Paris trip for Hermes

[papertiger]

Please try to stay on topic. I realise because of the complexity of some of the posts members may veer off but in answer do not 'go there'.

For info and questions on US customs please post on the thread below: post https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/us-customs-discussion-airports-importing.905560/

Detaxing (to US from Europe) https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/best-way-to-detax-after-h-in-europe.178302/

or non-US destinations: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/does-h-store-paris-wants-to-ship.605014/page-3

For questions relating to prices https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/reference-hermes-current-prices.102567/page-357

For traveling with boxes https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...me-hermes-boxes-when-traveling.1044553/page-5



I will leave this reminder as a sticky because tthis is often a thread that new members (or new Hermès lovers) post on - hopefully temporarily.

 

[Swanky]

Hi!
Friendly reminder that this thread should stay on topic as an Hermes in PARIS thread.
Thank you!

 

[Tartin Tale]

Hi ladies. I finally have time to share my experience at FSH last week as promised. This thread has been so informative and I hope my experience would be of help to you as well.

As mentioned in previous posts, I started registering for an appointment for both DH and myself the day we flew to Paris (for the day we arrived) and was unsuccessful. That followed with another 3x failed attempts for each of us (8x total at this point).

I was already quite sure at this point that I was not going to get an appointment but kept applying anyway and it paid off. On our second last night in Paris, I received a text message and email confirming my appointment for 11:25am the next day. DH was again rejected. The text also included a link for me to track appointment time which I checked regularly from 10:30am and it kept changing, later and later until about 1:45pm. As I was just a few minutes away from FSH, my appointment time got pushed back again to 2:45 but I decided to just go and wait there.

When I got there, I checked in with the hostess and was asked to wait for an SA. I waited about 15-20 minutes then got an sms notifying me that an SA was ready to see me. She turned out to be the same lovely SA that walked by earlier while we were waiting and gave my toddler a small Hermes bag to play with.

I’ve had two unsuccessful appointments at FSH before so this time I came in without any expectations and prepared a specific list of preferences which I showed to my SA. I asked for (in order) K25 Sellier in Gris T, dark shades of blue or greys / Kelly Mini II chèvre or ostrich leather in Rose Tyrien , Bleu Saphir, Black (ghw) or Gris Agate / Constance Mini in neutral colour, blue, pink or grey.

She took a photo of my list and left for about 10 minutes or less. She came back with one box and judging from the box I knew it was possibly one of the items on my list. She then said there were more options in larger sizes but she thinks K28 or 32 will be too big for me so she didn’t bring them out. She said unfortunately Kelly mini all sold out, same for Constance mini but she had something I may like, in Rose Tyrien. As she was removing the dust bag I could see the handle in ostrich peeking out and once I tried her on, of course I said yes!

Here she is, my very first Kelly sellier 25 ostrich in Rose Tyrien

View attachment 4545776

This bag is the dream!!! Would you mind sharing more pictures of her in natural light? Drooooolingggg

 

[izzyParis]

I could use some advice from fellow H & Paris lovers. My trip to Europe from USA for April & May was canceled for obvious reasons. BUT, I really want to go to Paris soon for several reasons 1. I love Paris 2. I need my French pastry/pain au chocolate fix, for which there is no substitute except for the real thing. 3. My first SO is ready at FSH. What are your thoughts about planning a trip for the end of June? I know that the current lockdown remains in effect until May 11th. Part of me thinks that by the end of June things will be sorted out preliminarily (not optimally but enough) and part of me thinks that I am being too hopeful given my desire to go to Paris and that said desire is clouding my thinking. Any comments are welcome. Thank you.

 

[olibelli]

I could use some advice from fellow H & Paris lovers. My trip to Europe from USA for April & May was canceled for obvious reasons. BUT, I really want to go to Paris soon for several reasons 1. I love Paris 2. I need my French pastry/pain au chocolate fix, for which there is no substitute except for the real thing. 3. My first SO is ready at FSH. What are your thoughts about planning a trip for the end of June? I know that the current lockdown remains in effect until May 11th. Part of me thinks that by the end of June things will be sorted out preliminarily (not optimally but enough) and part of me thinks that I am being too hopeful given my desire to go to Paris and that said desire is clouding my thinking. Any comments are welcome. Thank you.

