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21 Best Places for Shopping in Paris

By Lindsey Tramuta

In the collective imagination, shopping in Paris is all opulent department stores and upscale boutiques dotting the grand avenues—and that's certainly part of the experience. But with independent boutiques expanding to more bohemian neighborhoods and the world's largest marketplace for antiques and second-hand goods holding steady just north of the city, Paris is a shopping destination meant for every taste and budget. Here, you'll find our recommendations in the ritzy, up-and-coming, hip, and eclectic areas of town for the best stores, markets, artisans, and more.

Read our complete Paris travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

This affluent section of the 8th arrondissement could easily be considered the city's luxury hub—home to haute couture behemoths like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, and Balenciaga. As the Champs-Elysées continues to move upscale, new additions line the ritzy avenue. Its most recent tenant is the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées, the family-run retail group's outpost for its new concept store. Should your wallet not be flush enough to spend at these shops, most are still design destinations in their own right.

Hermès Arrow

Inaugurated in 2018, the Hermès flagship in the Golden Triangle was renovated with great detail over two years. The shop now spans three levels and has 5,900 square feet of retail space. But what makes this particular location special are the wood-paneled façade and the gilded lettering on its unmistakable sign—both now beautifully restored. Inside, the design mixes airy and contemporary touches (gray-blue marble, mosaic floors) with traditional details and, of course, the brand's signature orange.

Guerlain Arrow

No Guerlain store has the history of the perfumer's iconic outpost on the Champs-Elysées. The interior was revamped by architect Peter Marino five years ago, and today it features an array of Guerlain motifs, from golden Napoleonic bees to the Louis XIV sunburst emblem that has long adorned face powder compacts. Philippe Starck chandeliers offset mirrored ceilings and deep golden and mahogany tones in one room, while resin-coated table collages by Peter Dayton offer a splash of color in the café. The shop is worth a visit as much for the collection of products as for the show-stopping design.

Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées Arrow

Family-owned retailer Galeries Lafayette reclaimed an Art Deco landmark (formerly the Virgin Megastore) on the Champs-Elysées and transformed it into a concept flagship with the help of Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. In a space spanning nearly 70,000 square feet and four floors, the shop eschews the usual boundaries in the retail experience, mixing goods from multiple categories for men and women rather than partitioning things into dedicated corners. The experience is meant to be fluid, encouraging shoppers to weave seamlessly from fashion to food to accessories.

CNT Editors

Caitlin Morton

Lale Arikoglu

Jessica Chapel

Louis Vuitton Maison Champs-Élysées Arrow

For die-hard Louis Vuitton fans (and fans of luxury more generally), there's no outpost more symbolic or prestigious than the brand's impressive perch on the well-heeled corner of the Champs-Elysées and the avenue George V. The largest Louis Vuitton location in the world, the five-floor store occupies a listed Art Deco building with a period dome visible from both ends of the avenue. You'll find everything from traditional leather goods, handbags and ready-to-wear, to homewares, jewelry, and even art books.

Forever the flâneur's destination, this pocket of Paris has also shaped up to be a must-stop on any shopping itinerary. Meander up and down the neighborhood's narrow streets and you'll find sanctuaries to hand-crafted goods and natural beauty products, and a design-focused concept store that never ceases to reinvent itself.

Empreintes Arrow

Empreintes, a haven of French craftsmanship in the North Marais neighborhood, lives in an expansive 1930s workshop that once belonged to the Woloch jewelry manufacturers who worked with Chanel. In 2016, the Ateliers d’Art de France (the professional fine craft federation of France) took over the space, opening it up and transforming it into an airy, multi-level concept store with more than 1,000 fine art crafts and goods.

Officine Universelle Buly Arrow

Buly is beloved as much for its unique approach to beauty as it is for its botanical-based creams, powders, essential oils, and perfumes. But the shop also carries unexpected items like silk bristle acetate toothbrushes, lymph drainage brushes, hand-carved pocket combs, and painted porcelain boxes filled with a porous sedimentary stone that diffuses fragrance. Everything comes in exquisitely illustrated plastic-free bottles and tubes, which can be personalized. There are nearly 700 products in this temple to natural beauty and grooming, so be sure to leave yourself time to explore.

Merci Arrow

Merci is an independent concept boutique, spread out over three loft-like floors in the Marais. The well-curated selection of clothes, accessories, home goods, and just about anything else you might want, draws savvy shoppers from around the globe. Keep an eye out for up-and-coming designers and labels especially in the central space that houses themed pop-ups, or go for Merci’s own affordable in-house brand. Either way, you'll be hard-pressed to walk out empty-handed.

SAINT-GERMAN-DES-PRÉS

Lining the the narrow warrens of this beloved left bank neighborhood are antique shops, art galleries, high-end retailers and historic cafés, oft frequented by the city's illustrious artists and intellectuals. But it's also home to the most iconic department store, Le Bon Marché, the temple of taxidermy, Deyrolle, and the late Karl Lagerfeld's bookstore, all worth exploring on a leisurely afternoon in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Le Bon Marché Arrow

Dating back to the 1850s, Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris, and certainly the most iconic. The elegant Left Bank institution is as celebrated for its airy layout as for its top selection of the world’s best designers. If it’s luxe, you can probably buy it here. Before your shopping spree is done, peek in at La Grande Épicerie, Le Bon Marché’s fine-foods emporium in an adjoining building.

Librairie 7L Arrow

Independent bookshops in Paris have always been destinations, but 7L Bookstore is not simply an independent bookshop. It's a step inside the creative mind of the late bibliophile and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld opened the shop 20 years ago and the stock follows his own interests: photography, design, architecture, and interior design. You'll also find fashion catalogs and monographs, plus a collection of books published under his own imprint.

Deyrolle Arrow

Deyrolle is a cabinet of curiosities. The Left Bank institution has specialized in taxidermy and entomology since 1831, but in 2008 a fire destroyed nearly 90 percent of the collection, creating the need for a radical restoration project. Today you can hardly tell that the shop is, in fact, a replica of its former 17th-century iteration, right down to the wood cabinetry, parquet floors, and painted walls.

Marin Montagut Arrow

This independent shop in what was formerly a family-owned tapestry workshop is a gateway into the retro-whimsical world of Marin Montagut, the multidisciplinary artist behind playful homewares and the books “Maison: Parisian Chic at Home" (written with Ines de la Fressange) and “Timeless Paris.” True to Montagut's penchant for antiques and old-world general stores, the shop is set up apothecary style with wood countertops and repurposed Siegel display stands sourced from a hundred-year-old market in the South of France. You'll find mix of travel ephemera, vintage finds, a charming collection of fabric ornaments, and, of course, a wide selection of Montagut's own designs: hand-painted porcelain dishware embellished with half-moons, hearts, and Louis XIV–style sunbeams; ex-votos; painted silk scarves; papier-mâché boxes; scented candles; and a variety of illustrated stationery.

PARIS CENTRE

The cluster of neighborhoods at the city's center, which includes the 1st arrondissement up through the 4th (the Marais), is a destination for art, dining, and some of the best views in the city. But with the reopening of the historic landmark La Samaritaine, the beating heart of Paris also revived its shopping bona fides.

Samaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf by DFS Arrow

Did Paris need another department store? Certainly not. But this one has a legacy that laid dormant for 16 years: The 19th century landmark reopened in 2021 after a $900 million restoration by LVMH, and swapped the utilitarian focus for one decidedly more upscale. Locals used to shop here for everything from light bulbs and garden supplies to dresses, but now it's a gallery of sorts for designer clothes, beauty brands, and a handful of food and Champagne concept spaces throughout the shop. But it's an Art Deco and Art Nouveau wonder which is the primary reason to visit. Approximately 215,000 square feet are devoted to retail space in this complex, which includes the Cheval Blanc hotel, office space, and housing, making it the smallest of the city’s department stores (the others are Le Bon Marché, Printemps, and Galeries Lafayette). The spaces it does occupy covers the usual terrain: streetwear and luxury ready-to-wear which includes pieces exclusive to La Samaritaine, clean beauty and classic perfumers, handbags and fine jewelry, and several rooms used for rotating thematic installations.

Since the 19th century, Montmartre has served as the bohemian hub of Paris’ creative and nightlife communities. The list of residents who have haunted this hill reads like a who’s who of Parisian art history: from Modigliani and Monet to Picasso, Pisarro, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Satie. There is, however, much more to explore here than the well-worn Sacré-Coeur and cabaret circuit—Montmartre is also home to some of the best shopping in Paris. Far from the big box luxury brands you’ll find on the Champs Élysées, the shops here fall are of the quirky and curio varieties, with vintage clothing and antique shops in spades. A single list will inevitably miss a number of this neighborhood’s diamonds in the rough, so in addition to the shops we’ve called out here, be sure to consider these honorable mentions: De l’Autre Côté de la Butte (for furniture from the 1950’s all the way back to Napoleon III); Tempolino (lots of cheap clothes, odds and ends); By Flowers (awesome bargains—if you’re willing to look); and Flash Vintage (more clothes, especially coats and vintages). As they say in France: bon shopping!

Chinemachine Arrow

A colorful, quirky Montmartre friperie in the shadow of the Sacré-Coeur, Chinemachine has long attracted deal seekers and vintage lovers. It's a small space—even smaller when you take the spiral staircase down to the basement, which overflows with clothes. Overall the store is a lesson in organized chaos. It's amazing how much stuff the owners manage to cram into this tiny shop. If you're willing to rummage, you will be amply rewarded and still have cash left over for an aperitif.

L'Objet Qui Parle Arrow

Ever try to decorate your apartment and have that one empty bookshelf or lone console table that just needs a little something? You'll find it at L'Objet qui Parle. It's hard to pinpoint precisely what this adorable Montmartre vintage shop sells, but that's part of the fun. You're as likely to find animal skulls here as you are apothecary jars, tea cups, Belle Epoque–era mirrors, or dress forms and mannequins. As with many things in Paris, and especially in Montmartre, not all things can be judged by their exterior. Nothing can beat the sense of wonderment you'll feel when you see how minuscule this shop is from the outside—and just how many curios it packs inside.

À La Mère de Famille Arrow

There isn't any shortage of history or confections at Paris' oldest candy shop, which has been in business since 1791. The Dolfi family, which acquired the shop in 2000, has since opened up a number of locations around Paris, but the Faubourg Montmartre flagship with its gleaming (and landmarked) green-and-gold façade is still considered the alpha and omega of Paris confectionaries. Don't leave without trying a warm slice of the "Cake aux Folies de l'Ecureuil," a chocolate marble cake with caramelized hazelnuts and almonds.

CANAL SAINT-MARTIN

As in-the-know locals have shifted their attention east in the last five years toward the bohemian Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood and its booming restaurant and art scenes, small brands in everything from fashion to homewares have followed suit. That has turned the area into the city’s next great shopping destination. These are a few of the boutiques worth a wander.

La Trésorerie Arrow

Where do Parisians shop for their homes? At a place like La Trésorerie, a mix between a traditional droguerie (hardware store) and a modern homewares boutique. The space itself is a sight to behold: the "RF" (République Française) inscription and the bars lining the façade are reminders of the building’s heritage as the 10th arrondissement’s primary tax office. The taxes are gone, but the wood floors, tall windows and skylights, and kitchen and home accessories remain, remnants of a simpler time.

Artazart Arrow

Since 2000, Artazart, an art-lover's institution on the Canal Saint-Martin has specialized in the graphic arts, photography, design, with books and ancillary goods. Its red-orange façade and compelling window displays draw in passersby, sure, but it's also a destination in its own right for books, artist and author events, and creative goods. A limited, signed edition of photographer Pentti Sammallahti's black-and-white book Les Oiseaux—shot on film—costs a cool 750 euros.

Centre Commercial Arrow

Centre Commercial is a multi-brand boutique launched by the founders of sustainable sneaker brand Veja. Situated a block from the Canal Saint-Martin, the store stocks menswear, womenswear, and lifestyle goods exclusively from sustainably and transparently produced labels, mostly from Europe. The whitewashed space is airy and bright, with modern light fixtures and exposed stone, all to keep the focus on the goods from Veja (of course), Mara Hoffman, Maison Château Rouge, and Patagonia, among many others.

Landline Arrow

French-American entrepreneur Caroline Morrison spent 15 years working in fashion before feeling disillusioned with the industry's waste and widespread use of plastics. For her own store, she focuses on ethically-produced homewares, table decor, cleaning and cooking supplies, toys, and a tight edit of clothing that closely reflects her own values of consumption and a bygone way of shopping that is inherently more sustainable. Her selection includes goods made with natural materials, with little to no plastic, and predominantly sourced from within Europe—some from her grandparents' generation. Among them: De Buyer pans that are guaranteed for life and made in France since 1830); wool blankets by Brun de Vian Tiran, a family-run company out of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue since 1808; and unisex linen workman jackets by the 60-year-old label Le Laboureur. This shop is brimming with affordable knick-knacks and utilitarian items for every day living from natural soaps and body oils to refillable pens and pencils, stationery, and linens.

Jamini Arrow

This light-filled shop is actually two stores, side-by-side. Founded by the entrepreneur Usha Bora in 2014, Jamini is a French-Indian lifestyle brand that taps the talents of artisans and craftspeople in her native Assam to produce hand-woven cushions, throws, table linens, bedding, kaftans, and sarongs using Indian techniques such as block printing, weaving, and embroidery. From homewares to womenswear and accessories, the collection highlights Indian craftsmanship in the foothills of Northeast India, Manipur, Bengal, and Orissa and pairs it with the kinds of chic and timeless pieces Parisians want most. If money's no object, go for the furnishings that are hand-woven in India, such as the charpoy, or traditional Indian daybed, crafted in Rajasthan and the block-printed woven mattresses that pair perfectly. Jamini has cultivated a following among French shoppers (in-store and online) who are looking for something more special and with a story of craft that inspires.

At the northern edge of Paris, between Montmartre and the Stade de France, you'll find the most robust collection of antique treasures you'll likely ever come upon. Saint-Ouen, a commune in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, has become synonymous with its world-renowned flea market, nicknamed Les Puces.

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen Arrow

Flea market lore holds that Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest antiques and second-hand marketplace in the world. Even if it weren't, the sheer surface area (seven hectares) and number of vendors (around 1,700) suggests it should have its own ZIP code. And it certainly helps explain the 5 million visitors who descend each year in search of rare treasures, everything from home goods to textiles—although bargains are harder and harder to come by.

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The 20 best places for shopping in Paris

By Monica de La Villardière

Spending the day shopping in Paris isn’t an experience reserved for A-listers. What could be more enticing than a weekend’s stroll around the city, with multiple purchasing pit stops? If you’re planning a visit, you might be looking forward to great meals, remarkable sightseeing, and of course, a mandatory stop (or two) at one of the best shops in Paris. From the world’s most tempting boutiques to sophisticated department stores, Paris has it all.

Locals in Paris are professionally adept at knowing when and where to “faire les boutiques” (preferably during the famous “soldes” if possible). Parisians also tend to pledge fervent loyalty to their favourite “grand magasin” or department store. Are you a classic Left Bank Le Bon Marche lover or a Right Bank devotee to the historic, newly revamped Samaritaine? Perhaps you’ll love the urban-cool selection and modern layout at the Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysees. Get up-to-date now and plan the most scenic and efficient shopping route. While you’re at it, take a look at our edit of the very best hotels in Paris for your trip, scan this list of the top cafés in Paris and book into one of these incredible Parisian restaurants you shouldn’t miss.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Renowned literary history meets some of the world’s best art, decor, antiques and fashion in this beloved Left Bank neighbourhood. A wander up the rue Bonaparte from the Seine will have any interior-lover drooling. Stop for a coffee at Café de Flore (it would be rude not to) before heading to landmark fashion institutions and curiosity-compelling new additions.

