[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places for Shopping in Paris | TrotterHop

Shopping in Paris is renowned for its intriguing charm and world-class landmarks. It offers a plethora of stores, from designer brands to vintage boutiques. No matter the style or budget, there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

The Champs-Élysées is a must-see for anyone visiting the French capital. It is home to some of the biggest names in fashion and a range of luxury stores. For a more affordable experience, head to the Galeries Lafayette or Printemps, two of the city’s largest department stores and the ideal place to pick up souvenirs.

The Marais district is the ideal destination for those looking for something unique. This area is full of quaint boutiques and vintage shops offering one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find anywhere else. With its narrow cobbled streets and vibrant atmosphere, this area gives you a real insight into Parisian life.

Paris has everything if you’re looking for designer labels or unique finds. So, why not spend a day browsing the boutiques and soaking up the city’s charm?

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Paris

1. Champs Elysees

Champs D’Élysées is undoubtedly the most well-known shopping street in Paris. The majestic Arc de Triomphe makes the street even more beautiful. However, when it comes to shopping, I would not necessarily choose Champs D’Élysées. I would take my wife to a Louis Vuitton store if she wanted to, but finding one-of-a-kind items is not what Champs D’Élysées is known for.

If you are looking for a better shopping experience with top-quality brands, other streets in Paris are less crowded and nicer. It all depends on what kind of experience you want from your trip to Paris. If you want to go to Zara, Champs D’Élysées is a great option. However, if you are looking for unique, expensive goods that can only be found in Paris, I suggest exploring two alternate locations. These locations offer complimentary cucumber water and light snacks, providing an even more luxurious shopping experience.

2. Rue St Honoré

Rue St Honoré is the place to go shopping in Paris if you are looking for the best and most fashionable items. Located in one of the oldest districts in the city, this bustling street is a mix of iconic landmarks, which remind of the past, and designer stores that showcase the newest styles. 

Christian Louboutin, Clergerie, Ex Nihilo, and Guerlain are just some of the many stores in the area selling footwear and fragrances. After a day of shopping, visitors can take a short walk to some of the most famous attractions in the city, such as the Louvre, Place Vendome, Palais Garnier, and the Tuileries Gardens.

3. Avenue Montaigne

Avenue Montaigne is renowned as one of the world’s most luxurious and opulent shopping streets. Its beauty is highlighted by the incredible architecture that lines its length. Shopping here is an experience, with high-end designer stores familiar to all and exclusive boutiques known only to fashionistas.

4. Rue de Rivoli

Rue de Rivoli is the ideal place to start your day in Paris. It offers the best of both worlds with various international brands such as Zara, H&M, Burberry, and Urban Outfitters. At the same time, it is just a short distance from some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

While walking east along the boulevard and alongside the stunning Tuileries Garden, you can observe the iconic Arc de Triomphe before spotting the Louvre’s famous glass pyramid. With great shopping and easy access to some of the city’s most famous attractions, Rue de Rivoli is a great place for travelers to visit.

5. Le Marais

Le Marais is one of the coolest shopping districts in Paris. It is renowned for its art galleries, fashion stores, and late-night party venues. Plenty of places exist to explore, from large shopping centers to innovative concept outlets.

One of the most popular places to visit is Le BHV Marais, a thriving department store opposite the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame Cathedral. It offers a vast array of 900 brands, from trendy high-street fashion to traditional homewares.

Another spot not to be missed is Merci, a 3-story boutique offering beautiful fashion and furnishings. It is the perfect place to complete your shopping experience in Le Marais.

6. Boulevard Saint-Germain

Boulevard Saint-Germain, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, is a renowned shopping destination. It is bordered by the Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, and Musée d’Orsay, all contributing to its opulent atmosphere. Along the street, you will find an array of fashion giants, such as Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, and Karl Lagerfeld, and stores selling unique furniture and delicious culinary treats.

The boulevard stretches from Pont de Sully to Pont de la Concorde and is lined with trees and historic buildings. At the western end, you will find the Latin Quarter, home to popular bookstores, fashion outlets, and charming markets. Notable markets include the Mouffetard Market and the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.

