France and lack of cigars.

[whisky77]

I just spent two weeks touring the South of France and I was really disappointed with the lack of cigar shops. I only came across one decent shop in the time I was there, and the prices were comparable with UK prices.

I had assuned that there would be the same amount of interest in cigars as there is in mainland Spain and could not believe that there were so few good smoke shops, additionally I never saw one other cigar smoker in the time i was there. Not what I had expected at all.

[Habana-Habanos]

Wouldn't surprise me. Not all people can taste the fine hobby of luxury cigar smoking.

[G-man]

Reason why : They probably surrender their taste buds !

[Habana-Habanos]

Haha..

[Smallclub]

1/ Spain is the biggest market for habanos in general, but France is the first market for premium habanos.
In 2006 the cigar market was valued at 1.800.000.000 units sold per year. They have to be sold somewhere…

2/ Tobacco is a state monopoly.
A tobacconist in France is a gouvernment agent. The margin on cigars is only 6%. That's why there are no cosy, luxury tobacco shops with mahogany paneling and house pipe blends here.
(tobacco blending is illegal)
This is something one can learn by inquiring a bit when preparing a trip…

3/ As a matter of fact, all the good retailers are located in the bigger cities.

[TJCoro]

A Taste of France!

Reason why : They probably surrender their taste buds !

1/ Spain is the biggest market for habanos in general, but France is the first market for premium habanos...

2/ Tobacco is a state monopoly...

3/ As a matter of fact, all the good retailers are located in the bigger cities.

Ha! Take that, senor GAS (aka G-strapman)

[eggopp]

Oh i normally go to a tobac in Calais where you can get a good assortment of cubans when your passing through and a lot cheaper than uk prices.. Maybe i just got lucky but i always use the same two stores for a little variety

[Kdot]

Good to see you back on here Whisky, I found the lack of outlets in the south of France to be similar when I went. Luckily I was traveling from switzerland so was up to my eyes in smokes!

[G-man]

Things that make you go huMMMMMMMM

Good to see you back on here Whisky, I found the lack of outlets in the south of France to be similar when I went. Luckily I was traveling from switzerland so was up to my eyes in smokes!

Eye thought your eyebrows looked strange

[daverave999]

Smallclub, you say tobacco blending is illegal - does that mean all the pipe tobacco is imported? I understood France was quite the centre of excellence for pipe making at one point? Seems a strange law to have - do you know the reasoning behind it?

[Robusto]

The French have a couple of cigar magazines - like French CAs, but independent - which sit on the magazine racks with the hunting mags. They are an interesting read, and we don't have a British equivalent. Where the US mag might concentrate on private jets and boats, you're more likely to learn which chateau restaurant to eat a lovely soup in in the French ones. And they do great features about buxom young actresses with cigars from time to time. A great diversion.

I've always found you are more likely to pick up a good couple of sticks in certain tabacs, rather than in a JJ Fox affair, in the big towns.

I know what you mean price-wise, Whisk. There are no cigar bargains to be found.

[Smallclub]

I know what you mean price-wise, Whisk. There are no cigar bargains to be found.

No bargain, but some prices are still much lower than in the UK?
some examples:
? Bolivar corona extra ?6.90 ? UK: ?11.49
? Bolivar Inmensas ?9.20 ? UK: ?13.49
? ERDM Choix Supr?me ?7.90 ? UK: ?9.99
? SLR churchill ?11.40 ? UK: ?17.99
? Por Larra?aga PC ?5.30 ? UK: ?8.00

Prices are set by government decree, they are the same everywhere in France.

[Stevieboy]

I struggled to find dedicated shops when I was in Carcassone but there were a few newsagents with decent stock. Prices were pretty good too. I bought some JL Obus for around ?10 each...not bad for an RE

[Flying Cigar]

1/ Spain is the biggest market for habanos in general, but France is the first market for premium habanos.
In 2006 the cigar market was valued at 1.800.000.000 units sold per year. They have to be sold somewhere?

2/ Tobacco is a state monopoly.
A tobacconist in France is a gouvernment agent. The margin on cigars is only 6%. That's why there are no cosy, luxury tobacco shops with mahogany paneling and house pipe blends here.
(tobacco blending is illegal)
This is something one can learn by inquiring a bit when preparing a trip?

3/ As a matter of fact, all the good retailers are located in the bigger cities.

1/ Frank can you explain the 1.800.000.000 units, please, you have lost me with the billions or is it Euros ??
And what is it about being the "first market" for premium Habanos, in relation to what - UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Liechtenstein ??
Where does it matter ??

2/ Tobacco is a state monopoly in Spain as well.
Estancos are Government agents and not much more profit margin than farther up north, but still available any & everywhere.
Not cozy either, but still around & abound.

3/ As a matter of fact, cigars available anywhere at reasonable prices in Spain - Estancos, shops, bars, r?staurants.

4/ Cigar Prices are the same all over Spain by law.

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=Flying Cigar;113999]1/ Frank can you explain the 1.800.000.000 units, please, you have lost me with the billions



I read that as meaning the number of individual cigars, but to achieve that sort of number they must be including every pack of mini's sold as ten units.