1. Le Bon Marche & Grande Epicerie

The Crown jewel of the St Germain shopping experience, Le Bon Marche is the one-stop-shop for everything and anything you could be after – at least as far as local Left Bank shoppers are concerned. From a meticulously selected array of high and contemporary fashion for women and men to a well-curated bookshop, a homeware section and floors devoted to cosmetics and things for kids, to the ultra-tempting Grande Epicerie fine food hall, Le Bon Marche is an institution. The famous escalators’ fairy light decor and windows during the holiday season are not to be missed.

Address: 24 rue de Sèvres 75006

2. Marin Montagut

Steps from the Luxembourg Gardens you’ll find illustrator, collector and all-round aesthete Marin Montagut’s cabinet of curiosities at his delightful Madame boutique. Both unique and uniquely Parisian, this treasure trove is a world unto itself, featuring walls of “secret books”, decorative plates, old-style pharmacy jars, embroidered cushions and smile-inducing stationery among other unusual objects, each of which tells a story.

Address: 48 rue Madame 75006

3. Collector Square

A temple for vintage-lovers, this European leader for sales of second-hand luxury bags, watches, jewellery, art and collector’s items has its showroom on Boulevard Raspail. Make an appointment with one of Collector Square’s vintage specialists or horologists to see an impressive array of vintage Hermès and Chanel bags, Cartier watches, rare jewellery pieces and sculptures.

Address: 36 Boulevard Raspail 75007

4. Smallable

Since 2008, Smallable has made a name for itself as Paris’s coolest family store, locally at its rue du Cherche-Midi locations (a large kids showroom sits across the road from the stylish women’s multi-brand boutique), and internationally on its beloved website for stylish in-the-know parents. Find a funky selection of children's and women’s clothing brands, homeware, accessories and toys to secure your place in your little ones good books when you get home.

Address: Concept Store, 81 rue du Cherche-Midi, Women’s Store, 82 rue du Cherche-Midi

1st & 2nd arrondissements

Walk through the famous colonnades of rue de Rivoli which runs from the Place de la Concorde along the Tuileries and Louvre. But don’t be let down by the many tourist trinket shops. World-class shopping destinations are just around the corner – if you know where to look.

5. Librairie Delamain

While Shakespeare and Company is the bookstore that comes to mind when thinking of bookstores in Paris, Librairie Delamin is the oldest in Paris. The business dates all the way back to 1708, and the current shop has been the base since 1906. Sat in between the cafés and stalls of Rue Saint-Honoré, come here to clamber up wooden ladders to browse the ancient shelves.

Address: 155 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

6. Librairie Galignani

Word has it this venerable English-language bookstore is the oldest of its kind in Europe, founded in 1801 by the Venetian Giovanni Gagliani, a member of an illustrious publishing family whose work was first printed in 1520. The interiors are befitting of such a history, with tall mahogany bookshelves and wheeled ladders to help you reach the highest shelves. Find a range of English and French literature as well as a great selection of history, fashion, design and travel books, also in both languages.

Address: 224 rue de Rivoli 75001

7. White Bird

Paris’ home for jewellery lovers is curated by connoisseur Stephanie Rogers, who casts her net wide. Rogers’ selection includes many of the world’s best-loved contemporary artisans and designers, including Paris talents like Charlotte Chesnais and Vilter along with international design stars Sophie Buhai, Alighieri and Elhanati on display amongst bird cages and modern glass-cube cases.

Address: 38 rue du Mont Thabor 75001

8. La Samaritaine

After a 16-year wait, Parisians finally saw this 19th-century department store reopen its doors last Spring –a much-anticipated event. French luxury conglomerate LVMH is to thank for the original Art Nouveau building’s renovation, which was painstakingly restored while a new contemporary wing was built from scratch. Today the Belle-Epoque destination boasts seven floors of eclectic fashion products, jewellery and the largest department store beauty selection in Europe .

Address: 9 rue de la Monnaie 75001

This ultra-luxe Place Vendome shirtmaker has been in business since 1838, officially making it the oldest shirt shop in Paris. Reputed worldwide for its exceptional craftsmanship, illustrious customers through the ages have included many a royal, nobleman and president, but arguably some of the best Charvet-wearers to date are the elegant ladies who know how to sport a men’s shirt just so . Fine tie and slipper collectors are also welcome.

Address: 28 Place Vendôme 75001

10. La Nouvelle Chambre Claire

Technically, this shop’s latest iteration can be found in the 5th, but it is walking distance from the 1st. La Nouvelle Chambre Claire, a bookstore and photography gallery, places emphasis on creators and authors. They have been compiling amazing photography books and showcase beautiful work done by photographers around the world since 1980. As well as selling standard photography books, they offer limited edition releases and books signed by photographers.

Address: 3 Rue d'Arras, 75005 Paris, France

Becky Lucas

Jessica Puckett

Marti Buckley

Trish Lorenz

The historic Marais, stretching the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of the Right Bank and is one of Paris’ best areas for shopping and has many shops open Sunday – a rare feat in France. Stroll the rue des Francs Bourgeois, rue de Saintonge, rue Vieille du Temple, and rue de Turenne, each packed with appealing boutiques, before heading over to Boulevard Beaumarchais to visit famed concept store, Merci.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at this iconic concept store when you see its beloved red Fiat parked in the courtyard on your way in. Showcasing current trends through real-life settings and installations, Merci offers everything from vintage furniture to modern fashion accessories, all chosen for their function as well as appearance. Be sure to visit the used book cafe on the ground floor for coffee and inspiration when you need a rest.

Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais

12. Officine Universelle Buly

After a century of sleep, master perfumer Jean-Vincent Buly’s apothecary concept has been beautifully brought back to life, with products drawing on innovative modern cosmetic techniques from around the world. Respect for the French beauty heritage can be felt through the old-world pharmacy interiors, all glass cabinets and marble countertops, herbal tinctures, and beautifully scented moisturisers and soaps in painted porcelain bottles, all of which have earned Buly a cult following.

Address: 45 rue de Saintonge 75003 (open Sundays); 19 rue Vieille du Temple 75004 ; 6 rue Bonaparte 75006

13. Castor Fleuriste

Fashion’s favourite florist Louis-Geraud Castor is so in-demand that you need a password to access his website. But don’t be intimidated – his minimal Marais shop, hidden away in a courtyard, is well worth a visit for its seasonal, graphic and poetic bouquets.

Address: 14 rue Debelleyme 75003

9th and 10th arrondissements

Extending from the glorious Palais Garnier opera house to the foot of Montmartre, the 9th arrondissement has long been known for its Belle Epoque department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps and its grand Haussmann boulevards. But don’t miss the charming smaller streets of the Saint Georges neighbourhood, with its village feel, or the Canal Saint Martin District of the ultra-hip neighbouring 10th arrondissement just to the East, where quaint footbridges, international cuisine and quirky, independent boutiques abound.

14. Dealeuse

Interior decorator Alix Roblot is a lover of vintage objects, old stones and lamps. In her boutique and showroom Dealeuse, you’ll find a mix of antiques, designer pieces and vintage gems which she reconstructs to ultra-modern effect. Alix’s keen eye is immediately apparent – you’ll find yourself wanting to recreate her nonchalant elegance in your own space stat.

Address: 7 rue de Vintimille, 75009

15. De Beaulieu

Worthy of a contemporary art gallery status, this plant and decor shop proposes unexpected blooms and careful curation of vases. Founder Pierre Banchereau favours old-school flower arrangements – he named the shop after his grandparents – modernised in contemporary vases.

Address: 30 rue Henry Monnier (bouquets); 19 rue Victor Masse (plants and objects)

16. Centre Commercial

From the founders of ethical shoe brand Veja, this concept store sees itself less as a shopping destination than a movement, favouring menswear, womenswear and children’s pieces with one thing in common: transparency of production. Find an array of organic cotton and hand-stitched goodies at its minimalist rue de Marseille location.

Address: 2 rue de Marseille 75010

17. Bonjour Jacob

If your idea of a great morning means tucking into a cup of artisanal coffee and a rare magazine – both perfectly tailored to your tastes – don’t miss this modern take on the literary cafe, where you’ll find publications from all over the world, accompanied by a selection of vinyl and pastries. Bonjour Jacob also doubles as an exhibition space, with colourful artwork lining its walls.

Address: 38 rue Yves Toudic 75010

18. Thanx God I’m a VIP

Everyone is welcome at this hilariously named popular vintage clothing market. Founder Sylvie Chateigner has a keen eye for designer pieces, and unearths rare, premium finds, both classic and contemporary. You’ll certainly feel like a VIP in your iconic new Prada, Mugler and Hermes pieces.

Address: 12 rue de Lancry 75010

Golden Triangle

Known as the cradle of French luxury, this emblematic neighbourhood is outlined by Avenue George V, Champs-Elysées and Avenue Montagne, which meet in a neat triangle spanning a four-square-kilometre territory of the 8th arrondissement. Home to all the French Couture greats: Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Balenciaga, this area has also seen the opening of a more urban, youth-focused take on French luxury at Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysees.

If you only enter one luxury boutique on your trip, make it the recently-restored wood-panelled Hermes shop on Avenue George V, with its unmistakable gilded lettering. Inside, you’ll find three floors of the ultimate French heritage brand’s unmissable objects, maroquinerie, shoes, jewellery and pret-a-porter, with each floor boasting its particular style and atmosphere. Die-hard Hermes fans will also enjoy a peek ‘round the rue de Sevres and rue du Faubourg Saint Honore locations, if only for the decor and architecture…

Address: 42 Avenue George V, 75008

20. Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées

Ever since mega-retailer Galeries Lafayette reclaimed this Art Deco landmark (formerly the Virgin Megastore) on the world’s most famous avenue, Parisians have been divided, debating its merits or lack thereof. The store creates a unique retail experience, mixing goods from multiple categories including emerging and a handful of accessible designers for men and women rather than partitioning pieces into dedicated corners, which is intended to create a more fluid shopping experience. Some say this is what modern bricks and mortar shopping should look like — others find it impossible to navigate. Either way, it's worth checking out.

Address: 60 Avenue des Champs-Elysées

Top Paris Shopping Districts

For You to Explore

• Best Paris Shopping Districts

14 Top Paris Shopping Districts & Streets

Long known as the fashion capital of the world, Paris offers something for every shopper, regardless of your style, budget, and interests.  That's why so many millions of visitors come here each year to shop.

Beyond chic clothing boutiques, you'll find art galleries, home furnishing emporiums, books of all vintages, antiques, jewelry, and everything else you might desire. 

To be sure, you can easily spend your time and money at the most famous Paris shopping districts and emporiums:   the legendary department stores known as the grands magasins , the flagship showrooms along Avenue Montaigne and the "Golden Triangle" of luxury couture such as Hermès, Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton, the global brands up and down Champs-Élysées . 

You might easily spend a day or more in the immense glass-domed Galeries Lafayette  department store browsing the Valentino, Chloé, Gucci, and countless designer boutiques, picking out the perfect Longchamp or Chanel bag, and choosing a captivating Guerlain or Dior fragrance even if you weren't planning to buy any - because who can resist the scent of French perfume? 

But beyond these iconic Paris clothing stores and boutiques, the city offers plenty more areas where you can indulge your passion for Parisian style while seeking out chic French labels such as Maje, Sandro, Louboutin , and Zadig & Voltaire, trendy but (for now) unknown indie designers, fun and affordable European brands such as Camaïeu and Zara, and even discount and cheap prices on coveted items.

So here's the problem: with so much choice, where do you start?   Especially if you're here for just a short visit, how do you make the best use of your time?

We've narrowed down the choices to 14 shopping areas across Paris to give you a head start on finding the best fit for your interests. They include the city's famous luxury districts, budget-friendly options you might not find on your own, areas where you're likely to spot emerging designers and trends, flea markets, and even a couple of fascinating historical areas for one-of-a-kind finds. 

By all means shop in the famous places - they've earned their fame.  But if you have time and enjoy the experience of discovery, also explore a lesser-known Paris boutique, unique specialty shop, or jewelry maker's atelier and their surrounding neighborhoods, especially if your idea of "travel" means veering off the usual tourist path. 

Article Contents:  Champs Elysees & Golden Triangle   -  Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Place Vendôme, Rue Saint-Honoré -  La Vallée Village   -  Galeries Lafayette, Au Printemps, Rue de l'Opéra   -  Palais Royal Arcades   -   Covered Passages   -  Les Halles Kitchenware Stores   -  Marais   -  Saint-Martin   -  Les Puces Flea Market   -  Montmartre   -  Bastille   -  Village Saint-Paul   -  Saint-Germain des Pres

Top photo: Chanel showroom on Avenue Montaigne in Paris's Golden Triangle

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1. Champs Élysées & the Golden Triangle Shopping Tips

What you'll find:  Luxury designer boutiques and haute couture showrooms; on Champs-Élysées, also look for car showrooms and global chains .

Located between the Arc de Triomphe and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro Station, the commercial portion of Champs Élysées stretches for almost a mile through the swanky 8th arrondissement and is the most famous shopping avenue in Paris - a must-see destination for visitors from around the world.

With its broad sidewalks punctuated by outdoor cafes and rows of tall horse chestnut trees, Champs Elysees easily accommodates the masses of shoppers who flock here for the excellent selection of global brands:   Tiffany, Abercrombie & Fitch, the always-packed Disney Store, Cartier, Gap, Sephora, the Adidas Paris flagship store, French electronics store Fnac, Zara, Petit Bateau baby clothing boutique, and at the corner of Avenue George V, the spectacular Louis Vuitton flagship store where you can line up with other shoppers until it's your turn to be admitted.

If you're on the north side of the avenue, you can spot several entrances to surprisingly large hidden Paris shopping malls carved out of interior courtyards.

Les Arcades des Champs Elysees (at #78) is a particularly splendid historical covered passage with an Art Nouveau glass roof, lovely light fixtures and lanterns created by the famed jewelry designer and glass artist René Lalique, and 40 boutiques. 

Craving an American-style frappuccino?  Les Arcades is where you'll find Starbucks.

What to skip:  The Galeries Lafayette on Champs Elysees; instead, head to their far more magnificent flagship location (don't worry, we cover it further on in this article) on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement.

That's where you can see a spectacular stained glass dome, rooftop terrace with Eiffel Tower views, food hall, and almost every designer boutique you can imagine.

Find out more about shopping at Paris's other historical covered passages

For the crème de la crème of couture near Champs Elysees, turn onto Avenue Montaigne, part of the "Golden Triangle"  along with Avenue George V and Rue Francois 1er, and you'll suddenly be in more rarefied territory among the world's most famous fashion houses. 

Hermès, Saint Laurent, Ferragamo, Courrèges, Givenchy, Kenyo, Balmain, Prada, Gucci, Bulgari, Dior, Chanel, Valentine, and many, many more Grands Couturiers have created their flagship stores, haute couture showrooms, and by-invitation-only salons along this lovely enclave of shaded streets and pale marble mansions.

As you may guess from the unsmiling guards at most of the doors, you must have an appointment to enter many of these shrines to high fashion.  And even if you have one, there's no guarantee you'll go home with a Birkin bag or other coveted treasures.  Fortunately, window shopping is free, and quite superb in this neighborhood.

Bargain hunter's tip:   Return for the famous winter and summer sales when even the Golden Triangle boutiques mark down luxury goods as much as 70% off to make room for the new season.

How to Tour Champs-Elysees

City Highlights Bike Tour - Explore famous Paris streets and attractions, including Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and the Eiffel Tower, and learn about the highlights of the city's history including the Second World War and French Revolution on this fascinating guided bike ride around the city.  Find out more

Vintage Citroën 2CV Tour for Two - Cruise down Champ Elysees in a cool classic Deux Chaveaux (Citroën 2CV) with a private driver at the wheel. With a private driver/guide at the wheel, you'll see all the most famous sights of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.  Find out more

More to See & Do on Champs-Elysees

The renowned Lido de Paris cabaret offers dinner, Champagne, and burlesque every evening.  Find out more about Lido de Paris shows and make your reservations

Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Toyota, and Peugeot have fantastic showrooms where you can drool over fashions in car design; BMW is on a nearby side street. 

