1. Famous department stores and shopping malls in Paris

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Printemps — two most famous department stores

Suitable for tourists: who travel with the group or whose travel time is very limited, could select this itinerary to save time and to shop more.

Main reasons to visit: convenient location, easy communication, variety of selections

If you shop in France, you will think of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Printemps Haussmann in the first time. Why? Because they have all the brands in one place. You can buy all the things you want at one-stop.

These two shopping malls are the most well-known shopping centers in Paris for tourists, which offer a large range of products, including perfumes, beauty products, clothes, shoes, handbags, belts, wallets, watches, jewellery, fashion accessories, and etc..

If you don’t speak French, that’s OK. The staff can speak English or Chinese, so you don’t have to worry about the communication problem. Imagine that when you walk into the watch counter, you hear dialects. In order to facilitate customers to quickly find the products, many brands will add translation to the promotional materials.

But we would like to objectively talk about the disadvantages of these large shopping malls. Lafayette is always overcrowded. You have to take the time to pay and to wait for tax refunds. Thus, the experience could be spoiled by long waiting. Printemps has few tour groups compared to Lafayette, so you don’t need to wait for a long time for a tax refund.

There is a must-go place for young people called Citadium – the youth department of the Printemps. It offers the best of fashion, sneaker and accessories with more than 250 iconic or emerging brands and suitable for 15-25-year-olds. Many young Parisians often go shopping here. The address is 56 Rue de Caumartin, 75009 Paris.

In addition, these two shopping mall is close to Opéra Garnier, which considered as a symbol of Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. After shopping, you can go visit the Opéra and have a coffee at Café de la Paix. If you have only three or four hours of shopping and eating time, Lafayette and Printemps are the most convenient option.

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Opening time:
Monday-Saturday: 09:30-20:30
Sunday: 11:00-20:00

Printemps Haussmann
Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Opening time:
Monday-Saturday: 09:35-20:00 (except Thursday)
Thursday: 09:35-20:45
Sunday: 11:00-19:00

How to get there: You can take a taxi to Galerie Lafayette or take the subway to “Chaussée d’Antin – La Fayette.”

Bon Marché and BHV Marais — two uncrowded shopping centers that worth to take a look

Suitable for people: who have enough time and want to experience the real Parisian shopping atmosphere, could select this itinerary to avoid long queue and enjoy the fun of shopping.

Main reasons to visit: avoid the long queue, artistic atmosphere, trendy brands

If you do not want to be a tourist, or simply to avoid the crowded place. Here are two shopping centers, Bon Marché and BHV Marais. There are a variety of trendy brands, with relatively fewer customers, and better service.

Le Bon Marché located in the southern bank of the river Seine in Paris, which called “La Rive Gauche” (in English: the Left Bank). It is located in the middle of the 7th and 6th districts – the rich district of Paris. Due to the time, the general bus tour bus will not send tourists to the left bank. Many local people will go to this place for shopping. On road “rue de sévre”, most well-known brands are set up here which will lead you to Bon Marché. For Hermès lovers, there is an opened store on 17 rue de sévre.

Bon Marché is a real Parisian department store, and become a must-go shopping place for the well-known actors, international music stars and fashion bloggers. You’ll have the chance to meet your idols, especially during Paris’s Fashion Week. After being acquired by LVMH, Bon Marché pays great attention to the artistic atmosphere. The entire mall is like an art gallery. You can find artwork, such as the Pensées sauvages, by Adrienne Farb. If you have enough time, it is worth to go to Le Bon Marché for shopping.

BHV MARAIS is just next to the Paris City Hall. It is the entrance of Marais District, the famous Parisian niche fashion brands gathering place. If you have enough time, you can start from the BHV MARAIS, and then go into the Marais District and explore trendy shops.

Compared to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Printemps Haussmann, the shopping environment of Le Bon Marché and BHV MARAIS is more leisure and less crowded. You will avoid the long queue, save the time and enjoy the real Parisian shopping atmosphere.

