In May, I will be going to France for 15 days and want ya'lls recomendations on good cigar shops (Cubans)in France. I will be in Paris, the Loire Valley from Nantes to Orleans, Normandy, and Metz. I got a few good ideas when I ran a search of this forum, but some of the post are dated. Are there good values in the duty free shops at CDG? If you now the area (i.e. the Louve, d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, etc) that would be very helpful. I don't know the streets that well in Paris. I've been to Paris once several years ago, but that was before I had a cigar hobby. I understand the little tabac shops have them, but I guess I'd feel more comfortable buying from the bigger shops. (Is that the right assumption?)I'd like to know places where I can stop in and pick up a few to smoke while on the road and then in Paris where I can buy a box or two or three before I leave. Thanks in advance.

I found good CCs in France everywhere I went four years ago. If we had stayed a week longer, my wife might have become a cigar smoker herself. As much as she says she does not like cigars, invariably when I light up a CC she says, "now that is a good smelling cigar!" And I have to agree. If she only knew how good they tasted, too.

Have to agree with Don Charles... I was just in Paris and was delighted with the prices too.

Anyway, here is a list of cigar stores in Paris:

http://www.poignee2cigares.com/lieuxouacheter.php

It's in French but a lot of info (ratings, adresses and names) is understandable in any language. (A bit of practice before leaving)

I also fond the best selection fo limited and regional editions in a "Cave à Cigares" on Hausmann boulevard, a block or two from the Galeries Lafayette. Should have noted the exact name and adress, but it is relatively easy to find.

However, be careful, many places tend to overhumidify, so check it out before you buy. Especially if you are buying tubos or a box.

Great website, Flashman! That website is a real keeper for anyone who is going to be traveling in Europe. And since I am going back next July, I plan to keep that site handy. thanks for posting it.

Has anyone been to the George V shop?

Yes I did. Not bad, not great, but they didn't have any of the stuff I was looking for. Found more stuff at the Drugstore Publicis, about 500 meters from there on the Champs-Élysées -- they had some Por Larranaga Petit Coronas!(although they keep their walk-in at about 73-75%).

Had more stuff at the afore mentionned shop on Hausmann, more or less across the street from Brasserie Hausmann -- they had some Bolivar Libertadors and Cohiba DC EL 2003.

I hope to get back to Paris in the spring. It will be nice to go before next January when the smoking ban kick in for cafes and restaurants.

quote:

Originally posted by flashman:
Have to agree with Don Charles... I was just in Paris and was delighted with the prices too.

Anyway, here is a list of cigar stores in Paris:

http://www.poignee2cigares.com/lieuxouacheter.php

It's in French but a lot of info (ratings, adresses and names) is understandable in any language. (A bit of practice before leaving)

I also fond the best selection fo limited and regional editions in a "Cave à Cigares" on Hausmann boulevard, a block or two from the Galeries Lafayette. Should have noted the exact name and adress, but it is relatively easy to find.

However, be careful, many places tend to overhumidify, so check it out before you buy. Especially if you are buying tubos or a box.

Excellent site -- keeps me from having to retype all that stuff. I can vouch for A La Civette, Lotus, and Boutique 22. All good places to buy. I will say, however, that A La Civette overhumidifies pretty severely. On the other hand, there is an amazing park across the street -- great place to sit and have a cigar.

Thanks everybody. Flashman, that is a great website. I'll have to commit it to memory before I leave. Are the little tabac shops generally trust worthy? I am always cautious with them after finding some fakes in Germany last year. Fortunately I didn't buy them. They were just too cheap to be believed. It just makes you careful. Thanks again guys!

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Are the little tabac shops generally trust worthy?

Some of them don't store the cigars properly. I have seen places with cigars in glass cabinets, no humidification, under hot lights.

The best thing to do is stick the stores that know the business.