Near the Arc,  Publicis Drugstore's dazzling glass building contains an array of dining, entertainment, and shopping venues plus a cinema, quirky pop-up boutiques, and a riff on an American-style pharmacy/concept store where you can stock up on perfumes, French cosmetics, books, and other eclectic items.

Best time to stroll down Champs-Elysees:  Car-Free Day on the first Sunday of each month, when cars are banned from the streets of central Paris.  More info

Where to Eat on Champs-Elysees & in the Golden Triangle

Head to Le Fouquet or the brasseries in Le Drugstore for an upscale meal, Paul for a café crème and croissant, any of the sidewalk cafes for ice cream or a drink, Ladurée for a specialty macaroon. 

In the Golden Triangle:  Join the line outside Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (15 Rue Marbeuf) for steak-frites and a glass (or two) of their organic French wine.

Closest metro stations:   Georges V, Alma-Marceau, Franklin D Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle/Étoile

2.  Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Rue Saint-Honoré, & Place Vendôme - Where to Shop for French Luxury Design

What you'll find:  Prestigious luxury designers, fabulous and fabulously expensive jewelry, specialty boutiques devoted fine leather gloves, designer bags, lust-worthy shoes - plus some of the best gourmet food shops in Paris as well as renowned 5-star hotels

Long considered the epicenter of French luxury design on the Right Bank, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré boasts over 40 designer boutiques and showrooms .  (In case you're wondering, "faubourg" designates areas once outside the city before Paris annexed them in 1701.)

Although you'll see some overlap between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (or FSH , as many Parisians call it) and the Golden Triangle - for example, Hermès  and Chanel have boutiques in both places - others such as Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin, Louboutin, and Jun Ashida can be found only in FSH. 

Walk up Rue Royale past even more boutiques including another Chanel, Massimo Dutti, Ralph Lauren to Place de la Madeleine, dominated by the majestic Madeleine Church and its elaborate Corinthian Greek columns, originally a temple built by Napoleon to celebrate his army (and himself).  Filled with magnificent art, the church hosts popular classical music concerts several times a week. 

Walk around the square to sample its gourmet shops including Maille  for fancy mustards, Mariage Frères for specialty teas, Fauchon for fois gras and caviar, and Patrick Roger for specialty chocolates, and then head back to FSH.

Once you cross Rue Royale, you're just one block away from the 1st arrondissement , the historic center of Paris, where the street name changes to Rue Saint Honoré.  Look for jewelry stores, upper-drawer home decor displays, and gourmet chocolates mixed in with enough designer showrooms to make fashionistas swoon. 

You're also in Coco Chanel's storied neighborhood.  Detour at Rue Cambon to see her original boutique and couture salon (#31) and her apartment above (although she spent her nights in her private suite at the Ritz Hotel in nearby Place Vendôme).  While you're there, check out Zadig & Voltaire's new flagship store , part fashion and part art, at 2 Rue Cambon.

Place Vendôme, easily spotted by the soaring obelisk erected by Napoleon to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, is a large open square surrounded by stately 18th century arcaded mansions with showrooms for many of the world's most famous jewelers on their ground floors and coveted apartments on upper levels. 

Amid all the splendor of Place Vendôme, the dazzling 5-star palace hotel Ritz Paris offers 21st century luxury.  Follow Coco Chanel's example and pamper yourself with a stay, or savor a drink at the hotel's famous Bar Hemingway.

Chauffeured limos angling for curbside parking as other traffic speeds by distracts from Place Vendôme's beauty during the day but come evening, it is easily one of the loveliest squares in Paris, especially from mid-November through early January when dozens of dazzling lighted Christmas trees transform it into a sparkling jewel.

Will you discover an exciting new Paris boutique showcasing emerging (and affordable) designers in this neighborhood?   No, that's unlikely - high rents mean only well-established luxury brands can afford to be here.  But even if the price tags are beyond your budget, window shopping is superb - and free.

Rue Saint Honoré continues east with more designer boutiques including Max Mara, Michael Kors, Longchamp, Fendi, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Theory until finally ending at Avenue de l'Opéra with a flourish of touristy ice cream shops and a Starbucks - which is actually perfect, because after all that shopping, you will welcome a sugar and caffeine energy boost.

How to Experience Paris Fashion & Gourmet Treats on the Right Bank : Tours for Fashion, Shopping, Food, & Wine

• French Fashion History Walking Tour - As you stroll the streets of the Rue Saint-Honoré luxury fashion district, your guide will entertain you with famous stories about Paris fashion history including Coco Chanel, Hermès, Dior, and Louis Vuitton
• Small Group After-Hours Visit to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum - This VIP after-hours tour lets you explore the historical fashion house and studio of France's great couturier, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as learn about the process of creating an haute couture collection and see displays of his work from the museum's trove of 5,000 of his creations
• Chocolate Walking Tour - The glamorous fashion district around Madeleine Church and Rue Saint Honoré boasts numerous gourmet chocolatiers - and you'll visit 5 of them on this popular tour and sample their mouth-watering creations while you learn about French chocolates

3.  La Vallée Village - Where to Find Designer Fashion Discount Outlets

Where do Paris fashionistas shop for their Karl Lagerfeld little black dresses, their Gucci loafers, and their Zadig & Voltaire biker jackets? 

Not always in the expensive retail enclaves you might imagine. 

Instead, they bypass the pricey designer boutiques along Rue Saint Honoré or in the Golden Triangle and head straight to La Vallée Village, a sprawling discount designer fashion outlet mall just beyond the city outskirts - and you can too.

You won't find the most exclusive brands such as Hèrmes or Chanel here, but with 110+ shops filled with other sought-after French, European, and American designers - Givenchy, Isabel Marant, Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, The Kooples, Burberry, Valentine, Ferragamo, Armani - you will find plenty to love. 

How much can you save?   It varies, and some items may only be available in a few sizes - but savings typically range from 20-30% up to well over 50% (we've spotted 70% reductions on a few items). You can usually find a few items with discounts on top of the regular marked down prices.  And don't forget about the annual summer and winter sales , when almost every boutique offers additional discounts for the sweetest deals of all.

La Vallée Village shops are open 7 days/week from 10am to 7pm (8pm in summer), and you can get there easily from Paris. 

How to Get to La Vallée Village by Train

Hop on the RER A train in Paris heading toward Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy-Parcs-Disney, and get off at the Val d'Europe station.  When you walk out of the station, turn right and walk through the large Val d'Europe shopping (you'll see a large map in case you're in doubt).  Walk all the way through it to reach the Vallée Village discount area. 

La Vallée Village Trips from Paris

4.  galeries lafayette, au printemps, & shopping along rue de l'opéra .

Galeries Lafayette and Au Printemps Haussmann, two legendary 19th century Belle Epoch Paris department stores or grands magasins , sit next to each other on Boulevard Haussmann and cover several city blocks just north of the Paris Opera House, Palais Garnier.

Both stores are packed with in-store boutiques featuring most of the same luxury designers you'll see in the Golden Triangle and along FSH/Rue Saint-Honoré, plus more affordable mid-range designers.  You'll also find many more affordable mid-range designers.  

But beyond shopping, there's much to admire in the ornate architecture and design of these shrines to retail:  their colored glass domes, grand staircases, and artistic details.  Galeries Lafayette sports a huge central atrium and renowned Art Nouveau staircase.  For an unforgettable experience plus fantastic panoramic views, take the elevator up to the 3rd floor and stroll across the glass walk spanning the atrium.

If you're in Paris in November, December, or early January, join the crowds admiring the elaborate holiday displays and animations in the stores' huge display windows and the huge Christmas tree suspended from the top of Galeries Lafayette's glass-dome.

More stores and boutiques line the broad avenues and smaller streets surrounding the department stores.   Avenue de l'Opéra offers an especially rich selection of shoes, bags, books, clothing, fashion accessories, chocolates, tea, bakeries, and gourmet foods on offer.  Although price ranges vary, many of the stores are surprisingly affordable.  

Camaïeu , for example, offers cute and trendy nicely-made clothing at relatively cheap prices - most of the separates cost less than 30 Euros.  If you're a fan of super-comfy Mephisto shoes, look for their shop at #12, on the corner of Rue Saint Anne, where you can sometimes happen upon a sale.  Shop in the large Monoprix (roughly similar to Target in the U.S.) near the end of the street for shampoo, small household items, and snacks - you'll find an excellent selection of French yogurts, chocolate bars, and fruit juices.

As a bonus, most stores in this area are open for shopping on Sundays.

Find the best places to stay in this lively shopping area

Where to Eat:  Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

• Galeries Lafayette - In the summer, the rooftop terrace can't be beat for its views across Paris - have drinks, or a light meal.  During other months, follow the crowds into Lafayette Maison and Gourmet across the street from the main store, and indulge in the take-away or eat-in specialties from around the world.
• Printemps - You'll find wonderful choices of food halls, gourmet items, and dining areas on the 7th and 8th floors of the Men's Store.  In the summer, dine on the Men's Store's 9th floor rooftop terrace and enjoy the sweeping views.  Or admire the incredible glass dome over Brasserie Printemps on the 6th floor of the Women's Store.
• Le Royal Opéra (#19 Avenue de l'Opéra) - A typical casual brasserie - good food for modest prices.  Go for a burger and fries or steak-frites with a glass of red wine.
• Paul (#25 Avenue de l'Opéra) - Buy a croissant and coffee to go in the front, or walk past the tantalizing display of confections to the small seating area in the back, or go upstairs.  Order a salad, sandwich, or quiche, a glass of wine, and a small fruit tart with espresso.

More Paris Shopping

Galeries lafayette and printemps flagship locations.

• Galeries Lafayette - 40 Blvd Haussmann; Metro: Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
• Au Printemps - 64 Blvd Haussmann; Havre-Caumartin

More to know:  Galeries Lafayette will usually give non-EU residents a 10% discount, provided you have your passport with you, and they will also process a VAT refund if you meet the 175.01€ minimum purchase in a single store in a single day requirement - easy to do if you're buying luxury items.  But be aware:  the refund is not available on some designer brands such as Tiffany.

5.  Palais Royal Arcades:  Discover the Specialty Boutiques & Galleries

Across Rue de Rivoli from the Louvre but hidden from sight behind a  17th century palace, now office space for the Ministry of Culture, is an almost-secret oasis missed by most Paris visitors:  an inner courtyard filled with a whimsical sculpture display by Daniel Buren, a central passage with a large fountain filled with huge shiny chrome balls, rows of carefully shaped trees, and the serenely elegant Palais Royal Garden ( Jardin Palais Royal ) surrounded by covered arcades.  

Tucked away behind the arcades are boutiques, restaurants (including 2-Michelin star Le Grand Véfour ) , and theaters frequented by stylish Parisians since the early 18th century.

Aside from a couple of designers such as Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs, most of the 40 or so boutiques focus on specialty items: antique silk kimonos, vintage Chanel and other clothing at Didier Ludot, antique coins and medals, perfume, hand-carved canes, exquisite jewelry, beautifully crafted handmade leather bags.  This is where you'll find some of the most exclusive shops in Paris for one-of-a-kind treasures.

Needless to say, prices reflect the quality and rarity of most items on display here, but if the cost doesn't make you flinch, this is a wonderful place to buy unique and precious gifts for others or for yourself.  Otherwise, enjoy window shopping and perhaps a meal in one of more casual restaurants, or just claim a spot on a bench and relax in the sun.

How to Visit Palais Royal Garden & Boutiques: Hours & Location

Palais Royal Garden opens at 7am from April 1 through September 30, and 7:30 from October 1 through March 31.  Closing time ranges from 8:30pm in the winter to as late as 11pm during the summer. 

Entrance is free. 

Look for almost-hidden entrances to the garden along Rue de Montpensier, Rue de Valois, and Rue de Beaujolais.  There is also one on Place Colette near Le Nemours cafe on Rue Saint Honoré.

Find more places to shop & things to do & see in the 1st srrondissement near the Louvre

6.  Historical Covered Passages

To experience some of the most charming remnants of the 19th century as well as one of the best but lesser-known shopping locations for unique gifts and artisan creations, spend an hour or even a day exploring Paris's covered passages.

Originally built to give shoppers a dry, safe, well-lighted place to walk, the passages are basically private lanes built between exisiting buildings and usually passing a cut-through between two major streets.  They feature soaring glass roof, shops, bistros, and sometimes theaters along both sides, and in the most luxurious examples, sumptuous decor. 

Of the 21 or so covered passages still remaining, a few have closed but most continue to thrive. 

Galerie Vero Dodat, Galerie VIvienne, Passage du Choiseul, Galerie de La Madeleine, Cour de Commerce Saint-André (which actually has medieval roots), Passage des Panoramas, Passage du Grand Cerf, and Passage Jouffroy stand out for their light-filled ambiance, lavish decorations and embellishments, appealing cafes, and unique boutiques spanning the spectrum from affordable to the high end of luxury.

You'll find most of the best covered passages in the city's 1st, 2nd and 9th arrondissements, with a couple more in the 6th and 8th.

Find out more about where to find covered passages in Paris, and the best ways to visit

6.  Shopping for French Kitchenware around Les Halles

Although the large centuries-old wholesale food market at Les Halles in the eastern end of the 1st arrondissement was demolished in 1971 to make way for an underground shopping mall, remnants of the area's food culture remain. 

If you love kitchenware in its many forms - copper pots, fancy cake baking tins, wooden spoons, Opinel knives, French wine openers, authentic macaroon baking pans, Le Creuset and Staub enameled cookware - head straight to Dehillerin (18 Rue Coquillière, 1st).  Be prepared for 2-3 hours to pass in a heartbeat as you explore all the narrow aisles in the store's two packed floors. 

You'll also find wonderful places to eat along Rue Coquillière plus more shops selling tableware items.  Other major food streets in the area include Rue Montmartre (1st) and market street Rue Montorgueil (1st).

More Food & Wine Experiences near Les Halles

Paris Wine & Cheese Lunch - Whether you're new to French wine or a connoisseur, you'll learn something new at this lunch with wine, cheese, and charcuterie (smoked ham and sausages).  You'll taste wines from 5 different regions of France, learn how to read a French wine label, and how to pair wine with food from a sommelier at a popular wine bar near Les Halles and the Louvre.  Find out more

French Wine Experience & Tasting - Taste 3 different wines, tour the wine cellars of former French kings next to the Louvre, and learn about French grapes and wine regions from a sommelier.  Find out more

More French Food Tasting Adventures

7.  shopping in the marais - fashion, food, design.

The Marais neighborhood's small cobbled streets and lanes attract fashionistas, home decor connoisseurs, and gourmands from around the world. 

Stroll along the narrow streets, and you'll find the boutiques of famous French and other European trend-setters such as Isabel Marant, Maje, Sandro, Zadig & Voltaire, Antoine & Lili, Claudie Pierlot, Lemaire, the small shops of up-and-coming designers , master chocolatiers and gourmet food purveyors, concept stores, and "stock" (discount) outlets,

The Marais covers parts of two arrondissements (districts):  the 3rd, known as the Upper Marais, and the 4th, the Lower Marais.  

As a generalization, better known brands and fashion houses cluster in the 4th, while younger French designers, smaller design studios and art galleries dot the 3rd, although you'll find plenty of exceptions such as Jean-Paul Gaultier's fashion atelier (325 Rue Saint-Martin) near the top of the Upper Marais.

Pick almost any spot in this picturesque neighborhood to begin your shopping excursion , and you really can't go wrong. 

