Page 54 - Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

France

Perfumes, fashion, jewelry, art, glass, china, and wine—these are just a few of the many goods
for which France is famous. Each region has its own specialties, but you can often then for
sale in other parts of the country. If time is short, try checking out a big department store,
like Galeries Lafayette or Printemps. Or look for the Prisunic and Monoprix chains, which have
lower prices and are more for everyday shopping (sort of like the French version of Target).

• Paris: Fashion, art, antiques, perfume, food and wine—really, you can buy just about
anything in Paris.

• Normandy: Look for salted caramels, rich cheeses, apple pastries, hard cider, and
calvados apple brandy. Items with images of the Bayeux Tapestry are popular, as are
anything with Joan of Arc (who spent her last days in Rouen). Lastly, World War II and
D-Day are remembered in books, images, slogans, and more throughout the region.

• Provence: Typical products include fragrant lavender sachets and beauty products, olive
oil, tapenade spread, rosé wines, and SP]MP^ OP []ZaPYNP. The region is also known for its
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And don’t forget the table linens and handbags in brightly-colored fabrics known as
indienne patterns—the most sought-after (and expensive) are by Souleiado.

• The Rivera: Designer names dominate the French Riviera, but there are also plenty of
local products too, especially at the colorful open-air markets.

• Bordeaux and the Southwest: The Bordeaux region is so famous for its wines that
they are known all over the world just by the name of the region. In addition to wine,
1]LYNPɪ^ ^Z`_SbP^_ T^ LW^Z VYZbY QZ] T_^ ʭYP QZZO^ WTVP QZTP R]L^, Toulouse sausages,
and croquants (similar to biscotti). Lastly, Occitan crosses (also called Languedoc
crosses) are symbolic of the region, as are items with artwork by Impressionist painter
Toulouse-Lautrec.

Value-Added Tax: The French value-added tax (VAT) is typically 19.6% and can be as high
as 33.33% on luxury articles. Depending on how much you spend on certain goods, you may
be eligible for a partial refund of this tax. Ask the shopkeeper or salesperson at the time of
purchase. Be sure to save all receipts for Customs. (Generally, you have to spend over 175€ at
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our ships do not have VAT forms.

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges

For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs &
Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked
questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with
you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

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