I've had to cancel European travel as well, initially one in March (Spain) and one in June (France / UK) this year, and personally feel like end of June may be too opstimistic. I'm in NY and lockdown was just extended to May 15th, though the future past that remains uncertain, I've rescheduled all my international travel to Q4 this year. I feel like that's sufficient time in my case, but even then, I really don't know... perhaps end of summer would be safest for you? Perhaps end of July at the earliest? Ultimately, tread cautiously - better to be safe before anything else. In the meantime, maybe pick up a new hobby and try your hand at baking your pastry cravings - obviously not exactly what you're after but chocolate is chocolate

 

[izzyParis]

I've had to cancel European travel as well, initially one in March (Spain) and one in June (France / UK) this year, and personally feel like end of June may be too opstimistic. I'm in NY and lockdown was just extended to May 15th, though the future past that remains uncertain, I've rescheduled all my international travel to Q4 this year. I feel like that's sufficient time in my case, but even then, I really don't know... perhaps end of summer would be safest for you? Perhaps end of July at the earliest? Ultimately, tread cautiously - better to be safe before anything else. In the meantime, maybe pick up a new hobby and try your hand at baking your pastry cravings - obviously not exactly what you're after but chocolate is chocolate

Thank you! I feel as though Q4 is the safer/smarter choice as well, honestly I was hoping to go to Paris in November as well as June. I hate the heat of summer which is also one of the reasons that June came to mind, as a way to try & go before it was too hot for me to manage. I probably should just see how things evolve & not try to rush into planning anything other than the November trip for now, as that is the more sensible response. Perhaps some deep breaths are in order for me.

 

[JolieS]

Thank you! I feel as though Q4 is the safer/smarter choice as well, honestly I was hoping to go to Paris in November as well as June. I hate the heat of summer which is also one of the reasons that June came to mind, as a way to try & go before it was too hot for me to manage. I probably should just see how things evolve & not try to rush into planning anything other than the November trip for now, as that is the more sensible response. Perhaps some deep breaths are in order for me.

There are 3 questions to consider:
1-Will all French businesses be fully operational by end June? Hard to say at this point, although the boulangerie/patisseries are open now for your pastry fix.
2-As of now, the government is talking about a gradual, phased-in reopening, and a gradual decrease in confinement requirements. As of yesterday, they are saying that those age 70+ could be confined until the end of 2020. Air France is accepting reservations for July only from where I live.
3-Assuming you can get there, will it be safe to travel to France in June in terms of exposure to COVID-19? This a risk assessment you’ll have to make for yourself personally. As someone who owns a flat in Paris where I spend 4-5 months/year, I have no plans to travel until at least September, if at all in 2020, even though there is a least one Camembert cheese there calling my name.
If you decide to go, make sure all your tickets/reservations can be cancelled without penalty and are refundable, and that any travel health insurance you purchase will cover COVID-19.
Good luck in your decision-making.

 

[izzyParis]

There are 3 questions to consider:
1-Will all French businesses be fully operational by end June? Hard to say at this point, although the boulangerie/patisseries are open now for your pastry fix.
2-As of now, the government is talking about a gradual, phased-in reopening, and a gradual decrease in confinement requirements. As of yesterday, they are saying that those age 70+ could be confined until the end of 2020. Air France is accepting reservations for July only from where I live.
3-Assuming you can get there, will it be safe to travel to France in June in terms of exposure to COVID-19? This a risk assessment you’ll have to make for yourself personally. As someone who owns a flat in Paris where I spend 4-5 months/year, I have no plans to travel until at least September, if at all in 2020, even though there is a least one Camembert cheese there calling my name.
If you decide to go, make sure all your tickets/reservations can be cancelled without penalty and are refundable, and that any travel health insurance you purchase will cover COVID-19.
Good luck in your decision-making.

Thank you! You clearly understand the cravings that seem to only be satiated in France/Paris which are driving me to even consider the proposition of traveling in the near term. You bring up very valid points. I am currently in an area that does not have very many cases, though we are on lockdown for precautionary measures, and going into an area with more cases/exposure does not thrill me as I am a rather measured risk taker. I may just bribe myself with the idea that in November, assuming that I can go then, that I can go crazy with my favorite things like walking in Palais Royal/Jardin de Tuileries and eating lots of pastries.

 

[doni]

Thank you! I feel as though Q4 is the safer/smarter choice as well, honestly I was hoping to go to Paris in November as well as June. I hate the heat of summer which is also one of the reasons that June came to mind, as a way to try & go before it was too hot for me to manage. I probably should just see how things evolve & not try to rush into planning anything other than the November trip for now, as that is the more sensible response. Perhaps some deep breaths are in order for me.

I also had to cancel a Paris trip in May. I think Summer is probably your best bet, but maybe June is too soon, but what do we know, uncertainty is the word of the day.
I personally worry about Q4 the most. Without a vaccine ready and available widely, the flue season this year is not a promising time.