But here are a few suggestions about where to start: Rue des Francs Bourgeois, Rue du Temple, Rue Ferdinand Duval, Rue des Rosiers, Rue du Parc Royal and Rue Elzevir near the Picasso Museum, Rue Vieille du Temple. 

Don't miss the antique, design, and luxury fashion shops under the arcades surrounding Place des Vosges, or the highly esteemed concept store Merci (111 Boulevard Beaumarchais) where you'll find a beautifully curated selection from home goods to fashion to books displayed on multiple floors.

Recommended Marais Shopping & Food Tours

• Walking Food Tour with Cheese, Wine, and Delicacies in Le Marais - This tour takes you past lively boutique-filled streets and quiet almost-hidden passages as you savor the best treats in the neighborhood.  Along the way, you'll sample fresh pastries, chocolates, cheese and wine, and a lot more as you learn about French culinary art.  Find out more
• Eat, Drink & Explore Medieval Neighborhood Le Marais - On this small group walking and tasting tour, you'll sample some of the best specialities in the Marais while exploring and learning about this gay-friendly district, its wonderful Jewish-influenced eateries, and its medieval architecture.  Find out more 
• Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour - You'll explore small streets and hidden nooks of the Marais while learning about the neighborhood, visiting chocolate shops and bakeries, and enjoying tasting some samples.   Find out more

8.  Canal Saint-Martin:  Trendy Boutiques, Concept Stores, & Pop-Ups

One of the best places right now in Paris to shop for emerging trends and new designers is along Canal Saint Martin  in a swath between Place de la République and Gare de l'Ést and bordered by Boulevard de Magenta.  

This rapidly gentrifying, rapidly changing area in the 11th arrondissement offers relatively cheap rents (which doesn't mean they're actually cheap, just more affordable than the 1st, 8th, or even the 18th), lots of youthful energy, and a creative spirit you'll see reflected in the street art, small cafes and bars, and tiny boutiques, galleries, pop-ups, and concept stores showcasing emerging designers and artists. 

Good streets to explore include Rue des Vinaigriers, Rue de Lancy, Rue Beaurepaire - although with The Kooples, Maje, agnès b., Les Petites boutiques popping up along Rue de Marseille, the neighborhood is no longer off the radar of established designers.

9.  Les Puces - The Biggest Flea Market Village in the World

Don't think of the famous Les Puces Paris Flea Market at Saint-Ouen/Clignancourt as just one market - it's more like a large sprawling village where over 3,000 boutiques, shops, and stalls offer literally everything you can imagine plus a lot more.  It's the biggest flea market in the world.  Spend an entire day or even a weekend there, and you'll still barely scratch the surface of what's on offer. 

So what will you find?   An immense selection of mostly French and European furniture from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, antique crystal chandeliers and brass candelabras, vintage clothing and jewelry, sculpture and architectural pieces such as fireplace mantles and entire staircases, larger-than-life-size statuary, vintage plumbing fixtures including brass and porcelain faucets, 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 a lot more.

What's good to know:   From a practical perspective, of course any purchases you might make should ideally fit into your suitcase for the trip home.  But if you somehow fall in love with something huge - let's say an oversized 18th century gold-framed mirror, or perhaps a 12 foot tall marble giraffe statue - the flea market's onsite shipping services will crate it up and ship it home to you. 

Les Puces is on the Paris outskirts, easy to reach by metro - but there's also a  cool onsite hotel.

Find out more about shopping at the Paris Flea Market, plus where to stay nearby

Where to find smaller flea markets Paris

10.  Montmartre Shopping Destinations:  Rue des Abbesses & Marché Saint-Pierre District

What you'll find:  West of Sacre Coeur: merging designers, small boutiques with featuring mostly French clothing and accessories , antique shops, art galleries, vintage stores.  East of Sacre Coeur: Marché Saint-Pierre District for dozens of shops offering discount fabrics, linens, boots, clothing

Walk the length of Rue des Abbesses, starting near Cimetière des Montmartre, and you'll pass any number of interesting small shops selling everything from clothing to jewelry to leather, along with probably an even larger number of small cafes, bistros, and food markets.  Along with established Paris designers such as Sandro and Claudie Pierlot, you'll see even more names you don't recognize.

That's because this is the area to explore if you're interested in trendy fashion by new designers.  To find the latest newcomers to the Paris fashion scene, continue down Rue des Abbesses (which turns into Rue d'Orsel) and be sure to detour along the way - Rue Houdon, Rue des Trois Frères, Rue des Martyrs (which extends all the way down to the SoPi, or South of Pigalle, neighborhood in the 9th and is one of the most popular market streets in this part of Paris). 

Once you reach Rue Briquet and Rue Seveste, you're in the Saint-Pierre Market district and will begin to see fabric stores.  To reach the biggest and what many feel is the best of the individual stores, turn left at Rue Seveste, then right at Place Saint-Pierre.  In one short block, you will see Dreyfus - Marché Saint-Pierre, a huge 5-floor fabric emporium with prices ranging from discounted to affordable to cheap. 

Dreyfus is where professional stylists and designers shop.  Look for Hawaiian fabrics and specialty velvets on the ground floor, linen towels, table runners, and napkins on the 1st floor, delicate laces and drapery fabrics on the 2nd, Jouy toiles on the 3rd, and designer fabrics by Pierre Frey, Lacrois, Canovas, and more on the 4th.

Several other stores rival Dreyfus in scale and may offer even lower prices, but none quite match its quality and scope.  Dozens of smaller shops offer more fabrics, trim, drapery and other hardware, clothing, boots, and bags.

11.  Bastille:  Shopping in the Passages & Inner Courtyards

Behind Place de la Bastille in the 11th arrondissement lies a section of Paris favored by  furniture makers and woodworkers  since the 12th century.  Relatively cheap rents (for Paris) have continued to make this area attractive to artisans and craftspeople, independent fashion designers and quirky shops, although rising rents are changing the retail mix.

Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine provides the main access to this increasingly trendy area from Place de la Bastille.  In recent years, French and even global chain brands have popped along the first several blocks of this traditionally working class street.  Why, you may wonder, would anyone who doesn't live in the neighborhood come all the way out to East Paris just to visit another Sephora or Undiz lingerie store?

What makes this area interesting, especially if you're the type of shopper who enjoys surprise discoveries, is the maze of ancient passages, back alleys, and interior courtyards.  They may no longer house as many traditional workshops and ateliers - you're now more likely to find digital design studios - but they maintain their status as centers of creativity and commerce.   If you thrive on discovering new and emerging fashion trends, designers, and concepts, and perhaps even seeing artisans at work, these are the places you'll want to explore.

Start by walking east on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine.  In between all the jeans stores, you may spot a few interesting places, including furniture stores and design studios.  At Rue de Charonne, turn right if you want. 

Look for unexpected gateways and small signs for places starting with "Passage" and "Cour" - for example, Cour Saint-Joseph off of Rue de Charonne, Passage du Cheval Blanc, Passage Jossett, Passage Saint-Antoine, Passage de la Main d'Or - and when you see them, explore.  Wander down side streets such as Rue de Charonne, Rue de Montreuil, Rue Saint-Bernard, Rue de Dahomey. 

This part of Paris is evolving all the time so it's hard to predict what you'll find.  Enjoy the adventure!

More Interesting Places to Shop in East Paris

• Rue d'Aligre Flea Market - One of the best smaller Paris flea markets, and only one block from Rue de Faubourg Saint-Antoine.  Walk down Rue de Cotte to Place d'Aligre, and you'll see it.
• Viaduct des Arts - Created from a decommissioned railway viaduct, with 62 beautifully arched spaces containing the workshops, showrooms, galleries, and boutiques of 40+ arts and crafts experts. You'll find fashion, design, decor, jewelry, and art.  More info: Viaduc des Arts website

12.  Village Saint-Paul

Artisans, galleries, boutiques, antique shops, and bistros make Village Saint-Paul one of the most charming places to shop for specialty items in Paris - but it's almost one of the hardest to find. 

This thriving enclave of independent artisans and boutique owners (no global brands or chain stores allow) is tucked away in a quiet corner of the 4th arrondissement's Saint Paul Quartier, originally the site of a women's monastery founded in 630.  

Like the rest of the Marais, the Village has protected heritage status which helps preserve its medieval atmosphere . 

Surrounded entirely by street-facing buildings, Village Saint Paul is accessed through narrow passages that you might easily miss.  However, once you enter the "village," you'll find a maze of interconnected courtyards and passages so tranquil that you may forget you're in Paris. 

Each boutique, workshop, and gallery offers unique items, and while prices for the most precious objects and art reflect the high quality, others are surprisingly affordable.  

Selections change frequently, so you never know what you will find - but if you're in this part of the Marais, don't miss the chance to explore.

How to Find Village Saint-Paul

Village Saint-Paul occupies the inner courtyards of a block surrounded by Rue Saint-Paul, Rue Charlemagne, Rue des Jardins Saint-Paul, and Rue de l'Ave Maria.  Entrances on Rue Saint-Paul and Rue Charlemagne are the easiest to spot - look for small signs saying "Passage Village Saint-Paul ."

More to See near Village Saint-Paul

• King Philippe-August's wall and rampart - Built between 1180 and 1210 by King Philippe-August to protect the French capital when he left the country to fight in the Third Crusade, little remains of the wall today - but you can see the longest portion still standing, including part of a tower along Rue Des Jardins Saint Paul at the back of a ball field
• Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis, a 17th century church with a magnificent interior that's well worth visiting, backs onto Rue Charlemagne.  Although you can reach by cutting though a couple of narrow passages, the sanest approach to walk up to Rue de Rivoli and go in through the main entrance.  It's also a spectacular setting for occasional classical concerts - check our concert schedule to find dates.
• A chunk of the old Bastille Prison - If you're a historian or even have just a casual interest in the history of the French Revolution, you may have heard that the 14th century fortress that housed the infamous Bastille prison was totally destroyed in the aftermath.  That's not 100% accurate.  Construction workers discovered part of the base of one of its eight towers while excavating for the Paris Metro's Line 1.  They moved it to Square Henri Galli, a tiny green space overlooking the Seine about a block from Village Saint Paul.  If you're walking in that direction, stop by to see it.

What Else to Do in Village Saint-Paul

Visit the Museum of Magic ( Musée de la Magie , 1 Rue Saint-Paul), located in what the arched cellars of a 16th century inn (according to rumors, a former residence of the Marquis de Sade). 

You'll find it filled with the props of magic and illusionist shows including posters, costumes, automations such as a coin-operated fortune teller, distorting mirrors, crystal balls, skeletons, and even an Egyptian-style sarcophagus.  Guided tours end with a magic show.

The museum is a big favorite of Parisian children, but it's also interesting for all ages.

Location:  11 Rue Saint Paul, 4th Open: Usually Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday from 2pm-7pm, plus a few additional days and hours - so check the Museum of Magic's website before you go

13.  Saint-Germain Galleries, Boutiques, & Antiques

Almost the entire Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris's 6th arrondissement presents tantalizing shopping opportunities, especially if you buy at the high end of the price spectrum. 

You can easily spend a day or more visiting all the chic fashion boutiques around Saint-Sulpice Church , along Rue Bonaparte/Rue des Rennes , and Rue de Saint-Père where Vanessa Bruno, Barbara Bui, Saint Laurent, and numerous gourmet chocolate boutiques compete for shoppers' attention.

But if you want to zero in on something unique and special to this neighborhood, head to the area hugging the Seine River between École des Beaux Arts (School of Fine Arts) and Rue des Grands Augustins where dozens, possibly hundreds of antique stores, art galleries, rare book dealers, and design studios cluster along narrow streets lined with 16th and 17th century buildings. 

Prices in most places range from high to astronomical, but if your budget can accommodate the splurge, this is where to find something  rare and wonderful.

Frugal Shopper's Tip:   If you'd like to bring home a piece of art from Paris but can't afford an original Chagall sketch or signed Picasso lithograph, look through the bins of unframed prints by unknown artists in Saint Germain art galleries, particularly those near Beaux Arts and along the quai next to the Seine.  You may find something you love for less than you'd expect.

14.  Bonus Areas for Shopping in Paris

• Rue Saint-Dominique between Avenue Bosquet and Blvd de la Tour-Maubourg, 7th arr, metro: La Tour-Maubourg - Nice selection of boutiques featuring mostly French designer labels, ranging from affordable to very expensive
• Place des Victoires, between 1st and 2nd arr - Elegant luxury and high-end designer boutiques, with interesting small shops on the side streets, especially those north of the square
• Île Saint Louis -  Interesting and eclectic mix of art galleries, gift shops, chocolate and gourmet food shops, clothing boutiques, and antique dealers along this tiny island's main street, Rue Saint-Louis en Île
• Rue de Rivoli, between the Place de la Concorde and Louvre-Rivoli metro stations - Everything from souvenirs to global chains to high-end fashion and art
• Bercy Village - Former wine market, with 42 storehouses re-purposed as boutiques, restaurants, and cinemas.  Next to the Seine River in the 12th arr, nearest metros: Cour Saint Émilion, Bercy

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Shopping places in Paris: 14 Best streets, boutiques and hidden passages

• Post category: French Style / Paris & Île-de-France
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

Paris is a city filled with history, art, architecture, food, wine, and romance. In fact, there is so much to do that you may find yourself forgetting to squeeze some time in for that oh-so-relaxing activity: shopping!

Parisians are reputed to be famous for their style , so if you want to compare notes to the shops you have at home, you’ve come to the right place. From giant department stores to little boutiques, there is a bit of everything in Paris. There are stores that cater to luxury jewellery and pret-a-porter clothing , to stores with quirky knickknacks and vintage items.

Whatever your preference, this fashionable city offers a variety of shopping for all of travellers. So let’s get to the the best shopping in Paris, shall we? Allons-y!

1. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

Near Opéra on the Right Bank, this is France’s answer to Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Galerie Lafayette and Printemps are known in France as the Grands Magasins which is the French word for “large shop” aka “department stores”.

They sit side by side along Boulevard Haussmann just across from the Palais Garnier, the national Opera of Paris, along with other smaller shops around like Zara, Petit Bateau, and more in the 9th arrondissement .

The area is named for Baron Haussman, who designed much of the buildings in Paris during the latter half of the 19th century.

Inside Galerie Lafayette and Printemps, you will find something for all budgets. From upscale fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Prada, etc. there are also the modest brands like Mango and house brands.

Here, you will find the most popular shopping streets, selling clothes and accessories for both adults and children, as well as home goods and other items.

In addition, don’t miss the view from the top floor of Galerie Lafayette. And if you like fashion, book a ticket to the Galerie Lafayette fashion show .

2. Avenue des Champs Elysées

Most locals don’t usually head to the Avenue des Champs Elysées to shop since it can get rather crowded, but if you are looking for a place to see the flagship store of a particular brand, the Champs Elysées is your best bet.

From Lacoste to Tissot, you have your pick.  There’s something for everyone, from Nike to Bulgari. With plenty of cafés around, it is also a lovely place to sit around and people-watch.

And if you are a football fan, check out the Paris Saint Germain football team’s souvenir shop that is on the Champs, right near the movie theatre.

3. Avenue Montaigne and the Triangle d’Or

If you are looking at the French high-end boutiques such as Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, they are actually just off of the Champs-Elysées on Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement .

This somewhat unassuming quiet street is all the luxury shops like Givenchy and Prada are located.

This area is called the Triangle d’Or because of all the high-end boutiques located in this area. The triangle is formed by Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Rue Francois 1er, which is just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

Be sure to have your car and driver on standby however, to carry all those packages!

4. La Samaritaine

The newest kid on the block is actually also one of the oldest, located in the 1st arrondissement . Originally built in 1905, the department store was closed in 2005 for a substantial renovation, only reopening in 2021.