7. Westfield Forum des Halles

Westfield Forum des Halles is an iconic shopping center in the heart of Paris. Located on the same site as the historic Les Halles marketplace, which was demolished in 1971, it reopened in 2016, featuring striking contemporary architecture, including a canopy that provides natural light throughout the year.

Shoppers can find various stores, from high-end fashion labels to independent designers. Additionally, the center has a cinema, music academy, and superb restaurants. Le Champeaux, a modern yet laidback brasserie, is a must-visit. It is helmed by the renowned 3 Michelin-starred chefs Alain Ducasse.

8. Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette is a luxurious shopping experience located on Boulevard Haussmann. Established in 1912, this grand department store spans 70,000 square meters and is renowned for its upscale fashion, homewares, and lifestyle brands. At the heart of the building is a 43-meter-tall cupola that can be spotted from across the city.

When visiting Galeries Lafayette, it is best to set aside an entire morning or afternoon to explore the three interconnected art nouveau buildings. Here, you will find designer clothing for men and women and extensive sections for cosmetics, electronics, jewelry, and more. Additionally, Lafayette Maison and Gourmet, a separate building, offers a plethora of international restaurants and food stores.

9. Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris, and its location in the 6th arrondissement, home to the 17th-century Luxembourg Gardens, adds to the store’s distinguished history. Founded in 1838, the store has undergone renovations, allowing it to offer high-end goods across fashion, food, and homewares.

The store’s architecture is also an attraction, having been expanded by Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower. Glass ceilings and art deco escalators adorn numerous stores and spaces. To make the most of your visit, head across the street to La Grande Épicerie de Paris, the department store’s culinary landmark.

10. Canal Saint-Martin

Canal Saint-Martin is the ideal place to shop in Paris if you want to escape the crowds. This trendy, leafy part of town is home to various street art, footpath cafes, and chic modern art galleries. If you’re looking to shop, you’ll find many lovely places there. 

You’ll find some of the brightest clothes at independent designer Antoine et Lili. For fashion and footwear from some of the world’s most stylish brands, head over to Le Centre Commercial. Artazart is the perfect place to find books and art prints to take home with you.

11. La Vallée Village

Paris fashionistas looking for designer pieces such as Karl Lagerfeld little black dresses, Gucci loafers, and Zadig & Voltaire biker jackets don’t necessarily have to shop at expensive designer boutiques along Rue Saint Honoré or in the Golden Triangle. Instead, they can head to La Vallée Village – a sprawling discount designer fashion outlet mall just beyond the city outskirts.

At La Vallée Village, you can find 110+ shops with French, European, and American designers such as Givenchy, Isabel Marant, Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, The Kooples, Burberry, Valentine, Ferragamo, and Armani. Although you won’t find the most exclusive brands, such as Hèrmes or Chanel, you can usually find 20-30% savings up to well over 50%, with some items offering discounts on top of the regular marked-down prices. During the annual summer and winter sales, almost every boutique offers additional discounts for the best deals.

The shops at La Vallée Village are open seven days/a week from 10 am to 7 pm (8 pm in summer). It’s easy to get there from Paris.

12. Les Puces Flea Market

The Les Puces Paris Flea Market at Saint-Ouen/Clignancourt is the biggest in the world. It is more than one market – like a large village with over 3,000 boutiques, shops, and stalls filled with various items. You can find furniture from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, antique crystal chandeliers and brass candelabras, vintage clothing and jewelry, sculpture, and architectural pieces, larger-than-life-size statuary, vintage plumbing fixtures, paintings and posters, knives, frames, silver and kitchenware, books, musical instruments, prints, maps, Asian art objects, porcelain, antique and vintage toys, antique linens and rugs – plus much more.

When shopping, it is important to remember that whatever you purchase should fit in your suitcase for the journey home. However, if you find something too large, Les Puces offers onsite shipping services to ship your items home.

Les Puces is located on the outskirts of Paris and is easy to access by metro. There is also a hotel on the site, should you decide to stay for the weekend.

