Shopping in Paris

Paris is a shopping mecca. Parisians are famous for their sense of fashion.  One can find all types of stores from haute-couture to the flea market and everything in between. No matter where you are, streets are usually filled with stores in which you can always find nice clothing, handbags, shoes, scarves and accessories.

Twice a year, during winter (Jan-Feb) and summer months (Jun-Jul) the stores have their famous sale which lasts about a month.  Most stores are closed on Sundays.  Wondering if you are Petite in France? Check out Petite or not Petite article?

There are four main department stores in Paris:

- Galeries Lafayette

40, Blvd Haussman

Paris 9

Metro: Havre-Caumartin, Opéra

-Au Printemps

69,  Blvd Haussman

Paris 9

Metro: Havre-Caumartin, Opéra

- Au Bon Marché

22, Rue de Sèvre

Paris 7

Metro: Sèvres-Babylone

- La Samaritaine          **** Still closed for renovations! ****

19, Rue de la Monnaie

Paris 1

Metro: Pont Neuf, Louvre-Rivoli

Most Haute-Couture stores are clustered at or near Ave. Montaigne and Fabourg-St-Honoré.

Chanel, Christian Dior, and Valentino are examples of stores on Ave. Montaigne whereas Nina Ricci, Yves St. Laurant, Hermés, and Versaci (for men) are some of the haute couture stores on  Rue du Faubourg-St-Honoré.  You can also find prestigious and expensive antique and art shops at Faubourg-St-Honoré.

Other famous antique shops are located at in Carré Rive Gauch (Left Bank) in the St. Germain area between Rue de Bac, Rue de l'Université, Rue de Lille and Rue des Saints Pères. Or you can check out the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, the Parisian Flea Market at Rue des Roisers (Paris 18 - Metro: Port de Clignancourt or Garibaldi). At the flea market you can find antiques, furniture, jewellery, books or second hand goods   Mind you, it is not necessarily cheap!

Some of the few malls worth mentioning in Paris are  Galeires des Champs, Point show, Elysees 26 and Rond Point which are all located at Champs-Elyseés. Forum des Halles (currently under renovation), in Paris 1, is a large mall filled with all kinds of store including FNAC.

Tati is a large budget shopping store in Paris located at 4, Blvd Rochechouart in Paris 18.

For discount outlet stores you can also head to Quai des Marque at Ile St. Denis (395 rue du Général Leclerc) near Paris where you can find last season's designer fashions at a discounted price. Quai des Marque is closed on Sundays. (You maay need a car to get there!)

At Rue Meslay by Metro Repbulic you can find shoe wholesalers who also deal with the public.

For handbags, don't forget Lancel or Louis Vuitton. You can find both in either Champs-Elysées or St. Germain areas.

Annick Goutal offers unique old fashion made perfumes.  They are pricy but very unique. (Alternatively visit our Boutique to buy it online). For make up you can go to the department stores, Sephora at Champs-Elysées or Guerlin which has a store at Champs-Elysées as well.

For a casual sport look with great quality don't miss Compagnie de Californie, with various locations all over Paris.

Finally for your groceries you can  head to Monoprix, the main supermaket in Paris.

Shopping Tips:

The price you see is the price you pay.  Normally, taxes are included in the prices of clothing or other goods in France.

If you are over 15 years of age, non EU residents and shop at least €175 in a major department store in one day, you may qualify for tax refund. Check with the stores for more information.

Happy shopping!