It is now owned by Bernard Arnault ‘s LVMH group making it a natural competitor to Galerie Lafayette and Printemps in the 9th arrondissement .

La Samaritaine is located right on the quays of the Seine near Pont Neuf, and because of its excellent location, it was supposed to be turned into a hotel. The French government decided to step in and insist on a renovation, with a hotel built in the building attached.

Today, the Samaritaine has been fully restored, and with a wonderful restaurant and brewery inside, it certainly is doing its part to attract shoppers.

5. Place Vendome and Rue Saint-Honoré

If you don’t care for shopping centers, one of the most exclusive shopping areas in Paris is Place Vendome in the 1st arrondissement . There are several spectacular jewellery stores in this area like Cartier, Boucheron, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Place Vendome is also right next to Rue Saint Honoré in the 1st arrondissement. This tiny street is located behind rue Rivoli’s souvenir shops and holds some of the most fashionable brands in the world. 

With everything from Celine to Chloé and Balenciaga to Guerlain, you will have to hold on to your wallet.

6. Bon Marché

Another grand magasin, this time on the Left Bank of Paris, is the Bon Marché in the 7th arrondissement . Founded in 1938, the Bon Marché literally translates to the “Good Market”.

Originally, it was a shoppers’ paradise to sell lace, ribbons, sheets, mattresses, buttons, umbrellas and other assorted goods. Today, it is also owned by the LVMH group, and sells many of the same brands as La Samaritaine.

Along with luxury brands, the Bon Marché is also famous for its Grand Epicerie , meaning “ large grocery store “.

It offers one of the largest ranges of artisan culinary products from France such as varieties of seafood, cheese , meats , pastries , etc. It also offers exotic products from other countries that are not so easily available.

7. Vintage Shops

If you are looking for that bargain find, there are several vintage shops in Paris, particularly around the Marais . The most notable and popular ones are:

• Come on Eileen – 40 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 – Vintage designer pieces from the 1960s to most recent times. If you are looking for that lightly-used Chanel or Hermes jacket, this might be your best bet.
• Tilt Vintage Paris – 8 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 – Second hand finds from the 1960s onwards, that are reasonably priced in near mint condition. They also have an online store .
• Free’P’Star – 61 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 – clothing for women and men, including 1-euro bins. Stock changes often, so go with an open mind.

8. BHV Marais

Just across from the Hotel de Ville in the 3rd arrondissement is the grand magasin (large shop) called the BHV. It is part of the same group that owns the famed Galerie Lafayette shops.

The large building is fully occupied by BHV with 6 floors and an underground, selling everything from clothing and shoes, to kitchen items and DIY tools. Prices vary from luxury to more modest items.

There is also a superb rooftop bar and restaurant on the top floor with excellent views all across the city.

9. Marché aux Puces de Saint Ouen (Paris flea market)

Marché aux Puces literally translates to “flea market”, and in the neighborhood of Saint Ouen you have the biggest one in Paris. With over 2000 little shops and stands of mainly antiques and artwork, this is flea market is one of the most popular in Paris , just outside the 18th arrondissement .

The market dates back to 1885 and is on the border of Paris, because at the time the government décret did not allow the merchants to set up shop within the city limits.

From tables to armchairs, chandelier lighting to old books and jewellery, all with that certain French je ne sais quoi , you will wish you had brought more luggage. (Not to worry, the Paris flea market has those as well.) There are also sometimes clothes, sneakers and garage sale items, but of rather questionable quality.

There are 5 main markets to explore:

• Marché Biron – antique furniture, paintings, tapestries, mirrors, etc.
• Marché Dauphine – classic knickknacks, old books, vintage photos and records.
• Marché Jules Vallès – postcards, posters, gadgets, old weapons, etc.
• Marché Vernaison – old furniture, toys, lamps, and glassware.
• Marché Malik – vintage clothes and accessories

It is estimated that the Marché aux Puces de Saint Ouen attracts 5 million shoppers per year.

10. St-Germain-des-Prés

If you want to enjoy a bit of shopping in Paris and then relax at one of Paris’s most famous restaurants like Café de Flore or Le Procope , you will want to head over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés .

Located in the 6th and 7th arrondissements , this is Paris at its chicest. Around Boulevard Saint-Germain, Rue Jacob, Rue de Grenelle and Sèvre Babylone, there are plenty of boutiques that are likely to catch your eye.

Designers like Giorgio Armani, Sonia Rykiel, Christian Dior, and Ralph Lauren have opened boutiques in this shopping district. There are also French classics like Aigle and Mes Desmoiselles.

From the intersection of Rue du Bac and Boulevard Raspail, you can follow Boulevard Raspail down to Rue de Rennes to find plenty of small stores with products for the home.

In addition, be sure to make a stop at one of the artisan patisseries in the area like Pâtisserie Michalak or La Tarte Tropézienne, to recharge your forces with a bit of sugar.

11. The Marais and Rue Rivoli

If you are looking for tiny boutiques, you will want to go shopping in the Marais . Forget the luxury brands of Avenue Montaigne, for emerging designers you will want to head to Rue Vieille du Temple in the Haute Marais.

Wander into FrenchTrotters or Hipenema, a few steps away from Karl Lagerfeld’s concept store on Rue Vieille du Temple . Other popular streets in the Marais include Rue de Birague , Rue Charlot , Rue de Sévigné , Boulevard Beaumarchais , and Rue du Roi de Sicile .

In addition, you will find all the shopping mainstays on Rue de Rivoli, which is an easy way to orient yourself. There’s lots to explore, so put the map away and just wander to where you feet may take you .

12. Forum des Halles Shopping Center

Just steps away from the Metro station Chatelet and the Marais, is the Forum des Halles shopping center. If you are looking for a classic centre commercial (meaning “mall”), the Forum des Les Halles in the 1st arrondissement is it.

The original Les Halles was a wholesale food market in Paris dating back to the 12th century. The market was moved to the Marché de Rungis in the 1960s leaving a rather ugly hole right in the historic heart of Paris.

After several rounds of renovations, the Westfield Forum des Halles is today one of the most visited shopping malls in all of France.

Including everything from Zara to Mango and more, there are plenty of shops for all your shopping needs, protected from the vagaries of Parisian weather .

Much of the Forum des Halles is underground, including the movie theatre which connects directly to the metro and RER trains from all across the Grand Paris region.

13. Les Passages Couverts

If you are looking for some charm and a few hidden gems, you may want to have a stroll through Paris’s Passages Couverts.

There are several across Paris such as Galerie Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement , which used to be the original covered malls in the city.

Today Galerie Vivienne houses several charming little shops, cafés, and bookstores.  Another covered passage, one of the oldest in Paris, is the Passage des Panoramas which dates back to 1799.

The passages are not easy to find, so equip yourself with a good GPS, or you can take a guided tour . With allocated time for shopping of course.

14. Quatre Temps in La Défense

Now if you are looking for the biggest mall in Paris (and at one point all of Europe), it has to be 4Temps in La Défense . Located in the west end of the city at the end of Metro Line 1, the mall is in Paris’s business district.

This giant shopping mall has over 220 shops, divided in two buildings that are across an esplanade from each other, about 190 on the 4Temps side and 30 on the CNIT side. And this doesn’t count the 40+ shops in the train station underground that connects the two.

There are no luxury boutiques here. Instead you will find favorites like Zara, Nature et Découvertes, H&M, and more. If you have a lot of stuff to buy, you won’t want to miss out.

If you enjoyed that article, you may want to read more about top things to do in Paris . A bientôt!

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Best Shopping in Paris: From Budget-Friendly to Luxury

Brandon Shaw Last Updated: June 12, 2023

The French have been influencing fashion for centuries and shopping is considered serious business in Paris. Where are the best places to go shopping in the fashion capital of the world? We’ve put together a list of the best shopping in Paris to suit all styles and budgets, plus a few tips on how to make the most of your time.

Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Paris? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Paris for more planning resources, our top Paris tours for a memorable trip, and the best things to do in Paris .

A Guide To Shopping in Paris

Headed to the fashion capital of the world? You’ll want to know all the best places to shop from the main shopping streets of Paris to the architecturally beautiful galleries. However, Paris shopping isn’t only about fashion.

In this guide, we’ll also share tips on shopping the summer and winter sales, finding Paris’ shopping outlets, and where to shop for food and antiques. Paris is a shopper’s heaven! Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Main shopping streets in Paris
• Parisian shopping galleries
• Summer and winter sales
• Paris outlets
• Antique shopping
• Food shopping
• Budget-friendly shopping

Already in Paris?

Not ready to book a tour? See if Paris tours are worth it .

The Main Shopping Streets in Paris

Shopping was practically invented in Paris. It was the first city in Europe to be almost entirely illuminated at night, allowing people to go out to dinner and walk around at night safely under the moonlight—another reason Paris became famous for being romantic.

Paris was also allegedly the first city with large window displays to advertise textiles. At one point, the city asked shop owners to pitch in to illuminate the city by placing candles in their windows. Later, they must have added garments and viola! Window shopping was born.

Champs D’Élysées

Yes, Champs D’Élysées is arguably the most famous shopping street in Paris. It’s a beautiful street and the Arc de Triomphe is a majestic structure, but would I shop on Champs D’Élysées? I’d take my wife to LV if she wanted, but it’s probably not the place for one-of-a-kind things.

There are much nicer and less crowded streets where you’ll find the highest quality brands except with a better shopping experience. It really depends on what you want to do with your trip to Paris. If you want to hit Zara then it’s great.

If you’re looking to purchase expensive goods that you may not be able to find elsewhere on Earth while being served cucumber water and a light snack, I recommend these two other locations. 

Location: Av. des Champs-Élysées

Avenue Montaigne

I truly appreciate buying my wife an expensive purse if it means I get to stroll down Avenue Montaigne and enjoy the shopping experience. It may be the most luxurious-feeling street on Earth. 

It’s a beautiful street lined with incredible architecture. The stores vary from high-end designers we all know to high-end designers only fashionistas are familiar with—it’s a cool experience. 

Location: Avenue Montaigne

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

If you dream of walking through the fanciest streets in Paris and splurging on high-end brands, then Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré is your place!

This street is lined with some of the world’s most famous brands including Hermés, Cartier, Prada, and Louboutin. Make no mistake, this is not for discount shoppers. But even if you’re not ready to drop some serious cash, this street is still worth a stroll.

Besides high-end clothing and jewelry boutiques, Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré is home to renowned art galleries, embassies with beautiful architecture, and even the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic.

Location: Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

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Skip-the-Line Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris

Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why stress over the logistics? Meet a local guide in central Paris who will purchase your train tickets and ensure you get off at the right stop. Then enjoy a guided tour of the palace and the unforgettable gardens. Skip-the-line admissions included to the palace and gardens.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Paris tours to take and why .

Parisian Shopping Galleries

Parisian architecture is among the most intricate and beautiful in the world. Passing through a Paris shopping gallery is a great way to shop and sightsee at the same time. These galleries scream luxury and, unfortunately, make spending your hard-earned money easier.

Galerie Vivienne

Located a few blocks from the Louvre, Galerie Vivienne is a gorgeous petite gallery with beautiful shops, a café, and incredible architecture. One of our top things to do in Paris , shopping in this gallery is for you if you’re looking for an unknown place to snap a picture or eat breakfast.

You’ll also find great shops with boutique designer fashion. Just a few blocks from the Louvre on the other side of Palais Royal, it’s a great place to come for a post-Louvre snack. Especially, if you walk through Palais Royal on the way!

Address: 5 Rue de lal Banque

Galerie Lafayettes

The historic Galeries Lafayette department store has been a Paris icon since it was established in 1912. If Galerie Vivienne is a petit boutique, then Galeries Lafayette is the opposite.

Composed of three buildings that house over 3,500 brands, one of the original founders of the store declared he dreamed of creating a luxury bazaar, and that’s exactly what he did.

Parisians and tourists alike flock here for the best clothes shopping in Paris. Even if you’re not a big shopper, it’s worth paying a visit.

The store is famous for its dome designed in the Art Nouveau style. On the 7th and final floor of the Coupole building, there’s a large viewing terrace that offers great views of the city.

Pro tip: If you visit Paris during Christmas time , don’t miss the Galeries Lafayette window displays, which have become a serious Parisian Christmas tradition.

Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann

Paris Summer and Winter Sales

Massive sales happen twice a year in France: in July and January. Called les soldes in French, the sales normally last around four weeks and the discounts increase as the weeks pass.

Near the end of the sales, it’s not uncommon to find items as much as 75% off. Even if you’re not set on buying a new outfit while in France, you can still find great non-clothing items during the sales. One of the best things about Paris’  les soldes is that they apply for all kinds of merchandise, including furniture and electronics.

Paris Outlets

Looking for outlet shopping in Paris? About 40 minutes by train outside of the center of Paris, a mecca of shopping stores awaits you. With over 160 stores, Val d’Europe is a massive shopping outlet mall offering boutiques with a wide range of products.

Right behind the Val d’Europe center is La Vallée Village , another outlet center featuring 110 boutiques. The main difference between these two shopping centers is that La Vallée Village focuses on designer brands. So, while there will be discounts, expect prices to be fairly high still.

Both shopping centers are open seven days a week. One other cool fact about these outlets: they’re located about 5 minutes from Disneyland Paris!

Address: Val d’Europe | La Vallée Village

Antique Shopping in Paris

Flea market lovers, rejoice! Paris is home to the largest antique market in the world! Located near the Porte de Clignancourt metro station, the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen market (sometimes referred to as just ‘Les Puces’, which literally translates to “The Fleas”) is home to over 3,000 traders and welcomes an estimated 180,000 visitors per weekend.

This is your place to find antique furniture, toys, art, ceramics, books, and more. The market is open on weekends and Mondays, but we strongly recommend going on Saturday or Sunday, as some of the dealers choose to remain closed on Mondays.

Note that the area immediately surrounding the flea market is a less affluent area of Paris, and probably not one you’ll want to take a romantic stroll through.

If you head to the flea markets, do some research on the most direct way to get there from where you’re staying and (as with anywhere in a big city) keep a close eye on your belongings while shopping.

Location: Les Puces de Saint-Ouen market

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Castles, rolling hills, Amazing wine, and Authentic Food are what come to mind when you think of the French countryside and you will find them all in the Loire Valley! Join your fun and expert tour guide in a small group as you travel on a climate-controlled bus from Paris. Your knowledgeable tour guide will unveil the secrets of the French Loire Valley with funny stories throughout your day together.

Starting at €169

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Remember the victories and the losses of the D-Day landings during World War II with this Day Trip from Paris. Your fun and knowledgeable guide will unveil the secrets of this fateful period in history with insightful stories. You will also visit a museum in a real German bunker on Utah Beach. All Admissions & Lunch Included

Paris Food Shopping

One of the best things about France is its food, and a trip to Paris would not be complete without seeing or tasting some of the best bites France has to offer.

La Grande Epicerie is a fine food market that oozes Parisian gastronomy, featuring some of the best and most unique foods and alcohols that make for fun gifts to take back home for family and friends. If French food is really your scene, make sure to check out our Le Marais Food Tour. It’s a celebration of food and travel!

Another fun stop is Mariages Frères , a gourmet tea company founded in Paris in 1854. The tea is sold in multiple stores or you can enjoy a cup of tea in one of their five tearooms located in the capital.

Chocolate lovers should make a stop at La Maison du Chocolat , and anyone looking to try Paris’s best macaroons can’t miss one of the Pierre Hermé stores.

Budget-Friendly Shopping in Paris

Everyone enjoys shopping without breaking the bank. For more affordable shopping in Paris, try shopping in the Marais district, spread out over the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Here, you can find many quality clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as bigger brand-name stores.

Another option is Rue de Rivoli. This street is home to dozens of clothing stores. Some you’ll most likely recognize from back homes , such as H&M or Gap, but also others that are only known domestically in France.