 

[izzyParis]

I also had to cancel a Paris trip in May. I think Summer is probably your best bet, but maybe June is too soon, but what do we know, uncertainty is the word of the day.
I personally worry about Q4 the most. Without a vaccine ready and available widely, the flue season this year is not a promising time.

Sorry that you had to cancel your trip, as well. I worry about the flu season too, I think that it tends to peak in December to February(ish), so I am hoping to be ahead of it a bit, but like you said history may be a poor guide and who knows what the future will look like. It may be my wishful thinking getting the better of my judgement, yet again.

 

[Alexandra.freilich]

European border is close and they are not planning to open it soon. They will be a reunion end of the month to talk about it.
Let’s be honest in a lot of country they are cancelling events, at least until end of july some august.
Let’s face it european peoples will stay in Europe and non Europeans won’t be allow to came in.
France is the number 1 country for tourists. Restaurants,bars,clubs,hotels etc will be the last place to open. In my opinion not before June the way they handle the situation.

 

[eagle1002us]

European border is close and they are not planning to open it soon. They will be a reunion end of the month to talk about it.
Let’s be honest in a lot of country they are cancelling events, at least until end of july some august.
Let’s face it european peoples will stay in Europe and non Europeans won’t be allow to came in.
France is the number 1 country for tourists. Restaurants,bars,clubs,hotels etc will be the last place to open. In my opinion not before June the way they handle the situation.

Thanks for that info! July or August actually sounds quite realistic (sadly).

 

[Alexandra.freilich]

Thanks for that info! July or August actually sounds quite realistic (sadly).

I hope that it will be open sooner because it will be a disaster for them, so many business gone close.
Talking about the border I guess they gone say close until end of July and will see by them for reopening in august.. Let’s be honest they will be close until end of august. The way France is handling that situation is terrible. Just a simple example no masks available, pharmacies are not allow to sell it to peoples. Maroc for example you can by them at the supermarket for a ridiculous cheap price.

 

[eagle1002us]

I've had to cancel European travel as well, initially one in March (Spain) and one in June (France / UK) this year, and personally feel like end of June may be too opstimistic. I'm in NY and lockdown was just extended to May 15th, though the future past that remains uncertain, I've rescheduled all my international travel to Q4 this year. I feel like that's sufficient time in my case, but even then, I really don't know... perhaps end of summer would be safest for you? Perhaps end of July at the earliest? Ultimately, tread cautiously - better to be safe before anything else. In the meantime, maybe pick up a new hobby and try your hand at baking your pastry cravings - obviously not exactly what you're after but chocolate is chocolate

Some chocolatier somewhere will probably have on-line cooking lessons since so many people are stuck at home.

 

[Tartin Tale]

I could use some advice from fellow H & Paris lovers. My trip to Europe from USA for April & May was canceled for obvious reasons. BUT, I really want to go to Paris soon for several reasons 1. I love Paris 2. I need my French pastry/pain au chocolate fix, for which there is no substitute except for the real thing. 3. My first SO is ready at FSH. What are your thoughts about planning a trip for the end of June? I know that the current lockdown remains in effect until May 11th. Part of me thinks that by the end of June things will be sorted out preliminarily (not optimally but enough) and part of me thinks that I am being too hopeful given my desire to go to Paris and that said desire is clouding my thinking. Any comments are welcome. Thank you.

Hi, I too have an SO waiting and ready at FSH since feb, I was to go by May but doesn’t look like it, I would say Early August is probably a safer bet to plan for, weather is great and all this should died down by now... if it changes you can always prepone bookings, it won’t be an issue at all! Btw what are the specifics of your SO? Would love to hear!

 

[izzyParis]

Thank you all for your input and advice, I really appreciate it!! I think that I needed a healthy dose of reality from people who understand, as my cravings had taken ahold of the rational part of my mind. I am normally a very pragmatic gal but I always crave Paris in the springtime and autumn and apparently this year was no different. I was actually in Paiis this exact time last year, so I think that was a trigger for me. I think that I am going to try to go with the flow in the near term and continue to plan my November Paris trip with the hope that H FSH will be accommodating. My SO is B30 gris etain Togo with rose tyrien interior tonal stitching and phw. When I was at FSH n November when my SO wasn’t ready yet, my SA mentioned that I did not have an obligation to accept the SO when it arrives & I told him that was not going to happen, of course I was going to accept her. Little did I know that all of this would happen in the meantime. It’s also why I try my best to not use words like never and always, since you just never know what the future will hold. Thank you again!