Bon Marché
Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
Opening time:
Monday-Saturday: 10:00-20:00 (except Thursday)
Thursday: 10:00-20:45
Sunday: 11:00-19:45

How to get there: You can take a taxi to Bon Marché or take the subway to “Sèvres – Babylone.”

BHV MARAIS
Address: 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Opening time:
Monday-Saturday: 09:30-20:00 (except Saturday)
Saturday: 09:30-20:30
Sunday: 11:00-20:00

How to get there: You can take a subway and get off at Hotel de Ville.

2. Famous Discounted Outlet Village and Duty-free Shop in Paris

Suitable for people: who like the luxury brands of good value, could select this itinerary to save money and to visit the famous places in Paris.

Main reasons to visit: attractive discounts, close to one of the famous places in Paris such as Disneyland, the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum

Shopping in Discounted Outlet village —La Vallée Village

Main reasons to visit: attractive discounts, variety of selections, close to Disneyland

In this outlets village, almost all of the big brands with attractive discounts could be found. Compared to other European shopping villages, they provide more selections and a variety of products such as Claudie Pierlot, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and etc.

La Vallée Village is one of the best choices for people who love big brands and wish to buy them at a discounted price. The shortcoming is that it will spend a whole day shopping there and most of the merchandises are out-of-season. Please note that this place does not have the brands like LV, CHANEL and DIOR etc.

As the weather becomes colder, if you want to buy scarves and sweaters, don’t miss Eric Bompard – a French brand specialized in cashmere. It has been created 1300 shades and the style is very classic. It barely makes any differences if you purchase the scarves at the counter store or here, so it is more cost-effective to purchase here, whether for personal use or as gifts to your family or friends.

If you want to purchase white shirts, we suggest you visit Anne Fontaine – a brand specialized in white shirts. They combine traditional design and special decoration, which makes the shirt unique and fulfills woman expectations.

If you get tired, you can go to the Ladurée dessert shop for macarons or Amorino for ice creams. Ladurée was founded in 1862 and it is the most famous macarons dessert shop in Paris. It offers more than 10 flavours, you’ll love these colourful and delicious desserts. Amorino offers Italian gelato and many flavours as well. The characteristic appearance of the petal design makes it stand out among many ice creams and become a highly recognizable brand. It will be pleasant to take a break and eat macarons or ice creams after shopping halfway.

How to get there: You can take the RER A and then get off at Val de l’Europe. If you want to visit Disneyland, you can take the RER A and then get off at Gare de Marne la Vallée Chessy. It is just one stop close to Val de l’Europe. The address of Disneyland is Boulevard de Parc, 77700 Coupvray.

La Vallée Village
Address: 3 Cours de la Garonne, 77700 Serris
Opening time: Monday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00

Shopping in Discounted Outlet village — One Nation Paris

Main reasons to visit: attractive discounts, more local French brands, close to the Palace of Versailles

In this one nation village, there are more than 400 brands, including well-known french local brands and luxury brands. There are also many stores for children’s wearing, such as Tartine et Chocolat, Beaba and Kids Around. It is the largest fashion brand mall around Paris, and offers a year-round 30% to 70% discount, making it an ideal shopping area for tourists. The shopping environment here is very comfortable with modern decoration and the French style.