If you head down to Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, next to Paris’s City Hall building, you’ll also find another renowned department store called BHV. Enjoy shopping in Paris! Want to explore the City of Lights with people who know all her secrets? Check out our top-rated Paris tours and day trips .

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Paris tours are worth it .

Where To Stay in Paris

With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.

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10 Independent Parisian Shops and Boutiques to Explore

22 February, 2023

From historic ateliers and vintage boutiques to specialist food stores, Paris is a shopper’s dream. Here, we bring you 10 must-visit magasins to explore

I n In a league of its own when it comes to shopping, Paris is not exactly lacking in interesting addresses. But therein lies the problem. When there’s a beautiful store around every corner, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you (it’s a hard job etc) and picked out 10 of the city’s must-visit independent shops and boutiques.

From a vintage emporium and a historic chocolate maker to a vegan concept store, every one of these establishments offers something a little bit special.

10 of the best independent shops to discover in Paris

Stohrer. | Photo credit: Alexandre Guirkinger, Martin Bruno

Les Merveilles de Babellou

Tucked away in the sprawling Saint-Ouen flea market, just north of Paris’ 18th arrondissement, this vintage emporium contains the most beautifully curated collection of iconic French fashion. From Chanel handbags to Hermès scarves and Christian Dior shoes, all the most coveted pieces can be found here. Opened in 2008 by Isabelle Klein, known for her forensic fashion knowledge, this is the kind of place where you go for that one special item to keep forever. So, prices don’t come cheap, but everything comes fully authenticated. Also, something of a rarity in the fashion world, the staff are both helpful and friendly. Check the opening times before travelling: they vary throughout the week.

The oldest patisserie in Paris, Stohrer was founded in 1730 by King Louis XV’s pastry chef, Nicolas Stohrer, and continues to wow customers with the best of classic French pastry today. Located on the famous foodie street, Rue Montorgueil, which is home to all manner of irresistible edibles, both the shopfront and elegant interior are listed as a historical monument. Together, it all adds up to a dreamy setting in which to pick up your elevenses. Everything is also made on site – and the rum babas, which were devised by Nicolas Stohrer himself, are the stuff of legend.

Guerrirsol.

This small chain of second-hand shops won’t win any awards for being the chicest in Paris, but could well scoop the prize for the best bargains. Brimming with every conceivable item of clothing, rails require a deep dive, but there are gems to be found. Spread over three floors, the store near Rue de Rivoli is one of the best-curated. It also has a section for premium items, going for around £13 each at the time of writing, but prices start from next to nothing. You have to steal yourself a bit, as the smell is definitely eau de charity shop, but there’s nowhere better for vintage treasure-hunting at vintage prices.

8 Blvd de Sébastopol, 75004

The Red Wheelbarrow

This beautiful bookshop is packed to the rafters (literally) with a wide selection of English-language works including classic and contemporary literature, poetry, history and politics. It also has a neighbouring children’s store, The Red Balloon, with books in both English and French. At the heart of it all is the charismatic owner, Penelope Fletcher, who is sometimes described as “the book whisperer” because of her uncanny ability to recommend just the right thing for every customer. Found within a leaf’s fall of the lovely Jardin du Luxembourg, the main store also hosts book signings, poetry readings and author talks.

9 Rue de Médicis, 75006

Run by a collective of 220 creators, this small group of stores provides a showcase for their work, ranging from jewellery and gifts to interior decor. As such, there is no better place to get a feel for the current creative zeitgeist. Look out especially for the origami-esque creations of Avec du Papier, the plant terrariums of Niwa and the steampunk-style embroidered insects of Atelier Noboru. The stores are staffed by the artists themselves and there’s something for all budgets, with the colourful hair clips starting from around £2. The outlet in Rue Popincourt is a perennial favourite.

24 Rue Popincourt, 75011

À la Mère de Famille. | Photo credit: Alexandre Guirkinger

À la Mère de Famille

When it comes to chocolate, À la Mère de Famille is the original, and arguably the best in the business, having opened back in 1761. Today, although there are several outposts across town, the flagship store in the 9th arrondissement remains an institution. Untouched since the late-19th century, the shop is straight out of another age – its elegant green-and-gold facade is listed as a historical monument. Using traditional, time-tested recipes, the team produces the finest chocolate candies, spreads and confectionery, among other delights, all beautifully wrapped in the company’s distinctive brown-and-orange packaging.

Herboristerie de la Place Clichy

One of the oldest herbalists in Paris, this ancient apothecary was founded in 1880 – and has hardly changed since. The shop’s facade is a portal to another century and, inside, the wooden shelves are piled high with all manner of lotions and potions. Everything about this store feels totally out of time: you go in and talk to the herbalist about whatever your ailment may be and they duly rustle up a remedy from one of the shelves before handwriting the instructions on the label. The service can sometimes seem a little stern but that’s all part of the experience.

Aujourd’hui Demain

The first vegan concept store in the city, Aujourd’hui Demain combines a food shop, fashion area, beauty section and restaurant/coffee bar all in one place. While there are several decent vegan shops now in Paris, this one is doing something a bit different, with its combined offering spread over 150sq m. In short, it’s nice to be able to get your groceries, buy a new pair of boots and have a delicious vegan dinner all in the same place. Open since 2017, the store is located in a cool, buzzy neighbourhood and attracts a diverse crowd. Regular events include screenings, tastings and pop-ups.

L’Aparté

Festooned with flowers made from the most delicate paper, L’Aparté is like a glorious garden in the middle of Paris. From gorgeous garlands of camellia-clad fairy lights to decorative strings of dangling leaves and vases of voluminous floral blooms, each piece is handcrafted, so therefore unique, and every one is finished to a “haute-couture” standard. Co-founded by François Louis Périssé and Isabelle Chupin, the store takes floral art to a whole new level – and all against the beautiful backdrop of the 19th-century shopping arcade Galerie Vivienne, which is well worth a visit in its own right.

L’Étiquette

This quirky little wine boutique, on the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris, specialises in organic, natural and biodynamic wines – including those without added sulphites. Open since 2012, it stocks an eclectic selection of some 300 products, with an emphasis on independent winemakers that respect the environment. At the helm is the effervescent Hervé Lethielleux, whose hilarious videos about the world of wine – recorded in English – have garnered something of a cult following. The shop hosts regular wine-tasting events, too – also available in English – but this is definitely a place for those in the know rather than hordes of tourists.

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Shopping in Paris

The 7 Best Places for Shopping in Paris

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

For reasons that elude most of us, Parisians tend to make impeccable fashion sense look like a walk in the park. Even on modest budgets , they generally seem to just know how to pull it all together and create enviable and seemingly effortless looks. Call it "je ne sais quoi," if you must. 

It's no surprise that the French capital has held onto its reign as the global center of all things style-related. After museums and monuments , shopping alone attracts millions of visitors every year. 

While the city is studded with fabulous boutiques and stores, these seven ultra-popular shopping districts in Paris are gold mines for discount-hunters, designer divas, window shoppers, and fashion victims alike.

There's room for all budgets, too—so looking snappy doesn't have to rhyme with going broke. Make sure you take home a little  "je ne sais quoi" by clicking through our picks for the top centers of style in the French capital.

Louvre and Tuileries District

• Best for:   Crème de la crème  designer fashion, chic home furnishings, quality cosmetics
• Getting there:  Metro Concorde, Tuileries (Line 1), Pyramides (Line 7, 14)
• Main streets:  Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue de la Paix, Place Vendome

The Faubourg Saint-Honoré district is the pulse of Paris design and fashion. Part of the Louvre-Tuileries neighborhood, the Saint-Honoré fashion district is studded with flagship shops from classic designers like Versace, Hermes, and Saint Laurent but also houses resolutely trendy boutiques and concept stores. 

Also, make sure to check out the elegant boutiques lining the arcades (covered galleries) of the Palais Royal : from luxury perfumer Serge Lutens to upscale vintage shops, jewelry, and art, shopping in the Palais Royal's chic nooks is worlds away from the hustle-and-bustle of central Paris and offers a dose of authentic old-world chic. 

The Faubourg Honoré is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the grandeur of the  Opera Garnier  and the Belle-Epoque  Paris department stores  dominating Boulevard Haussmann, including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (click through to next page for more on these treasure troves). 

Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards

• Best for:  Getting lost in Paris' prestigious—and dizzying—Belle-Epoque department stores ( grands magasins )
• Getting there:  Metro Havre-Caumartin (Line 3 or 9), Opera (Lines 3, 7, 8), RER Auber(Line A)
• Main streets:  Boulevard Haussmann; Place de la Madeleine

The old Parisian department stores are famous for being worlds unto themselves.  Galeries Lafayette  and Printemps department stores dominate Boulevard Haussmann with real Belle Epoque grandeur, concentrating top designer collections for men and women, gourmet food shopping, home design, jewelry, and even hardware into a labyrinth of consumer delights. Of course, these "grands magasins" are decked out in the winter months with lights and elaborate decorations for the holiday season, so don't miss checking them out then. 

Covered Passageways ("Les Arcades")

Also make sure to check out the old-world elegance (and high-quality boutiques) of the old covered "arcades" (passageways) in the area, including the Galerie Vivienne, which houses luxury boutiques from top designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, as well as rare bookshops, old-fashioned artisan toy shops, and gifts. (Metro: Bourse or Palais-Royal Musee du Louvre)

Other "arcades" worth exploring nearby include the Passage Jouffroy, with its throwback-style shops, and the Passage du Grand Cerf (Metro: Etienne Marcel), well-known for its intricate antiques and fine old jewelry. Stop at the latter before exploring Rue Etienne Marcel and its trendy boutiques from designers including Kenzo and Thierry Mugler. 

• Best for:  Eclectic and high-fashion, high-quality chains, vintage stores, artisan and handcrafted jewelry, antiques and fine art galleries, cosmetics, and perfumeries.
• Getting there:  Metro Saint-Paul (Line 1) or Hotel de Ville (Line 1, 11)
• Main streets:  Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Place des Vosges, Rue de Turenne, Rue des Rosiers

The historic  Marais quarter  is the prime stomping ground for shoppers with an eye for the unique and finely-crafted, not to mention antique and fine art lovers. Try antiques or fine-arts shopping on the Place des Vosges, jewelry, fragrance, and cosmetics shopping at boutiques like Diptyque and MAC on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, or plunder fashionable but accessible chains such as COS on Rue des Rosiers. 

If you're a fan of excellent teas , chocolate, and other gourmet goods, the Marais is also an excellent area for foodie shopping. For high-quality French tea, head to Mariage Frères (and its adjoining tearoom) on Rue du Bourg-Tibourg, or Kusmi Tea on Rue des Rosiers. Meanwhile, Josephine Vannier (4 rue du pas de la Mule) is listed in our guide to the best chocolate makers in Paris . 

For a great concept shop in the general vicinity, Merci is one of the trendiest places in town to shop for men's and women's designer fashion, home decor, accessories and books, and more. The tearoom and cinema-inspired adjoining restaurant next door are perfect spots to perch, see, and be seen, too. 

Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées

• Best for:  Designer shopping, trendy chain stores, Sunday shopping
• Getting there:  Metro Alma Marceau (Line 9), Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1 and 9), George V (Line 1), RER A (Charles de Gaulle-Etoile)

Avenue Montaigne and  Avenue des Champs-Elysées  form one of the city's most coveted fashion junctures. Avenue Montaigne is fast outstripping Saint Honoré in the arena of chic-cachet, with legendary designers like Chanel and Dior lining the street with flagship boutiques. The Champs-Elysées, for its part, features luxury names (Louis Vuitton) while also being a major spot for shopping in trendy global chains like Zara. Meanwhile, to keep the kids happy, the Disney Store dominates the "Champs" with fun window displays and enough toys to colonize the moon. 

St-Germain-des-Prés

• Best for:  Chic, classic design, books, and home furnishings
• Getting there:  Metro Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4), Sèvres-Babylone (Line 10)
• Main streets:  Blvd. St.-Germain, Rue St. André-des-Arts, Rue de Sèvres

Once synonymous with the famous intellectuals who haunted local cafés, St.-Germain-des-Prés has acquired several shades of chic and is now a preferred spot of BCBG's (yuppies). Sonia Rykiel and Paco Rabanne have boutiques here:

Try Rue Saint-Andre des Arts for rare books, unique regional gifts, and vintage threads. 

Meanwhile, the Bon Marché is the consummate left-bank address for local department store shopping for classic chic. If you're a foodie or searching for gourmet goods to take home, make sure to whirl through the enormous food hall there, too. 

Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli

• Best for:  Major chain shops and trendy boutiques
• Getting there:  Metro Chatelet-Les Halles (Line 4, RER A,B)
• Main streets:  Rue de Rivoli, Rue Pierre-Lescot, Rue Etienne Marcel, Rue de Turbigo

Once the locus of "the guts of Paris"—an enormous outdoor food market, the area around Châtelet-Les Halles was transformed into a central shopping area in the 20th century. At metro Les Halles is a monstrous underground mall, "Le Forum des Halles," where global chain stores reign.

Running east to west from the Marais to the Louvre, Rue de Rivoli is much the same. Great deals can be made on this long shopping artery in the city center, even outside the Paris sales season. Chains such as H&M and Zara dominate the area, but closer to the Louvre, you'll find many antique shops and art galleries for those looking for special pieces to bring back home. 

Meanwhile, quirky contemporary boutiques abound in the adjoining (and much trendier)  Rue Montorgueil  area, including Barbara Bui and young cutting-edge designers.

Dig Around at a Paris Flea Market

TripSavvy / Leopoldine Bauer

• Best for:  Antiques and oddball items, discounted and vintage clothes and shoes
• Getting there:  Metro Porte de Clingancourt (Line 4) or Garibaldi (Line 13)

The Saint-Ouen flea market (or "puces"—literally, "fleas") is the city's largest and dates to the 19th century. Located at the northern tip of Paris,  les puces  are an essential shopping stop. Come here for a few hours to browse the antique furniture, odd objects, or vintage clothes. There are also many other flea markets around the city, and they're pretty much all worth spending an afternoon exploring.

You may not come away with a masterpiece painting (as once was the case), but a find you are likely to make. A word of advice, however: weekdays are preferable to avoid the inevitable crowds. Also make sure to watch out for pickpockets . 

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The Best Markets in Paris (For Every Type of Traveler)

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Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Marais Neighborhood

Place Vendôme in Paris: The Complete Guide

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Guide to the 2nd Arrondissement in Paris

The 10 Best Districts For Paris Nightlife

The Top 10 Things to Do in Paris's Saint-Germain-des-Prés District

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My 9 Favorite Places In Paris To Go Shopping

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When you read articles about where to shop in Paris, they tend to focus on the admittedly fabulous fashion available in the city or other luxury treats. Instead, having called Paris home for 6 years, I want to offer you a selection of shops or markets that tick all the boxes of your daily needs and wants when in Paris.

I have listed a few of my favorites places to go for anything from daily fresh food to gorgeous flowers and from presents and souvenirs to books and special treats. Some of the names of shops you might recognize, others you won’t ever come across if you are just visiting for a brief interlude. All are special to me, and, I hope, will give you the inspiration to go shopping or browsing for both daily necessities as well as decadent little treats.

The list will take you across several arrondissements , mentioned just behind the name of the individual places, and I have also added the nearest metro stop.

Enjoy shopping like a local in Paris.

