Gifts for your French Tryst?

Written by Jeanne Suica

I just finished re-watching "Le Divorce", a charming film about two expats played by Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts, and it reminded me that Paris is filled with tête-à-têtes as well as a discreet acceptance of a tryst -- at least in some circles.

I'm sure that Heather's book "Naughty Paris" which is on my "to get" list will teach us newcomers a thing or two. We all know Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, and I'm sure you'll agree that it didn't earn this reputation just from its beautiful architecture.

In this film, Kate takes an older married French lover, and to initiate their relationship he buys her a red crocodile Hermès Kelly bag, which she proudly sports every day and evening, reminding the viewer perhaps of a modern, and of course whimsical version of "The Scarlet Letter".

When her relation ends, she is presented with the parting gift of a Chanel scarf. Not too shabby of a gift but I'm sure that I'm not the first who thought that she should have received something a bit better.

For those of you who want to be initiated into French culture, whether it is to stock up on the staples of every French woman's wardrobe or planning an affair (I don't want to know -- keep it to yourself), here are some addresses that you might want to visit:

Hermès
24 rue Faubourg Saint Honoré, 8th
01 40 17 47 17

and

Hermès
42 Avenue Georges V, 8th
01 47 20 48 51

Also check www.Hermes.com for other locations worldwide.

Chanel
31 rue Cambon, 1st
01 42 86 26 00

Below you will find additional boutiques that carry Chanel scarves. For a full listing of boutiques and departments stores that sell Chanel items please check their website www.chanel.com

Chanel
25 rue Royale, 8th
01 44 51 92 93

Chanel
21 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, 8th
01 53 05 98 95

Chanel
42 avenue Montaigne, 8th
01 47 23 74 12

Also available at two of the major department stores in Paris:

Bon Marche
22 rue des Sèvres, 6th
01 44 39 17 20

Printemps
64 Blvd Haussmann, 9th
01 42 82 53 91

For those of you who love a great bargain try Réciproque, the largest resale/depot vente in Paris. You'll find a huge selection of gently used and sometimes new Hermès handbags and scarves at prices below retail. I wonder how many of these items in their numerous boutiques were once tokens of an affair?

Réciproque
89-101 Rue de la Pompe, 16th
01 47 04 30 28

Isn't it better to make some money instead of throwing your Hermès bag from the top of the Eiffel Tower? Whoops I'm giving away too much of the film!