You can visit the Palace of Versailles and One Nation Paris Outlet together in one day by booking the shuttle tickets, which is very convenient. The round trip transfer only costs 24€. If you want to save time, you can book the Versailles palace admission and round-trip transfer together, which costs 42€. You can discover the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors in the morning and then shopping at the One Nation Paris in the afternoon. Please note that the brand lists do not include top luxury brands like LV, CHANEL and Hermes etc..
To book your shuttle tickets

How to get there: You can take the shuttle to One Nation Paris, it costs 12€ with two daily departures and returns from the Eiffel tower. Second option: Take the N Gare Montparnasse train station and then get off at Villepreux les Clayes. Then take the 8 bus route from Villepreux les Clayes, just one stop, you’ll arrive at One Nation Paris.
To check the departure time of Line N

One Nation Paris
Address: 1 Avenue du Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 78340 Les Clayes-sous-Bois
Opening time:
Monday-Sunday: 11:00-20:00 (except Saturday)
Saturday: 10:00-20:00

For duty-free shoppers—Paris Louvre Duty-Free KAMS 1960

Main reasons to visit: attractive discounts, multi-languages staff, Swiss watch collections, close to the Louvre Museum and Opera

If you miss something to buy or forget to buy some gifts for friends and family, here is a good choice —Paris Louvre Duty-Free shop. It has attractive discounts, thousands of products and the 7 language shopping guides. It has been in business since 1960 and has always received the consumers from all over the world. You can buy duty-free fragrances, bags and luggage, skincare and makeup products, jewelry and watches in this store. The location is very convenient. It is just a few hundred meters away from the Paris Opera and the Louvre Museum.

Paris Louvre Duty-Free KAMS 1960 
Address: 6 Avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris
Opening time:
Monday-Sunday: 10:00-19:00 (except Sunday)
Sunday: 12:00-19:00

3. Best shopping routes and places in Paris for luxury goods lover

Avenue Montaigne — the avenue where you can find all luxury flagship stores

Suitable for luxury goods lover: such as stars and rich people, because this route will cost you at least a few thousand euros.

Main reasons to visit: enjoy luxury service, variety collection of products, suitable for family shopping

If you have enough money and specialize in luxury high-end ready-to-wear, then Avenue Montaigne is definitely worth to go. On the street, you can find almost all the popular brands such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Harry Winston, Loewe, Max Mara, Céline, and etc.. The shopping experience is absolutely better than any other place.

If you think the flagship store of Louis Vuitton on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is too crowded and you can’t find the product you want, why not turn a corner and go to Montaigne Avenue and shopping slowly. If you want to buy popular products, you can call them and ask for stock availability before visiting the store.

The product range is more comprehensive here and the service is better. While drinking a glass of champagne, and waiting for the staff brings you the dream handbags. You can take your time slowly and enjoy shopping here, your husband and children could sit on the sofa and have a drink waiting for you.

How to get there: you can take a taxi to Avenue Montaigne or take a subway and get off at Franklin D. Roosevelt station.

Place Vendôme — the must go shopping place for the top luxury watches and the jewelries lover

Suitable for people: who want to purchase watches or jewelries, could select this itinerary and find your favourite collections and enjoy the luxury experience.

Main reasons to visit: variety selection of watches and jewelries, enjoy luxury service

For top luxury watches or jewelries lover, the place must go to is the Place Vendôme. Here brings together almost all of the world’s top luxury brands stores of jewelries and watches. You can begin with “Rue de la Paix” and “Rue Saint Honore.” These two streets are next to the square. To shop here, it’s like seeing a gentleman with a decent suit brings his elegant wife to choose the finest jewelry.

If you want to see a store that combines all major watch brands, you can go to the Dubail – one of the most well-known watch store in Europe. The address is 21 Place Vendôme. It displays the classic collections of major brands such as Rolex, Cartier and etc.. In addition, the major watch manufacturers will also launch the exclusive series, and only sell in Dubail store. If you are looking for a special style of watches, this place is definitely worth to go.

It is worth to mention that some of the proportion of tax refunds in the exclusive store would be 3-4% higher than the shopping mall, for example, PIAGET. Before you go, you can find the numbers on the brand’s official website, and call the brand to ask the tax refund proportion. It is very convenient.

After visiting the watch stores, you can go to the address 2 Place Vendôme. Louis Vuitton set up a new store here. It is worth to say that this Vendôme LV store is the only one that can display the printing service to customers.

