Always Something New at Foire de Paris

For me the Paris Home Show (Foire de Paris until May 8) is like no other. There is always something new to discover.

On the list this year was: Find a desk, buy water filters, buy leather cream for our chairs and visit one of the food trucks. Every year I have a list of what I want to look at and decide how much time I need when visiting Foire de Paris. The distractions are so tempting.

This year I discovered some new things: My desired desk style fell out of style, the water filter people did not show up, I experienced (only once) old-fashioned French blasé customer service looking for the chair cream (ahhh! the good ole days!) and the food truck did not have enough places to sit down.

Other new discoveries included going with someone instead of alone, learning about the powers of stones, spending more time in the Tropics and World pavilion at the Madagascar stands, sitting down for lunch enjoying oysters and a glass of wine and tasting, for the first time, a Cuban espresso (deliciously smooth) and enjoying modern, smiling French customer service. Time management fell apart by one hour when I wanted to look for silver wire for the new labradorite earrings. In the process, however, I practiced my French in a whole new line of jewelry questioning.

Buying Tickets Two-for-One
In the second week of February every year, the Foire de Paris (website in French and English) runs a two-for-one ticket special. Sign up for their newsletter to find the specials or follow them on their Foire de Paris Facebook page. They even have a special “blogeuse” Facebook special: Two free invitations. Buying a Télé7jours TV guide (a new issue come out every Monday) is another way to receive a two-for-one the week before the home show.

On Sunday, their website online ticket sales went out of commission. My friend had to buy her ticket at the gate (very fast) but it was a slightly higher price (but no online fee). She bought the two-day ticket instead, which is a better deal if you want to make a return visit. When you buy tickets, the line may be shorter directly in front of Pavilion 5 and Pavilion 1.

She returned for her second visit and walked away with seven kilos of stones from one gem stand and one stone after negotiations (in English). Know your gems, stones and prices and paid 2/3 less than the retail price.

Innovations
If I have time, I want to return to visit the traditional Basque village in Pavillion 5.2 since a friend brought me a tourtière pastry (with apples, prunes and armagnac) last week! and then move on to the future in Pavillion 1 to see the future of home design such as the windows that heat up, check out what is new in appliances and ergonomics at the Grand Prix d’Innovations. Next year I will make sure I am at the Foire the first weekend for the Maker Fair.  Last year the Maker Fair was my introduction to so much in 3-D technology. Alas, I missed it this year. At least now I know it is a must-see from now on to add to the list of discoveries.

[youtube width=”250″ height=”250″]https://youtu.be/y1XorDc9D_k[/youtube]

Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center
Metro: Line 12: Porte de Versailles; Line 8: Balard then the tram; Tramway T2 and T3: Porte de Versailles.
HOURS (2016)
Friday April 29: 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday, April 30: 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday, May 1: 10 am to 7 pm
Monday, May 2: 10 am to 7 pm
Tuesday, May 3: 10 am to 10 pm
Wednesday, May 4: 10 am to 7 pm
Thursday, May 5: 10 am to 7 pm
Friday May 6: 10 am to 10 pm Le Festival Tropiques en Fête (Tropical Festival)
Saturday May 7: 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday May 8: 10 am to 7 pm

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