1. Marché Rue Poncelet, 17 th , Metro Ternes

There are so many markets in Paris that it is difficult to commit to a favorite, but this one on Rue Poncelet is small, very local, and steps away from my home, so it is an obvious frontrunner. No, it does not have the length of the Grenelle Market that runs along below metro line 6, nor does it have the variety of the Marché d’Aligre in the 12 th , but what it does have is a purely local clientele and a couple of great cafes where to sit back and watch the goings-on. You’ll see the normally restless Parisians queue patiently for their Sunday roast chicken and take forever discussing the ripeness of a particular cheese.  Then they all grab their baguette, their chicken, and their fresh flowers, and sit down at Café Dada on the corner of Rue Poncelet and Avenue des Terne for a chilled glass of wine. It is pure Paris, and a great local, non-touristy experience.

Pro Tip: All markets in France are open daily from 7 a.m. to around 2 p.m., but are closed on Mondays.

2. La Grande Epicerié, 7 th , Metro Sevre-Balylone

Even with all the great markets and multicultural stores around Paris, sometimes you just want a treat you remember from back home or found abroad when traveling. La Grande Epicerie within the stylish department store Le Bon Marche is a treat for all the senses and not only takes food shopping to another level with its stunning displays, it also has food items from around the globe that you might not find in your local Monoprix. I envy everybody who can afford to do their weekly shop in this place, as everything is enormously overpriced, but you pay for the locations and atmosphere and simple enjoyment of being there, as much as the very high quality of the produce.

Pro Tip: Grab a homemade sandwich from the cooler section and eat it in the lovely little Jardin Catherine-Labouré just down the road.

3. Deschamps, 17 th , Metro Pereire

As with markets, flower shops can be found at every corner in Paris. So, why this one? Deschamps , the name a combination of des and champs , or “from the fields,” is the flower shop that sustained me during the pandemic lockdown in Paris with its endless color, cheerfulness, and aromatic blooms. I cannot possibly tell you how much money I spent there on peonies and later sunflowers alone. I went at least once a week to fill up my apartment, and its status as essential shopping tells you something about the French joie de vivre .

Pro Tip: Another gorgeous shop, more widely distributed throughout Paris is the chain Au nom de la rose which always strews its displays with beautiful rose petals.

4. Librairie De Centre Pompidou, 4 th , Metro Rambuteau

When it comes to finding unusual presents or perfect coffee table art books, museum shops are hard to beat. Within the Centre Pompidou are two stores which cover all your needs, and you don’t even need to buy a ticket to any of the exhibits — even though that would be a great idea while you’re there. As you enter, on your left is the museum store with quirky items ranging from notebooks to fridge magnets, but not run-of-the-mill in the slightest, while on the right lies a cavernous bookstore that specializes in art, architecture, and design books covering artists from around the globe. You can browse forever.

Pro Tip: Head upstairs for coffee or, even better, lunch at Georges , which serves up the best views in tout Paris. Again, no ticket is necessary. 

5. Abbey Bookstore, 5 th , Metro Saint-Michel

I am an avid reader, to say the least. In fact, my husband keeps bemoaning the fact that according to him, 80 percent of our possessions are books. It can be a costly habit when you live abroad, and foreign-language books cost more than local language tomes. So, it was lucky that I discovered the second-hand English-language bookstore Abbey Books , run by Canadian Brian Spence, whose shop is crammed full of everything you could possibly wish to read. And he offers you a coffee while you browse.

Pro Tip: Abbey Bookstore is a block or two behind the fabulous Shakespeare & Co., which is so overrun with tourists that you have to queue to get in the door. So, if you are not after sightseeing, but rather something to read, this is a much easier and cheaper option.

6. Marché Aux Puces De Porte De Vanves, 14 th , Metro Vanves

Everybody knows the Puces de St-Ouen at Porte de Clignancourt, and it is a great flea market. Only it’s not really a flea market. While it is fun to meander through, the chances of finding a bargain are slim to impossible. Instead, head south to the opposite end of Paris to the market at Porte de Vanves . Every Saturday and Sunday between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., all kinds of vendors line the Avenue Marc Sangier and sell you anything from furniture to old dolls, from Hermes scarves to mahjong sets. Here, there are no professional setups, only tabletops, and you can bargain to your heart’s content. I dare you to walk away without something. I have not managed it even once.

Pro Tip: Just a couple of hundred yards down the road, at Parc George Brassens, you will not only find a vineyard, but also the best antique book and map market in Paris.

7. Theatre Booth, 17 th , Metro Ternes

Trying to find theater or ballet, or indeed any other performance tickets in Paris when you did not plan ahead, can be near impossible. But there is hope. For short notice — and often discounted — last-minute tickets, pop to the Kiosque Theatre Ternes . This tiny kiosk, open Tuesday to Saturday between 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., does not guarantee you tickets, but knows about the day’s cancellations and increases your chances dramatically.

Pro Tip: There is another booth at Madeleine which might be handier if you are staying centrally.

8. Aux Merveilleux De Fred, 16 th , Metro La Muette

Do you like sweet things? Then look no further than Aux Merveilleux in the gorgeous neighborhood of Passy. French for “to the wonderful,” this tiny little pâtissier is decked out with a sparkling chandelier and a simple worktop where the bakers create confections, plus a small display. It doesn’t need anything else, because the display empties as quickly, or even more quickly than they can replenish it. Imagine a cloud covered in sweet fluffy meringue, a subtle hint of additional flavor, and a puff of deliciousness that makes you roll your eyes, gasp with pleasure and head straight back to buy more. Truly, forget macarons or profiteroles; this is a delight, and not many non-locals know about it.

Pro Tip: This is a chain, and you can find a few more stores around Paris and France, but don’t miss a stroll around Passy with its markets and gorgeous shops, plus the superb Musee Marmottan Monet nearby.

9. Lavrut, 2 nd , Metro Quatre Septembre

I don’t know about you, but I adore stationery and art supplies. And I don’t even do art. But I could look at colored pencils, at feathery paintbrushes, at beautiful notebooks and colored ink-pen ink forever. Add a few beautiful greeting cards, desktop utensils, interesting paper, and leather items, and Lavrut in the gorgeous, covered Passage Choiseul in the heart of Paris is perfect for an afternoon well spent. This store is simply a pleasure to be in, so whenever I can find an excuse, I am in the lovely passage and in that shop, just browsing. Or so I tell myself.

Pro Tip: For another quirky shop in another gorgeous passage, head to Au Materiel de Collections , in the Passage des Panoramas. If you are a collector at heart, you will find countless sheets and albums for all sorts of collections. I have an album for the metal disks on top of champagne corks, called capsules, from there. Very useful indeed.

I could go on endlessly, telling you about my favorite little shopping places in Paris. Alas, I have run out of space. My apologies. Bon shopping!

For more ideas and inspiration on Paris , explore these articles:

• 6 Tips For Beating The Crowds At The Eiffel Tower
• My 5 Favorite Outdoor Markets In Paris
• 5 Things You Should Never Do When Visiting Paris’s Outdoor Markets

A travel writer and guidebook author for the last 20 years, Ulrike's work has been seen in National Geographic , BBC , The Independent , Australian Women's Weekly , The Telegraph , The Australian , Fodor's , France Today , CNN Travel , Lonely Planet , Travel + Leisure , CNTraveler , numerous inflight magazines, and many others.

She has written three books for Moon Travel Guides: 'Living Abroad in Australia' (3rd edition), 'Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef', and the shorter version 'Spotlight Sydney' and are all available in print and as e-books.

Having lived in seven countries (Germany, UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Australia, and France) to date and traveled to more than 100, she specializes in writing about travel, art and architecture, expat living, and life and style.

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Paris Shopping Guide

Paris is famous for its fashion shops and trends. Where and what can you shop for in Paris? Check our list of the best shopping streets, shopping centers, shops, and markets in Paris.  

Shopping Tips

Paris is the shopping metropolis of France. Here, shopping centers, shopping streets, small boutiques and markets meet for the pleasure of shopping addicts and quality clothing lovers. Fashion is an essential part of the culture in Paris, it's even considered an art. Between freaky ideas, designer fashion, and luxury labels, you can find everything here.

Our first tip is definitely to bring  good shoes, if you will spend few hours shopping in Paris. Indeed, Paris has a very developed metro system but somehow, walking is very pleasant. The streets and even shopping malls are very well-designed, but may make you tired quickly.

Here are some places where you might walk a lot while shopping.

• The Avenue de Champs-Élysées shopping mile, the Les Galeries LaFayette shopping center and the market in Le Marais Quarter are famous.
• Luxury labels have settled in the golden triangle, the area between the streets of Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V, and Rue François 1, which is the ultimate place for luxury shopping in Paris.
• Close to the center is the Printemps shopping center and Westfield Forum des Halles. Unique fashion is mainly sold in boutiques around Boulevard Saint-Germain and in the Le Marais district.
• The Marché des Enfants Rouges is famous for its stands, cafés, and restaurants. 

Shopping Tours in Paris

Opening hours in paris.

Shops in Paris are generally open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00, Sunday is a holiday. Grocery stores are open on Sundays at certain hours depending on the district. Some smaller shops close for one or two hours at lunchtime. However, the large shopping centers are usually open on Sundays. 

Weekends:  Since the easing of the store-closing law, shops in tourist areas may also open on Sundays. This affects around 3,000 shops in Paris. Especially in the well-known shopping streets such as Champs-Élysées, Rue Saint-Honoré, and in Le Marais. In these places there are many shops open on Sundays. All major shopping centers, including LaFayette, Les Halles and many more, are also open on Sundays.  

Typical Places for Shopping 

An overview of shopping streets, shopping centers, and markets

Paris is filled with good shops all over the city. However, you can distinguish  2 types of shopping places : shopping centers and shopping streets. Both have advantages and inconveniences and appeal to different kinds of people. Do you prefer to have all the shops available in one big center? Or do you like to be in the fresh air and walk-by shops on a street? 

In a shopping center, you know what is inside thanks to the mall plan at the entrance and it can be practical on a  rainy day in Paris . The shopping street are more open for surprises and  help you discover the city at the same time. To get all the good addresses, we prepared two articles for you that guide you through the shopping areas in Paris.

7 Best Shopping Streets in Paris [with Map]

10 best shopping centers in paris, souvenirs from paris.

What can I take home from Paris?

There are as many ideas of presents to bring from Paris as there are shops. Here, we prepared a list of 11 ideas of things to bring home from Paris. Check out typical Parisian clothing, food, special Parisian items and many more ideas that will make you and your loved ones very happy!

What to Buy in Paris: 11 Must-Have Souvenirs and Where to Find Them

Brands to Shop For

What brand to buy in Paris?

Paris is a wonderful paradise of French and international brands. From luxurious to average price, you can find a shop for every desire and every budget in the capital of France. There are some "must-shop in" places only available in Paris or big cities around the world. Let's take you through them.

A Few Shops to Visit in Paris

• Luxury Brands: Chanel, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, Versace, Balmain, Céline, YSL...
• Cosmetics:  Guerlain, Mac Cosmetics, Clarins, Esther Lauder, Chanel, Lancôme, Bourgeois, Vichy, Nuxe...
• Clothing for Women:  The Kooples, Sezane, Maje, Sandro, Comptoire des cotonniers, Isabel Marant...
• Clothing for Men:  Celio, Kenzo, Ami Paris, Armand Thiery, Bexley, Calvin Klein, Chevignon, De Fursac, Hugo Boss...
• Jewelry: Cartier, Chaumet, Tiffany&Co, Myriades, Swarow, Mauboussin, Bulgari, Breguet...
• Accessories: Chloé, Jaquemus, Chanel, Dior, Lancel, Longchamps, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Lancaster...
• Sports: Adidas, Nike, Magasin Fifa...
• Malls: La Fayette, BHV, Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps
• Other Stores: Disney Store, Apple Store, Marks&Spencer, Banana Republic, Ferrari Store

3 Well-Known Places for Shopping

The Largest Shopping Street. The Most Famous Shopping Center. The Most Important Market.

Avenue de Champs-Élysées

The most famous shopping street in Paris and far beyond is the Avenue de Champs-Élysées, with its luxury boutiques, flagship stores, designer labels, and small boutiques along the side streets. More than 300,000 people walk along this magnificent, almost 2-kilometer-long boulevard every day. A must-see, even if you don't plan to buy much, at least the Arc de Triomphe .

• Check the Top-Rated Arc de Triomphe Tickets compared for you here!
• Check our article on things to do on Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris.

Les Galeries LaFayette Shopping Center 

The Les Galeries LaFayette shopping center has all types of shops, from budget shops to top-of-the-line luxury brands, over a total surface area of 70,000 m². The roof terrace of Galeries LaFayette is famous for its champagne bar called the Ice Cube Bar, which offers a magnificent view of Paris.

Marché des Enfants Rouges

The oldest market in Paris, Marché des Enfants Rouges, "Market of the Red Children", dates back to 1615. The children from the nearby orphanage used to be dressed in red, the color of charity, which gave the market its name. The lively market atmosphere and the numerous gastronomic offerings attract visitors from all over the world. The market is located in the Le Marais neighborhood and it is easy to combine a visit to the market with a visit to some sights.  

What Can I Combine with Shopping?

Paris is a capital city with about 12.5 million citizens. That is why the shopping streets, districts and centers are spread out all over the city and there are numerous pedestrian zones in Paris. This makes it easy to combine a visit to the main sights with a short shopping break.

Such examples are the Avenue de Champs-Élysées, which stretches from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe , and Rue Saint-Honoré, which extends to the Le Marais quarter with the Picasso Museum, as well as Pompidou Center and the National Museum of Modern Art . Additionally, you can visit the Parisian weekly markets.

Places to Shop Near the Sights

• Avenue de Champs-Élysées: The most famous shopping street in Paris is almost 2 kilometers long. Its location in the heart of the city center makes this magnificent boulevard the ideal place for a shopping break during a city break. If you like, you can stroll from the Arc de Triomphe along the Camps-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde. Alternatives to international brand name shops can be found in the side streets.
• Le Bon Marché:  Le Bon Marché department store is located just a few minutes' walk from the famous Saint-Germain district. Even though its name means "good business", you will find shops in the upscale range. Saint-Germain, on the other hand, with its boutiques and art galleries was a popular meeting place for artists, writers and politicians at the beginning of the 20th century, that is why it is now known as the intellectual quarter of Paris.  
• Rue de Rivoli: If you want to visit all the shops, you have to spend at least one whole day here. Rue de Rivoli stretches between the old, authentic Le Marais district and the former Palace, which is now the Louvre Museum. It's a good alternative if you want to combine shopping with sightseeing. 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the normal SHOP HOURS IN PARIS?

Shops are open in Paris between 9:00 and 20:00. Supermarkets often open earlier and stay open until 20:30 at the latest. Shopping centers and fashion stores sometimes do not open until 10:00 a.m. It is always advisable to check the exact opening hours of the shops on the Internet.

Can I shop on the weekend?

Since the easing of the store-closing law, shops in tourist areas may also open on Sundays. This affects around 3,000 shops in Paris. Especially in the well-known shopping streets such as the Champs-Élysées, the Rue Saint-Honoré or in Le Marais there are many shops open on Sundays. All major shopping centers, including LaFayette, Les Halles and many more, are also open on Sundays.   

IS PAYMENT BY CARD POSSIBLE EVERYWHERE IN PARIS?

Supermarket chains, shopping centers and shops almost always accept debit and credit cards. Small cafes, restaurants and market stands sometimes do not accept cards. The question of accepting cards before ordering is therefore a recommendation in Paris.

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE QUARTERS WITH Unique FASHION?

Unique fashion is mainly sold in the boutiques around Boulevard Saint-Germain and in the Le Marais district.

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An Insider's Guide to Paris — Luxury Hotels, Vintage Shops, and the City's Best Restaurants Included

The best trips to Paris blend the new and the old. Here, a longtime Francophile shares which landmarks are worth visiting, plus a mix of classic and recently opened hotels, restaurants, bars, and more.

• Best Hotels and Resorts

Best Things to Do

Best nightlife.

