I am going to Paris for 2 days. I have to buy souvenirs but I don't have much money. Any ideas?

First of all whoever said 4 euros equals $2.50 is using a very old exchange rate! Four euros is nearly $6 these days. Secondly, I would suggest going to Monoprix. That is a chain of discount stores, almost like Wal~mart but much smaller. They also have groceries. Before buying food items to bring back, though, you should check Customs regulations. I bought a jar of honey in the grocery store, and US Customs confiscated it when I came back home. Along rue de Rivoli, there are quite a few little shops that sell relatively inexpensive souvenirs. Check them, too.

There are two areas that offer up the best souvenir shopping in Paris, in my opinion. Rue de Rivoli, across from the Louvre and Tuileries Garden have great deals. There, you can find postcards (I've seen 13 for 1 Euro), mini Eiffel Towers (all sizes, starting at around 1 Euro), beautiful scarves, figurines, T-shirts, mugs, bags, shot glasses, etc. Another great place for souvenir shopping is across from Notre-Dame Cathedral. If you are facing the cathedral, it's on the left. There's also two great cafes: Quasimodo and Cafe Esmerelda. Galeries Lafayette is fun to browse in, but the souvenirs (located on the top floor) are a bit overpriced. However, who says you have to bring home a miniature Eiffel Tower? There are some fun and trendy items, such as purses and hair clips and jewelry and such. I've found that when you stroll away from a major monument or museum, the cheaper the prices. The closer you are, the higher the prices. Shop around. If you do get a lot of mini Eiffel Towers to bring home, don't try to carry them on the plane. Pack them in your checked luggage, trust me. You can also check out flea markets...Clignancourt is the best and largest. The first few stands are mostly souvenir-ish stuff...but there are some nice jewelry items and such there. You can find just about anything you want the deeper you venture into the flea market. People won't mind if you don't bring home a coffee mug with the Eiffel Tower emblazoned on the front. As long as it's got a good story, they're happy. (you can tell them about bargaining at the flea market, etc).

Emily, hi, There are some wonderful suggestions here! I'd like to add that buying A4/Letter sized posters from street stalls, especially along the Seine, and in all kinds of little stores, look fantastic when framed. Buy a handful of posters, roll them up, they take up no space and are VERY light. When you get back to your country, find inexpensive photo frames with glass. You can even write a special message on the glass with a gold, silver or black art pen [which works on glass]. Put the date of your trip too, and this will be a cool keepsake for your friends and family. You might think posters are a bit big to frame inexpensively, so just buy the postcards - there are fabulous art cards in Paris, I love the old product advertising ones - very colourful and sooooo French! Hey - keep one for yourself for your desk to remind you about PARIS all the time :-) Cheers Bonjour2007 My tips on things to do in Paris:

Along the Seine you will find vendors with most everything you'll need. I found a great deal on scarves for just a Euro. My sisters loved them.

lafayette Galleries !! that is an awesome place and at the 6th floor they sell souvenirs !

2 disposable cameras. Practice on the first, take good shots with the second. Great photos in a nice frame are far better than any doo-dad, or t-shirt. Also packs well. For the shoppers, go to the chic-chic street and take photos of the windows. Get creative! Save money and be savvy, you savvy? Create a scrapbook with little stories and photos, after you get home. Make it personal and really share your trip. Take good photos of landmarks, be artistic. Polaroid snaps of drunk tourists won't do the job. Good luck and bon voyage!

Wrapping paper! The gift shop at the Louvre, I think, (and you don't need to pay to get in if you only go to the gift shop) sells or gives away wrapping paper that is a wonderful old map of Paris

Refrigerator magnets. They are everywhere - in the museum gift shops and everywhere you might want to go. People see them all the time and they are useful. A great souvenir. Peace!

shop lift...alot