Best Things to Do:
HEMA: Good, Cute, and Affordable Products
This article is part of the series 'Paris on a Budget'. Click here to read all the posts.
We can define HEMA as a mix between IKEA and your neighborhood 5-and-Dime. The Dutch brand, whose name means 'Dutch Society of Single Prices of Amsterdam' (Hollandsche Eenheidsprijzen Maatschappij Amsterdam), originated during the economic crisis of the 1920s. Its founders, two Jewish entrepreneurs, aimed to provide affordable everyday products with good design and quality for those on a tight budget. Initially, these products cost 10, 25, and 50 cents.
Currently, HEMA has stores in various European countries, including France. In Paris, there are 4 locations selling:
- clothing and bed, table, bath, and kitchen items;
- small appliances;
- decorative and office supplies;
- hygiene and beauty products;
- women's, men's, and children's clothing;
- party and picnic supplies;
- tasty typical snacks like pain d'épice (spice bread), stroopwafels (thin caramel-filled waffles), butter cookies, chocolates, teas, etc.
All products are designed and manufactured in-house and are good, cute, and affordable. A perfect combination. As the company states: ''HEMA stands for simplicity, clarity, quality, and honesty''. I still prefer IKEA, which is much better and more comprehensive, but since its stores are located outside of Paris, HEMA is a great alternative.
It's also a great option for buying travel souvenirs - of course, nothing will say 'PARIS' on it. But you can be creative!
I've talked a bit about HEMA in the article Where to Buy Christmas Decorations in Paris. A more than relevant post for this time of year.
120 rue Rambuteau, 75001
86 rue du Faubourg St Antoine, 75012
Gare du Nord, Level 1, Mezzanine Grandes Lignes/Suburbs
112 rue de Maubeuge, 75010
Centre Commercial Gare Saint-Lazare, 1 cour de Rome, 75008
Discounts and Gifts for paris-story.com Readers
GALERIES LAFAYETTE: Gifts on purchases over 50 euros made at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, click here for more information and to download vouchers.
FRAGRANCE DE L'OPÉRA PERFUMERY: 10€ off for every 150€ spent at Fragrance de l'Opéra - click here for all the details and to download the voucher.
CARRÉ OPÉRA PHARMACY: 10% off on purchases made at Carré Opéra Pharmacy - click here for all the details and to download the voucher.
HOTEL SAINT ANDRES DES ARTS (charming 4-star in Saint Germain): 10% off + 1 bottle of wine + breakfast - use code CONEXAOEXCLUSIVE when booking on the hotel's website, click here to access.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: 5% off when purchasing your Travel Insurance using code CONEXAO5. Travel insurance is one of the documents that may be required upon entering Europe, click here to learn more.
TICKETS: 5% off on tickets, tours, and activities sold on Tiqets using code CONEXAOPARIS, click here to access the site.
- GALERIES LAFAYETTE: Gifts on purchases over 50 euros made at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, click here for more information and to download vouchers.
- FRAGRANCE DE L'OPÉRA PERFUMERY: 10€ off for every 150€ spent at Fragrance de l'Opéra - click here for all the details and to download the voucher.
- CARRÉ OPÉRA PHARMACY: 10% off on purchases made at Carré Opéra Pharmacy - click here for all the details and to download the voucher.
- HOTEL SAINT ANDRES DES ARTS (charming 4-star in Saint Germain): 10% off + 1 bottle of wine + breakfast - use code CONEXAOEXCLUSIVE when booking on the hotel's website, click here to access.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: 5% off when purchasing your Travel Insurance using code CONEXAO5. Travel insurance is one of the documents that may be required upon entering Europe, click here to learn more.
- TICKETS: 5% off on tickets, tours, and activities sold on Tiqets using code CONEXAOPARIS, click here to access the site.