13. Montmartre

A different type of shopping awaits on the opposite side of the Sacre Coeur. The Marché Saint-Pierre district has dozens of shops offering discount fabrics, linens, boots, and clothing. At the intersection of Rue Briquet and Rue Seveste, the largest of these stores, Dreyfus – Marché Saint-Pierre, is a 5-floor fabric emporium with prices ranging from discounted to affordable to cheap. 

For those looking for more traditional clothing and accessories, the area west of the Sacre Coeur is the place to go. Here you’ll find designers, small boutiques with mostly French clothing and accessories, antique shops, art galleries, and vintage stores.  Starting near Cimetière des Montmartre, walk the length of Rue des Abbesses. You’ll pass small shops selling everything from clothing to jewelry to leather, along with plenty of cafes and bistros.

14. Bastille

The 11th arrondissement of Paris has been a favored area of furniture makers and woodworkers since the 12th century due to relatively cheap rents. However, rents have been rising recently, and the area has become increasingly trendy. Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine provides the main access to this area from Place de la Bastille. Although it has seen a number of French and global chain brands pop up in recent years, the maze of ancient passages, back alleys, and interior courtyards remains.

These hidden places are worth exploring if you’re looking for unique finds and emerging fashion trends, designers, and concepts. Start by walking east on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine and look for unexpected gateways and small signs for places starting with “Passage” and “Cour.” Then, wander down side streets such as Rue de Charonne, Rue de Montreuil, Rue Saint-Bernard, and Rue de Dahomey. You may even find artisans at work, creating their craft.

15. Village Saint-Paul

Village Saint-Paul is a hidden gem in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, located in the Saint Paul Quartier. Originally founded as a women’s monastery in 630, this area has been preserved with its medieval atmosphere, as it is protected with heritage status. It is filled with over 80 artisans, galleries, boutiques, antique shops, and bistros, making it one of the most charming places to find specialty items in the city.

The area can easily be missed, as it is tucked away in a quiet corner of the Marais, similar to the Palais Royal arcades. It is a maze of interconnected courtyards and passages, and once you’re inside, you will forget you’re in Paris. Each shop is unique and offers a variety of items ranging from affordable to more expensive pieces. The selections also change frequently, so you never know what to find.

Shopping in Paris FAQ

Where is there good shopping in Paris?

If you are looking for good shopping in Paris, the Golden Triangle is a must-do. The Left Bank lifestyle can be found in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Sèvres Babylone, and Rue de Rennes. The historic shopping district is located in Haussmann-Opéra-Saint-Lazare, and trendy fashion brands can be found in the Marais. For a bourgeois bohemian haven, visit Martyrs–Pigalle.

What are two famous shops in Paris?

Some famous shops in Paris include the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Printemps Haussmann, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, La Samaritaine, and Le BHV Marais.

What is the best to buy from Paris?

The best items to purchase in Paris are luxurious clothes and accessories. For souvenirs, books, replicas of the Eiffel Tower, champagne, wine, and chocolates make great gifts.

What is unique to buy in Paris?

You can only buy Angelina chocolate in Paris, which is well known for its chocolate. Additionally, you can purchase Buly soap, Bouquins of Paris, Bellota-Bellota hams, Parisian tea, Parisian chocolate, Thoïonade, and Rive Gauche, Rive Droite tote bags in the city.

Are Chanel bags cheaper in France?

Fortunately, both Chanel and Louis Vuitton have stores in Paris, France, and Chanel bags are cheaper than in the US. This is due to the Value Added Tax refund available when shopping in Paris.

Why are luxury items cheaper in Paris?

Luxury items are cheaper in Paris because brands created in Europe are not subject to import tax, duty tax, and transportation costs when shipped to other parts of the world.

What luxury is cheaper in Paris?

In Paris and France, luxury brands such as Hermès, Givenchy, Christian Louboutin, Lancôme, Guerlain, Longchamp, Celine, Diptyque, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Balenciaga, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Loewe, Valentino, and Moncler are all available at a lower price than in other locations.