If you get tired, you can go to the exquisite dessert shops next to the square and taste the delicacy. We recommend you the Ladurée dessert shop for macarons. The address is 14 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris. Additionally, one of the most beautiful hotel – Hotel Ritz Paris also located here at 15 Place Vendôme. It is well-known for delicious food and supreme service and attracts many social celebrities such as Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel and Frédéric François Chopin. It is a great place to take a rest or experience the French afternoon-tea.

Flagship stores of Watch at Place Vendôme: Rolex, Hublot, Blancpain, Boucheron, Patek Philippe, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Chopard, etc..

Flagship stores of Jewelry at Place Vendôme: Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, etc..

How to get there: you can take a taxi to the Rue de la Paix, and have a visit along the road, then go into the Place Vendôme.

Rue Saint-Honoré  — the must go shopping place for the top luxury goods lover

Suitable for people: who want to purchase high-end niche luxury brands, could select this itinerary and find your favourite collections.

Main reasons to visit: chic clothes and accessories, art galleries, Hermes lover

Photo: Moynat store at 348 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001

If you think the shopping center is too crowded, you can go to Saint Honore Street. It is a fashion street which is next to Place Vendôme. Walking down the street, you’ll find much high fashion and well-known luxury brands from all over the world, including Guerlain, Saint Laurent, Rimowa, Canada Grooseand etc.. In here, you do not have to grab the popular items with the crowds of Lafayette, take your time and no one will disturb you.

You can also find traditional luxury brands like Moynat. Founded in 1849, Moynat is well-known for its exquisite craftsmanship and long history. Many people considered the Moynat as the only brand that can compete with Hermes, because of its craftsmanship, brand philosophy, production and marketing methods. Moynat is very popular among the upper-class. Many celebrities like to carry Moynat bag such as Natalia Vodianova, Princess Charlène, and etc.. This store attracts many international stars as well. They like to shop on this street.

For Hermes lover, you can visit the Hermes flagship store, and its address is 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Nowadays, you need to make a reservation online on the Hermes official website if you want to purchase the handbags and leather goods. You will receive a message in the evening, and they will confirm whether you make an appointment successful or not. If you want to buy the Birkin or Kelly bag, it is recommended to give a call beforehand to confirm if it is available. You also have a lot of other options, such as scarves, jewelries can be bought there.
Hermes appointment request

There are many high-end art galleries and auction houses located here as well. On rue Saint-Honoré, you can not only enjoy the fun of shopping but also get a better understanding of French culture and history. If you get tired, you can go to Pierre Marcolini and taste the chocolate. The address is 235 rue Saint-Honoré.

How to get there: you can take a taxi to the Rue Saint-Honoré or take a subway and get off at Pyramides.

4. fashion trendy shopping districts in Paris for Trendsetters’ and niche brands lovers

Suitable for people: who like special style and unique designer products, could select this itinerary and find chic collections.

Main reasons to visit: trendy concept store, first-line clothing brand designers

Besides, if you would like to take the time and dig up the latest trend, there are also many special areas in Paris waiting for your exploration. In these areas, you can find fashion clothing stores, interior decoration shops, skincare shops and so on.

What are the differences between these areas and the large shopping malls?

First of all, in the large shopping malls, you can buy almost all the established luxury brands. But in the fashion areas, you can find fashion clothing shops which are owned and created by the first-line clothing brand designers. Some beautiful stores who sell some niche exquisite objects.

This is the real typical life of the Parisians. It is worth mentioning that you can find some accessible luxury brands here like Zadig Voltaire, Kooples, Sandro, Maje, Pandora, and the others. Each store is in different decorations and design styles. There are relatively well-known French brands. If you don’t want to grab the fitting room in Lafayette with many consumers, then shopping these itineraries are good choices. In addition, you can also find some very unique second-hand products here. In there, you do the shopping leisurely while tasting handmade ice cream in the afternoon.

