A Guide to Shopping in Paris | Best Things to Buy, Malls, Souvenirs & More
Paris is one of the most famous shopping capitals of the world. From luxe labels from around the world to quirky boutiques that make Parisian fashion stand apart from other markets, there’s so much diversity in Paris in terms of product - not to mention the convenient late-night shopping hours. Here's how you can make the best of shopping in Paris!
Best Things to Buy in Paris
French Macarons
Food
The city is home to some of the most renowned pastry chefs in the world. Macarons in Paris are made with only the finest ingredients. They are carefully crafted and each one is a work of art.
Where to buy:
- Ladurée - Find on map
Stamped Books
Books
A visit to Shakespeare and Company in Paris wouldn't be complete without picking up a stamped book. The shop, which is located on the Left Bank, has been around since 1919 and is known for its selection of English-language books.
Where to buy:
- Shakespeare & Company - Find on map
French Chocolates
Food
French chocolates are widely considered to be some of the best in the world. And for good reason – they boast a rich, smooth flavour that melts in your mouth.
Where to buy:
- La Maison du Chocolat Saint Honoré - Find on map
French Beret
Clothing
A beret is a French classic and makes for a great souvenir from Paris. They are practical as well, as they can keep your head warm in the colder months.
Where to buy:
- The Cherry On The Hat - Find on map
Cheese
Food
There are many reasons to love cheese, but the cheese in Paris is truly something special. The variety of cheeses available in Paris is unrivalled, and the quality is superb.
Where to buy:
- Androuet - Find on map
Wine
Beverages
Though it may be a cliche, wine is one of the best things to buy in Paris. The city has a rich history of viticulture, and its many wine shops offer a great selection of both French and international wines.
Where to buy:
- La Dernière Goutte - Find on map
French Soap
Personal Care
French soaps are made using traditional methods and are allowed to cure for several weeks. This results in a high-quality product that is both luxurious and long-lasting.
Where to buy:
- La Folie Savon Paris - Find on map
Scarves
Clothing
Paris is known for its fashion, and one of the best things to buy while in the city are scarves. Scarves can be worn in a variety of ways, which makes them versatile and stylish.
Where to buy:
- CINABRE Paris - Find on map
Perfume
Personal Care
There are many things to buy in Paris, but the best thing to buy is perfume. The reason for this is that the French have a long history of producing high quality perfume. In addition, Paris is home to many world-renowned perfume makers.
Where to buy:
- Fragonard Perfumery - Find on map
Handmade Bags
Accessories
Handmade bags are the best things to buy in Paris. The leather is of better quality and the workmanship is impeccable. There are a wide variety of designs to choose from, and the prices are very reasonable.
Where to buy:
- Les Ateliers Auguste - Find on map
Best Shopping Streets in Paris
Le Marais
Clothing and Accessories
Location: Le Marais, Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: Perfumeries, Vintage Stores, Handcrafted Jewellery
Best Shops/Stores: Bring France Home, Kenzo Marais, L'Habilleur
Getting There: Bus no. 38, 69, 72, 74 and 96
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Rue du Commerce
Clothing and Accessories
Location: Rue du Commerce, 75015 Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: Budget shopping, Clothes, Bags
Best Shops/Stores: Monoprix, Sephora, Princesse Tamtam
Getting There: Bus no. 42, 70, 80, 82 and 88
Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Les Halles
Clothing
Location: Les Halles, 75001 Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: Small boutiques, Luxury brands, Women’s clothing
Best Shops/Stores: Kookai, Pimkie, Celio
Getting There: Bus no. 20, 38, 29, 69, 72 and 85
Rue de la Paix
Clothing
Location: Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: High end brands, Cosmetics, Accessories
Best Shops/Stores: Repetto, Amin Kader, Comptoir des Cotonniers
Getting There: Bus no. 175, 460, 467, 52 and 72
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Boulevard Saint-Germain
Clothing
Location: Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75007 Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: Luxury brands, Women’s clothing, Accessories
Best Shops/Stores: Gucci Paris St. Germain, Ralph Lauren Flagship Store, Louis Vuitton
Getting There: Bus no. 39, 63, 70, 84, 95 and 96
Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Canal Saint-Martin
Clothing and Accessories
Location: Quai de Jemmapes - 75010 Paris, France. Find on map
Best For: New designers, Vintage boutiques, Concept stores
Best shops/stores: Antoine et Lili, Babel Concept Store, Centre Commercial
Getting There: Bus no. 20, 32, 38, 75 and 91
Timings: 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM
La Vallée Village
Clothing
Location: 3 Cr de la Garonne, 77700 Serris, France. Find on map
Best For: Michael Kors, Givenchy, Armani and other luxury brands at discounted prices
Best Shops/Stores: Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Little Marc Jacobs
Getting There: Line 21 bus from Rivoli-Pont Neuf, Roissypole bus from Opera Garnier, Express 20 bus from Terminal 3, Molbilien 6 bus from Gate Router Quad K to Gate Val d’Europe station
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Sunday to Friday), 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Saturday)
Best Souvenirs in Paris
Eiffel Tower Replica
Where to buy: Parici. 52 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris, France - Find on map
Champagne
Where to buy: Dilettantes Cave à Champagne. 22 Rue de Savoie, 75006 Paris, France - Find on map
Paintings
Where to buy: Place du Tertre. Pl. du Tertre, 75018 Paris, France - Find on map
Chocolates
Where to buy: Chocolate Alain Ducasse. 40 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris, France - Find on map
Best Malls in Paris
Westfield Forum des Halles
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Clothes, accessories, packaged food items
Location: 101 Porte Berger, 75001 Paris, France - Find on map
Timings: 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
La Galerie - Masséna
