We love to shop. Not only clothing shoes kitchenware, pharmacy has to be one of the categories that we spent most of our money on. French dermatological skincare carries a super reputation in it’s quality, and yet not too expensive (well they don’t hire celebrities as their spokesperson and has minimal advertising campaign)

However, the price among different pharmacies is vary, especially in Paris. The same product could have 30-40% price difference even the shops are just a block away.

City Pharma is certainly the cheapest pharmacy in Paris. Located at the corner of Rue du Four and Rue Bonaparte at 6th arrondissement, it opens 6 days a week, from 8.30 am to 8pm. Most of the staff there speaks very good English and they are happy to explain and suggest the right product for you. Be patient when queuing up for check out though -you are not the only person knows about this gems!

City Pharma

28 Rue du Four, 75006 Paris

Metro: Line 4 (St. Germain des Prés) or Line 10 (Mabillon)

Alternatively, if you are not visiting Paris and still want to go for the good bargain, go PARASHOP. It’s a chained para pharmacy across the country(means no prescription service available there), It offers fairly reasonable price on all product and often have weekly special promotion -those are the best deal!

http://www.parashop.com/sl/

Like Italy, the French are drinking massive amount of coffee everyday. Basically you should only drink cappuccino or coffee with milk (café au lait/ café crème) before noon, because they believe the milk is going to ruin your stomach in the afternoon so you have to switch to black coffee. So if you don’t specify the kind of coffee when you order, they assume you are asking for espresso. (un café = an espresso)

A truly Parisian way of drinking coffee -by the bar counter! Order your coffee at the bar and stay on the leather high stool, chatting with the bartender or even read a free local newspaper, and it only costs EUR1-1.50 for a single shot!

The same coffee costs EUR 3-5 at the table,  or if you prefer to sit outside in the sun over spring and summer days.

To order a coffee in French:

Coffee with milk: “un café crème, s’il vous plaît” or ” un café au lait, sil vous plaît”

Cappuccino: “cappuccino”

Single shot espresso: “un café” or “un express”

Double shot espresso: “double café”