly an amazing city and Parisians, in my experience were very freindly hosts.

The Musee d l'Armee is a site that must be seen by figure painters. There is such an incredible collection one could spend weeks there. Unfortunately the artillery and WWI sections were closed for renovations this year (and beware if you plan to g next year-the 17th Century, Napoleonic and 2nd Empire sections will be closed for 2005), but I spent a day in the rest of the museum.

I could kick myself in the head for screwing up the dates. While I was aware that this December marks the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's coronation and was sure there would be some sort of celebration, I did not assume that much of his "memorabilia" would be on loan to the Louvre for an exhibition starting when? Next week of course! so parts of other museums are missing key items (such as his coronation tunic) and the Napoleonic section of the Louvre is closed :angry:

Fontainbleu is an absolute must see for any Napoleon buff (and architecture fan as well).

Beautiful city, great people, great trip!

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Lou,

I have to agree. When I was stationed in Europe in the 80's I had a chance to visit Paris for a long weekend. I saw many of the sites you referred to with the exception of any figure shops. Back then I did not have any idea about this hobby but I wish now that I had taken more pictures. The best thing about my trip was the price For my long weekend, this included one meal a day, my hotel room and roundtrip transporation from Baumholder Germany, this trip cost me a whopping $49! I only wish I could do it again now.

Joe

 

[Luis R.]

Unfortunately the artillery and WWI sections were closed for renovations this year (and beware if you plan to g next year-the 17th Century, Napoleonic and 2nd Empire sections will be closed for 2005)

I've heard the rennovations will really mean a radical change in the exhibition system. New museum trends go for more educative exhibits and most of the artifacts will be stored away from the public and remplaced by graphics, text panels and the like.

So, if you want to see all those uniforms and weapons, you better get there now.

 

[Lou Masses]

I would agree with what you say. The WW2 section was recently renovated and seemed to contain a lot less items on display and more fancy graphics whereas the Napoleonic sections were crammed with display cases full of militaria, mannequins, uniforms and some full size mini dioramas. Every inch of wall space was covered with paintings and prints by artists like Detaille.

The WW2 was nice, but had alot more cutaways, maps, videos and the like.