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Utilities, home decor, food packages
Location: 98 Bd Masséna, 75013 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (closed on Sunday)
Passage du Havre
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Perfumes, lingerie, chocolates
Location: 109 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Italie 2
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Electronics, men and women clothing, lingerie
Location: 30 Av. d'Italie, 75013 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Best Luxury Shopping Destinations in Paris
DIOR Paris Saint-Honoré
Luxury Brand
What to buy: Clothes, handbags, accessories
Location: 261 Rue St Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Timings: 10:00 AM to 87:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 1:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Champs-Élysées
Avenue
What to buy: Clothes, jewellery and accessories from luxury brands
Location: Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Department Store
What to buy: Women’s fashion, cosmetics, jewellery
Location: 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Sunday)
Louis Vuitton Paris
Luxury Brand
What to buy: Handbags, belts, luggage
Location: 101 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), 1:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Hermès
Luxury Brand
What to buy: Scares, apparels, accessories
Location: 24, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, 75008, France
Timings: 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM (closed on Sunday)
Avenue George V
Avenue
What to buy: Clothes, accessories and jewellery from luxury brands
Location: Av. George V75008 Paris, France
Timings: 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Budget Shopping Destinations in Paris
Chinemachine
Vintage Shop
What to buy: Clothes, shoes, accessories
Location: 100 R. des Martyrs, 75018 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Sunday)
Naf Naf
Store
What to buy: T-shirts, jeans, accessories
Location: CC MAINE, 66 Bd du Montparnasse, 75015 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Pimkie
Store
What to buy: Skirts, blouses, accessories
Location: 48 Av. du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Kookai
Store
What to buy: Clothes, belts, bags
Location: 8/10 Pl. Sainte-Opportune, 75001 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Promod
Store
What to buy: Clothes, shoes, bags
Location: 110 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (closed on Sunday)
Armand Thiery
Store
What to buy: Men and Women apparels
Location: 15/17 Rue Auber, 75009 Paris, France. Find on map
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Sunday)
Shopping in Paris: Essentials
Modes of payment:
- Card: You can go on a shopping spree without any worries as shops and stores in Paris accept card payments.
- Digital Wallets: The other faster way of making a payment is through digital wallets like Apple Pay.
- Cash: This mode of payment of payment is popular and accepted throughout the city.
- Bank Transfers: These are also accepted throughout France, although they can be time consuming.
- Spring is a popular time to visit Paris as the weather is quite pleasant from April till May.
- Summer lovers usually prefer visiting Paris between June and August.
- The city is beautiful in the autumn months of September and October.
- If you’re looking for a budget trip, October and November would be best for you.
- December, January and February are some of the coldest months in the city.
- Hélène Darroze - Experience Parisian fine dining with the gourmet dishes served at Hélène Darroze. Find on map
- Da Giuseppe - Italy comes to France at Da Giuseppe, with its authentic Italian cuisine that will make you drool. Find on map
- Le Fouquet's - The restaurant’s food is as rich as its legacy where you can taste the classic brasserie cuisine. Find on map
- Le Cadoret - Make Le Cadoret your cozy corner, like one at home, that serves the best of Parisian food. Find on map
- Maison Maison - At Maison Maison, you can admire the beauty of Seine while sipping wine and digging into their lip-smacking food. Find on map
By Metro: You can easily find your way from one point to another in Paris as the city is well connected with 16 metro lines.
By Bus: About 58 bus lines are functional in Paris, with the ticket price starting from €2 for a single journey.
By RER: The Paris RER has five lines that connect the city centre to the different areas around.
By Train: Some suburbs that are a little away from the city centre are connected through traditional trains.
- Cover most of the distance while shopping on foot. This way, you’ll be able to make the most out of your outing.
- Do your research before going. Some brands are less expensive in Paris. Save money while buying more.
- Ensure that you read well about the sizing guide in Europe as it differs from where you might be from.
- Don’t be afraid to bargain, especially when you are street shopping.
- Avoid going to the weekend as most of the shopping hubs are extremely crowded.
- Use public transport to get around in the city as it will save you time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shopping in Paris
Clothes and accessories from luxury brands are the best things to buy in Paris.
Books, Eiffel Tower replicas, champagne, wine and chocolates are the best souvenirs in Paris.
Digital Wallet, Cash, Cards and Bank Transfers are all acceptable modes of payments in Paris.
Champs-Elysees is the most famous shopping street in Paris.
Avenue George V and Champs-Elysees is famous for shopping in Paris.
Clothes, accessories, jewellery, shoes, vintage clothes and handbags are the best things to shop in Paris.
Rue de la Paix and Boulevard Saint-Germain are the most popular shopping centres in Paris.
Some luxury brands are cheaper in Paris. If you’re looking to spend less money on high end brands, you should buy them in Paris.
Westfield Forum des Halles, Carrousel du Louvre, Centre Commercial Beaugrenelle and La Galerie - Masséna are the best malls to go shopping in Paris.
La Vallée Village and Le Marais are the best markets to go shopping in Paris.
Rue du Commerce is the major shopping street in Paris.
Chocolates, clothes and authentic French Macarons are the best things to buy for kids in Paris.