Le Marais—the fashion area of the popular and chic brands

Main reasons to visit: trendy concept store, chic products, real Parisian shopping experience

Photo: Merci concept store at 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais

There is a trendy concept store with great popularity in Le Marais called Merci. This concept store does not only sell clothes but also offers many household items and furniture design brands. The red car in front of the door has become an icon for this store. Almost all passing people will stop and take a photo here. It is easy to find something that suits you from the necklace, clothes to furniture.

Merci concept store comprises many designer brands such as A.P.C, Margret Howell, Carven, etc.. By the way, if you like art furniture, this place is worth to visit. You can find inspiration or buying some accessories for decorating your home. There is another multi-brands store called Front du Mode at Marais, which has much interesting design works and niche handbags. You can take a look there as well. The address is 42 Rue Volta.

Except for shopping, we suggest you visit the Musée National d’Art Moderne in the Centre Pompidou. It is the most well-known museum for modern and contemporary art including the collections of Henri Matisse, André Derain, Pablo Picasso and etc.. It is definitely worth to go if you like art. In front of the Centre Pompidou, there are also many street performers. You can enjoy the show after shopping halfway. The address is Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris.

Many Parisians spend their best time of the night in Marais district. It is a place that integrates local culture and foreign culture, and it is the favorite shopping area of Parisians. You can experience the collision of art, design and multiculturalism. There is a lot of designers shops and vintage shops in the Marais district. It is easy to get your favourite things here.

How to get there: you can take a subway and get off at Saint-Paul or Hotel de Ville.

Palais Royal/Rue Saint-Anne—the fashion area of the popular and luxury brands

Main reasons to visit: garden corridor, beautiful scenery, first-line clothing brand designers

Photo: Palais royal

Go through the Palais Royal, and you will see two streets worth your attention, Galleries Valois and Gallerie Montpensier.

There are top designers and brands, for example, the famous shoe brand Rick Owens, the well-known leather brand Stella McCartney, the niche perfume Serge Lutens, the French accessible luxury clothing brand Kitsune and Maje. The shoes’ lovers will never miss the Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin here.

After shopping, if you get tired, you can have afternoon tea and take a break. K-mart is a Japanese and Korean market, its’ melon flavour ice-lolly is popular. The address is 8 Rue Sainte-Anne. Aki Boulangerie is a Japanese French bakery, its’ matcha milk tea and matcha doughnut are the hot sales. The address is 12 Rue Saint Anne. If you like Taiwan milk tea, you can go to try the mike tea shop Chatime. In front of the shop, it often lines up a long team. The address is 33 Rue Richlieu.

How to get there: you can take a subway and get off at Pyramides.

5. Additional useful Paris Shopping tips

Summer and Winter Sales in France — “Les Soldes” in 2020

Twice a year
The dates of the large nationwide sales in France are determined by the central administration. There are just two main periods to look out for — winter (soldes d’hiver) in January/February and summer (soldes d’été) in June/July.

Sales dates
Winter sales 2020 are expected to start on January 8 and end on February 4
Summer sales 2020 are expected to start on June 24 and end on July 21

For more information in French: Periode de soldes

Tips: You can buy the products and try them at home. If they are inappropriate, you can go back to the shop and return the products. This way can help you save the time of waiting for the dressing room.

How to shop Tax-Free in France

Who is eligible?

If you are a resident of a “third-country” (not belonging to the European Union) such as Australia, Canada or the United States；

If you are 15 years old or over when you purchased the goods；

If you are visiting France for a period of less than six months.

What are considered eligible goods?

The value of purchases from any single store, tax included, must exceed €175;

All the goods must be taken back with you, in your carry-on luggage, when you leave France;

All tax refunds must be claimed within six months of purchasing the goods.

How to get your tax refund?

Please read our previous article “the Guide of duty-free shopping in Europe”

More information, please visit Paris Louvre Duty-Free