London and Paris...

[Phaedron]

So we've just booked a family trip to London and Paris (1 week in each) for late June/early July. I searched the threads but nothing jumped out at me as far as the issue of-- Can anyone recommend tobacconists/lounges in each of those cities? Are there even such things in London, as I've heard they have a pretty tight smoking ban? Thanks!

 

[AlohaStyle]

In London... the LCDH managed by Ajay is my pick. There are a handful of nice shops including JJ Fox, and a few from C Gars Ltd among others.

Can't help you in Paris, check out the LCDH listings.

 

[pbibby]

In London... the LCDH managed by Ajay is my pick. There are a handful of nice shops including JJ Fox, and a few from C Gars Ltd among others.

Can't help you in Paris, check out the LCDH listings.

Never been there, but I know Ajay is a standup guy with as much knowledge as anyone out there. Plus he has an insane collection of aged cigars

 

[KcJason1]

JJ Fox is Londons oldest cigar store. They also have Winston Churchill chair in their museum. I believe you can even sit in it.

 

[CO Smokes]

In Paris there is a shop called A la Civette that I've heard good things about. Never been myself but I guess it's worth checking out

 

[Phaedron]

Thanks!! And I definitely want to post a photo of me in Churchill's chair...!

 

[Phaedron]

Today's the day we're heading out! If any B's or S's OTL are in London this week or Paris next week, PM me for a possible mini-herf. (And if anyone else has tobacconist recommendations, I'd still love to hear them!)

 

[iergeni]

In Paris there is a shop called A la Civette that I've heard good things about. Never been myself but I guess it's worth checking out

I've been there recently. Very wide selection, though you'll really want to inspect the sticks before buying.

 

[Phaedron]

Advice for future travelers-- I've discovered that, despite an indoor smoking ban in London, one can still enjoy a drink and a smoke at the terrace bar at the Hippodrome Casino at Leicester Square. They sell Habanos (exorbitant) and there's a hookah on every table.

 

[Phaedron]

Just back from across the pond. Went to the recommended J.J. Fox in London and A La Civette in Paris. Fox was definitely the better store, sitting in Churchill's chair was fun. A La Civette didn't have quite the selection and, more disturbingly, many of their cigars were exhibiting mold blooms. Many, but not all-- and I did walk away with several fine Cubans from A La Civette. If you have a travel itinerary that takes you to London AND Paris, my advice is to resist purchasing any cigars in London (or in the UK in general) and make all your purchases in Paris (or France in general). It turns out that the French government enforces strict price controls on tobacco, such that fine cigars (e.g. Cubans) in Paris are about half the cost of what they are in the UK. As it turns out, Paris has "Tabac" stores all over the place, and I found a pharmacy on Champs-Élysées that had a walk-in humidor with a very good selection-- I bought several sticks there, as well.