Paris, the city of love, is not just the chicest, with fashionistas walking down the streets clad in the trendiest outfits. It is also home to the top luxury brands of the world. So, it’d be downright weird if you wrap up your Parisian holiday without visiting some of the areas considered a paradise for shopaholics. If not all, pick a few of these below-listed destinations and head back home clad in elegant black jeans paired with a beige silk blouse, a classic silk scarf, a statement pair of pumps, and a structured bag even if you left home in a frumpy loungewear.
10 Best Shopping Destinations In Paris
1. Le Marais
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The historic Le Marais is a hub for high-end boutiques, vintage shops, and restaurants. It is one of the top frequented places by shoppers with an eye for unique and finely-crafted antiques and artistries - a must-stop for any shopping itinerary. Le Marais encompasses the Upper Marais and the Lower Marais. While the former houses designer stores by artists new to the field, the latter is known for big-name brands and fashion houses. Though you can visit the neighborhood on any day of the week, the ideal is on a Sunday. The neighborhood remains open even on Sundays.
Location: 3rd and 4th Arrondissement, 75004 Paris What to buy: Vintage items, handcrafted jewelry, skincare, perfumes
2. Avenue Montaigne
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If you love collecting rare pieces from Dior, Chanel, and the like, you really shouldn’t skip Paris’s Avenue Montaigne. Between Champs-Elysées and the Seine River stands Avenue Montaigne, the city’s fanciest shopping avenue. It hosts luxury French and international fashion stores, including a majestic Dior boutique and flagship stores of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Bonpoint, Cloé, Valentino, Bulgari, Armani, Chopard, Prada, Gucci, Givenchy, Fendi, Celine, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, La Perla, Nina Ricci, Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Ferragamo, CourrègesHermes, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana. However, bear in mind that you’d need an appointment/ reservation to step inside some of these.
Location: 8th arrondissement, 75008, Paris Timings: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM What to buy: Luxury items
3. The Champs Elysées
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The commercial area of Champs Élysées stretches for a mile through the posh 8th arrondissement, accommodating global fashion stores including Louis Vuitton, Zara, Sephora, Tiffany, Cartier, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, Gap, H&M, Disney Store, L'Occitane en Provence, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, Cartier, Swarovski, Adidas, and Fnac. Inarguably, the area is one of the preferred shopping destinations of big spenders. Central Paris is car-free on the first Sunday of each month. So, if you don’t want to be bothered by honking cars, save the first Sunday of the month to stroll through Champs-Elysées.
Location: 8th arrondissement, 75008, Paris Timings: 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM What to buy: Luxury goods
4. Empreintes
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For one-of-a-kind, limited edition goods, you need to drop in Empreintes. It is a multi-level concept store with over 1000 carefully - curated decorative wares - taking shoppers on a journey into the French ateliers. With goods ranging from fine jewelry to scarves to cushions to tableware to furniture to sculptural ceramics, each floor has something different to offer and caters to different tastes and pockets. Unlike other stores that sell the same pieces throughout the year, the theme of the products at Empreintes changes every two months.
Location: 5 Rue de Picardie, 75003 Paris Timings: Tuesday - Saturday: 11 AM - 01:00 PM, 02:00 - 07:00 PM, Sunday and Monday: Closed. What to buy: Souvenirs and gifts
5. Triangle d'Or
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A woman who skips this triangulation of Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V, and Rue François 1er in the 8th arrondissement is committing a great sin. You’ll be spoilt for choice, and the dazzling array of irresistible flagship stores from Dior to Prada will leave you smitten and no less overwhelmed. If you have good money to splurge on, Triangle d'Or will be no less than a paradise for you.
Location: 8th arrondissement, Triangle d’Or, Paris Timings: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM What to buy: Designer wear and accessories
6. La Vallée Village
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Yes, Paris is home to the chicest fashion in the world. But not all Parisian fashionistas buy their Gucci, Zadig & Voltaire, Burberry, Michael Kors, and Karl Lagerfeld from high-end boutiques. Instead of the notoriously famous Triangle d’Or and the like, they opt for La Vallée Village, an outlet for discounted designer wears on the outskirts of the city. True, it’s not as laden with limited editions as in the other fancy shopping destinations. And you will not find exclusive brands like Chanel or Dior here. As for the discount percentage, it varies from brand to brand and item to item ranging from 20 to 50%. On some rare occasions, you might even come across 70% off on some items. If you aren’t in a hurry, wait for the summer and winter sales for additional discounts on top of the regular.
Location: 3 Cours de la Garonne, 77700 Serris, France Timings:Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM, Saturday: 09:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM What to buy: Clothing, watches, and jewelry at discounted prices
7. Les Puces/ Les Puces de Saint-Ouen/Les Puces de Clignancourt
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Les Puces is not just any flea market but the largest flea market village in the entire world. With over 3000 boutiques and stalls inside, it will take you a weekend easily to explore the entirety of the market. And if you want to take your time selecting the best pieces, you know better that you need more than just two days. You will literally get anything and everything in this village - from French and European antiques that date back to the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to books. The market has onsite shipping services that will help you transport your purchase without a scratch to your doorstep.
Location: 140 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen Timings: Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM What to buy: Vintage clothing, classic shoes, antiques, household items, musical instruments, etc.
8. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
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Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche or Le Bon Marche, the world’s oldest departmental store is inarguably one of the most iconic shopping destinations in Paris. Spread across six floors; you’ll see diverse themes with their own offerings on each floor. If not for the products, you must visit the store for its unique ambiance. It’s the world’s first departmental store, after all.
Location: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France Timings:Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM - 07:30 PM What to buy: Clothes, accessories, furniture, etc.
9. St. Paul Village
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If you love collecting vintage items, you can do yourself a favor and add St. Paul Village to your itinerary. It offers a diverse collection, from vintage jewelry to lamps, clocks, and ceramic dishes. True! There are numerous vintage stores scattered across the city. But when it comes to this particular village, it’s more about the vibe and less about the features and products. With cobbles streets and courtyards, the place emanates an ancient vibe you may not experience anywhere else.
Location: Rue Saint-Paul, 75004 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM/ 08:00 PM What to buy: Costume jewelry, vintage items
10. Chocolate Debauve And Gallais
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A well-thought gift you can take away home from your Parisian trip is French chocolate. To the French people, chocolate is not just a confectionery. It's an art form and a crucial part of French culture and cuisine. Besides fashion, the country has also made a name for producing high-quality chocolates via traditional techniques.
Location: 30 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM What to buy: Crafted chocolates
That’s ‘Paris on a list.’ Certainly, there are more places to go shopping in Paris. But it’s not practical to include each Parisian store and boutique in this article. However, we hope our little shopping guide definitely gave you an idea about where to head for an ultimate shopping experience.
