The 45 minute bus ride seemed to have given all the shoppers on board just enough time to get themselves ready for the 6 hours or so of shopping. All the stores are setup for a boutique experience at marked down prices with inventory from last year or a few seasons ago, as mandated by French law. Mark down varies but saw several items drop by 50 to 70% off.

Many top brands and mid-range French brands are in this Village which to me is a very pleasant surprise. The usual suspects are well represented tenants of the Village and several popular local brands. You will not be disappointed.

While there are many brands, the property thankfully is not very large. But large enough to keep a happy shopper very busy the whole day.

What i want to share here is the VIP treatment that we got by special invitation to The Apartment. From what i hear, most people dont have time to see this awesome place even if they get an invitation. Certain requirements are needed to qualify access to a high luxe experience. Sweets, light refreshments are available as well as its own powder room. Very tastefully decorated with influence of the English with beautiful appointments and touches of French finds from everywhere, i was told. Manned by Mr Yousseaf, a very efficient Hospitality Manager and dont take his youth too lightly, he has more up his sleeves than meets the eye. Well, as an Asian, these are just some my observations.

Yes : they have bus Service from Rue des Pyramides location in Paris City Vision in the 1st Arrondissement; By the Tuilleries. A bus stop is a few meters away while the Metro stop is quite a distance to walk but doable. The return bus trip early in the evening can take well over an hour.

Yes : they do cash and credit card charge back de taxe but be forewarned, best to queue 1 whole hour before the bus departure as the queue can become long and the process lengthy. There are limited counters ( I think just 4 ) to Service the de taxe process. I know, not enough. Also, please bring your passport to do this.

Yes : 9am bus departs from Paris with return at 4pm and 6:30pm or thereabouts. Please reconfirm directly in their office or website.

Yes : there are many Mainland Chinese shopkeepers as well as French people.

Yes : they accept UnionPay credit cards

Yes : they have a few shops that sell colognes and Parfums like Annick Goutal

Yes : they have an ice cream stand and a cafe or a shop that sells sandwiches and beverages.

Yes : for those qualified, they offer hands free shopping which means you shop and leave items purchased in the store to be delivered and for you to collect in the Welcome Center. But do collect 30 to 45 minutes before the bus leaves. The queue can be long.

For those who are not into shopping, there is a small Gallery of beautiful photographs which we enjoyed when we came to visit.