• Best Restaurants

Best Time to Visit

How to get there, other neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

First-timers come to Paris seeking Eiffel Tower views, flaky croissants, snapshots of the Mona Lisa, and a proper taste of steak frites. Even seasoned visitors of the City of Light would agree: Cravings for that postcard version of the city don’t abate easily, but there’s so much more to see (and taste, and do). 

Luckily, part of Paris' enduring magic is how expertly it weaves the living museum of itself — the can’t-miss landmarks, historic cafes, and perfectly preserved artist studios — with the momentum of what’s new. A Michelin-starred restaurant with a deep-cut Champagne list beckons just beyond the Eiffel Tower; a kaleidoscopic Wes Anderson-inspired hotel sits on the corner of the Hôtel de Ville; and late-night wine and cocktails lure in chefs and industry folk until 5 a.m. at a bar beside Place de la République. You don’t have to choose between the old and new Paris. It’s all there — you just need to know where to look. 

To that end, I’ve curated a list of tried-and-true bonnes adresses to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris, from the city’s most luxurious hotels to convivial natural wine bars, expansive concept shops, museums of all kinds (everything from Picasso to perfume), and restaurants for every occasion. 

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• It’s certainly a splurge, but there’s no place more emphatically Parisian than the Ritz Paris, where sumptuous suites and the Bar Hemingway beckon. 
• The superb lunchtime tasting menu at Michelin-starred Substance is inventive, surprisingly affordable, and conveniently around the corner from the Eiffel Tower. 
• Visit the former studio and gardens of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle at the intimate Musée Bourdelle, tucked away in the 15th arrondissement. 
• Spend your Sunday souvenir shopping at one of the world’s largest flea markets, Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. 
• Mingle with local chefs, bar owners, and other industry folk over a nightcap at Cavalier, a natural wine and cocktail hot spot just off the Canal Saint-Martin.

Best Hotels and Resorts 

Cheval blanc.

Courtesy of Cheval Blanc Paris

Perched just over the Pont Neuf in the historic Samaritaine department store, this 72-room marvel is a beacon of luxury (of the LVMH variety). The location is as central as it gets and the spa is divine (it’s Dior), plus there’s a dreamy lap pool and sauna as well as an intimate new Japanese restaurant. 

Le Grand Mazarin

Sophie Dodd/Travel + Leisure

Step into your own Wes Anderson film at this Martin Brudnizki-designed property on Rue des Archives, smack in the middle of the bustling Marais . Here, 61 maximalist rooms and suites dazzle with velvet headboards, ornate tapestries, and objets d’art . Dip down to the subterranean pool to admire the Cocteau-inspired fresco, then treat yourself to the salted chocolate mousse at Boubalé .

The Ritz Paris remains in a class of its own. Classical music plays underwater at the pool here, while marble fireplaces, sumptuous drapes, peach-colored bathrobes, and over-the-top room service transport you to a bygone Paris — one where you might still find Marcel Proust scrawling notes in the tea room, or Coco Chanel checking in on her atelier. If you’re not looking to splurge on a stay, be sure to book in at Bar Hemingway and take a stroll around the covered arcade just to bask in the hotel’s history. 

Cour des Vosges

This sublime address feels like a well-kept secret: It’s discreetly tucked away in one of the arcades around the leafy Place des Vosges, Paris’ oldest and most picturesque planned square. A spiral staircase (and a small elevator) lead to a dozen rooms and suites where exposed wood beams, curated libraries, and well-stocked bar carts welcome you home.

Saint James Paris

Fancy a visit to the French countryside, but short on time? Transport yourself there with a stay at this newly redesigned château hotel — the only one of its kind in the city — that borders the sprawling Bois de Boulogne (and the must-see Louis Vuitton Foundation ) in the ultra-private 16th arrondissement. Grab a martini at the sexy, wood-paneled Library Bar or steal away in the beautifully manicured gardens with a good book — and don’t miss the elegant Guerlain spa and lap pool. 

Leopoldine Bauer/Travel + Leisure

Visit a museum.

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to at least one museum — and luckily, the city has more than 130, dedicated to everything from impressionism to wine to the art of smoking. While droves of people will queue up for their selfie with the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, I’d encourage you to check out some of the quieter, quirkier museums — like Maison Fragonard’s perfume museum , Montmartre’s charming literary museum , or the kid-friendly fairground museum hidden in the Pavillons de Bercy — which are often located in less central neighborhoods and will bring you into more local Paris. 

When it comes to art museums, it’s hard to top Musée Picasso , housed in a 17th-century mansion with a superlative collection by the Spanish painter plus ever-rotating exhibitions. The Centre Pompidou is the city’s always-invigorating modern and contemporary art museum, which is set to close for major renovations in 2025. Musée Marmottan Monet , meanwhile, is home to the largest collection of the pioneering impressionist’s work in the world, and it's running an Olympics-inspired exhibition through September 2024. Impressionist lovers shouldn’t miss the Musée d’Orsay , a former Beaux-Arts train station where you can have a tête-à-tête with works by Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and more. 

Two other favorites: Spread across two Renaissance mansions and a beautiful courtyard, Musée Carnavalet explores the history of Paris through street signs and other fascinating relics of its past. Across the river, a few blocks from the Montparnasse Tower, Musée Bourdelle is a light-filled wonder of works by sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, a contemporary of Rodin whose former studio and gardens are a haven to walk around. 

Eat your way through Paris’ oldest food market.

At the heart of what is now the trendy Marais neighborhood, the Marché des Enfants Rouges has been operating since 1615 and retains much of its out-of-time charm. It’s a beguiling labyrinth of food and flower stalls: tried-and-true favorites include Chez Alain Miam Miam 's famous sandwiches, the seafood-focused small plates and natural wines of Les Enfants du Marché , and the carnivorous hedonism of The Butcher of Paris . 

Tour the city’s covered passages. 

The French know a thing or two about the art of shopping, as evidenced by the sublime elegance of the 19th-century covered passageways running throughout Paris. Less than two dozen of the nearly 200 original glass arcades remain, and are now home to rare bookshops, vintage postcard stores, artisan workshops, clothing shops, and wine bars. Trusted guide companies like Viator and Get Your Guide offer walking tours that hit the highlights (Galerie Vivienne, Passage Jouffroy, Passage des Panoramas, and more), or you can choose to wander them at your own pace.  

Hit the major landmarks.

No matter if it’s your first or 50th trip to Paris, you’ll always find yourself struck by the grandeur of the city’s famous landmarks. While some demand a visit, others, like the Eiffel Tower, best reveal their magic when glimpsed from afar (Rue de l’Université and Avenue de Camoens are two excellent viewing points). The Arc de Triomphe can be checked off your list from the Champs-Élysées, but it’s worth going up at least once to take in the spectacular views over Paris. Other main attractions, like the pristine white dome of Sacré-Cœur Basilica, should factor into part of your neighborhood explorations, as you trace your way up the steep steps of Montmartre for more panoramic views, vintage shopping, and charming museums. 

If time allows, hop on the RER C train and head toward the Château de Versailles (the station is Versailles Château–Rive Gauche), where you can immerse yourself in the gilded rooms and fairy-tale gardens of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. 

Learn the art of French savoir faire from local tastemakers.

“There’s nothing like being with a local,” says Clément Le Coz, co-founder of luxury travel agency Le Coup de Foudre , which curates bespoke itineraries around fashion, fine jewelry, antiques, literature, and just about any other creative pursuit. 

“Just getting a list of tips and places is the first step, but a moment to spend there with someone is incomparable,” he adds. Along with his wife, Justina Socas, the pair of them are devastatingly elegant — their team of in-the-know locals opens up a version of Paris that’s nearly impossible for visitors to access otherwise, including private visits to the Manufacture des Gobelins (a centuries-old tapestry factory) and lunch inside the mesmerizing atelier of La Maison Charles , a historic bronze manufacturer.  

“You’re providing a piece of history,” says Le Coz. “It’s not only taking people to a private showroom or introducing them to a fashion designer; it’s explaining the significance and the story behind it.” 

Best Shopping 

This three-story concept shop in the Marais always yields some new delight, be it a chic branded burlap tote, a pink ceramic dessert plate, or a perfectly tailored button-down shirt. It’s one of my go-to spots for souvenir shopping, and you can grab a coffee at their Used Book Cafe if you’re in need of a pick-me-up. 

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

Sundays in Paris are a quiet affair, as many restaurants and businesses are closed. To make the most of your day, head to the sprawling wonderland of the Saint-Ouen , where nearly 2,000 vendors comprise the largest secondhand market in the world.

Head to Marché Paul Bert Serpette for showrooms full of fabulous furniture; to Marché Dauphine to check out the retro spaceship centerpiece, plus vintage clothes, books, and records; and to Marché Vernaison for more than 200 vendors selling souvenir-worthy bric-a-brac. Local guides can help you find the best stalls —  Paris Flea Market is a great independent tour company leading small group and private tours. 

Shakespeare and Company

John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images

Finish the book you brought to Paris? Lose yourself in the city’s legendary English-language bookstore , once frequented by literary luminaries like Allen Ginsberg and Anaïs Nin. It continues to be a welcome home for contemporary writers, hosting book talks with writers like Sheila Heti and Ottessa Moshfegh on a regular basis.

This multilevel concept store is a stone’s throw from the Marché des Enfants Rouges and feels a bit more off-the-radar than Merci. It was founded by the French federation of craft professionals and showcases hundreds of their unique handmade works, from statement necklaces to ceramic tableware.

Vintage Shops

There’s no shortage of exceptional vintage stores in Paris, from the bargain-bin kilo shops of the Marais to more curated boutiques and appointment-only showrooms. Some favorites include Sous Les Pavés, Le Vintage , a three-story funhouse of "Alice in Wonderland" proportions in Saint-Michel, specializing in 1960s Italian designers (think lots of Pucci) and meticulously restored lingerie. Vintage Inspiration Paris is a pint-sized treasure trove of Yves Saint Laurent blazers and Mugler dresses and bags up in Batignolles, while En Voiture Simone and Nice Piece are beacons of good taste in the Marais, drawing in Parisian It girls and A-listers alike. 

Pharmacie Citypharma

French pharmacies are a beauty and bargain lover’s paradise, and this is the best and biggest of the lot. From affordable retinols to brightening Caudalie products and Nuxe body oil, this two-story pharmacy in Saint-Germain-des-Prés makes for excellent souvenir shopping. 

Jon Hicks/Getty Images

Chambre Noire

Arrive early to secure a spot at this canal-adjacent watering hole — and know that you might end up staying until close. Here, hip expats, in-the-know visitors, and a good dash of French folks push together tables and knock knees on small stools as they crowd around bottle after bottle of natural wine from Austria, Germany, and, of course, France. Steal a spot on the terrace if you can — and order the olives, tortilla, and mushrooms. Just make sure you’ve marked the 4 Boulevard Jules Ferry location on the canal, as their wine shop sometimes comes up on Google Maps or Uber instead. 

Cafe La Perle

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place for people-watching than this corner cafe in the heart of the Marais. Grab a 14-euro carafe of house wine and a sidewalk stool in the early evening, then settle in to watch the parade of Parisians heading to apéro hour. Late at night, the crowd skews French and youthful, taking over the street, waving cigarettes around, and dodging scooters as they sort out their after-party plans. 

A favorite of locals and visitors alike, this Oberkampf gem is perpetually crowded. Fresh, seasonal small plates fly out of the kitchen until 11 p.m., and tables grow increasingly jubilant as magnums of wine start to crowd their tables. If you don’t mind a crowd, it’s a perfect bar no matter the weather — cozy and warm in winter, airy and flowing out onto the sidewalk in summer. 

Vinyl lovers looking for a place to groove will find it at Fréquence . While not exactly a dance bar, there are always people moving here — to what degree depends largely on the music and how packed the floor is. It’s a tiny space (which often means waiting in line to get in if you show up late), but the cocktails are reliably good, plus there’s wine and sake. The crowd thins as people rotate in and out of the downstairs smoking room. On weekends, it’s open until 4 a.m. 

Smack between Place de la République and Canal Saint-Martin, this late-night wine and cocktail bar is an industry hot spot that stays open until 5 a.m. most nights, welcoming in chefs and sommeliers who’ve just finished a shift nearby. Guest chefs whip up small plates from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; afterward, you can order cheese and charcuterie platters and oysters until the wee hours, parking yourself on the terrace in warmer weather. 

Best Restaurants 

The food around the Eiffel Tower tends to be overpriced and underwhelming — definitively not the case with one-Michelin-star Substance , which is helmed by 29-year-old chef Matthias Marc and offers a 65-euro tasting menu at lunch. Get a front-row seat to the spectacle at the chef’s counter, where he displays calm concentration and evident joy while transforming the products of his native Jura into sublime dishes (such as a transcendent gnocchi finished off tableside with Morteau sausage and vin jaune that brought me to tears). The wine list is impeccable — but if you’re feeling adventurous, trust the sommelier’s pairings. For those with time on their hands, the more immersive tasting menus — which can last three or four hours — are worth it.

Tucked down a winding private street just beside Père Lachaise, this Basque-inspired hideaway always feels like a party. In warmer weather, long tables stretch out underneath twinkling lights in what might be the city’s coolest courtyard, where locals smoke and sip on natural wine before finishing off with flan. 

Breizh Cafe

Courtesy of Breizh Cafe

It would be a crime not to eat a crepe during your trip to Paris, and you can find some of the best at Breizh Cafe . Their Brittany-style buckwheat galettes are so popular that they’ve opened up several outposts around the city — the best being their sun-soaked corner in the Marais, where they serve galettes with aged Comte, Jambon de Paris, and onions decadently caramelized in cider. 

Le Bistrot Paul Bert

Bistros abound in Paris, but none hold a candle to Paul Bert . It’s as much about the food (perfect renditions of French classics, from steak au poivre to cheese soufflé) as it is the service (our waitress was both exasperated and energetic, a delightful combination). The portions are deeply satisfying, and the wine list covers classic producers as well as up-and-comers. As such, it’s quite popular, so be sure to call ahead to book a reservation. 

Le Cheval d’Or 

A lot is happening behind the famous red facade of this freshly revamped Chinese bistro , where foodies flock for superb stuffed duck à l’orange and invigorating flavor combinations, like red pepper and rhubarb pork belly, or tofu and caviar consommé. It’s tucked away in Jourdain, a part of the 19th arrondissement that few tourists will make the trek for, so the crowd skews local and gourmand. 

Le Relais de l'Entrecôte

With so many restaurants boasting ever-rotating menus of small plates, there’s something comforting about a bistro serving up steak frites day in and day out. Le Relais de l'Entrecôte is a classic, first opened in 1959 and serving the same set menu ever since: fresh green salad with walnuts and mustard vinaigrette, followed by tenderloin steak in a drool-inducing secret sauce plus homemade french fries. Frankly, it’s perfect. Go for Sunday brunch, and wash it all down with their organic house red wine from Gaillac.

L’Avant Comptoir de La Terre

Few things bring a smile to my face faster than a gallon of cornichons sidling up to a big bowl of butter. That’s the permanent tableaux at Yves Camdeborde’s narrow bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés , which sets my heart aflutter on every visit (no matter: a bowl of duck hearts is quick to fortify me). The meat-focused tapas menu is hearty, the wine list always has a few treasures, and best of all, it’s open on Sundays. 

Ambika Verma/Travel + Leisure

Paris is a delight to visit all year round, but if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, consider booking a trip during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall), when the droves of summer tourists have left and holiday travel hasn’t yet kicked up. Flights and accommodations tend to be more affordable during these seasons as well, although you can often find great winter flights outside of Christmas and New Year’s timing. 

Fall has always been my favorite time to go — locals are returning from summer vacation and the city’s energy is completely refreshed. Plus, the warmth tends to linger for a bit. Winter , while typically gray and chilly, is charming, with holiday markets serving mulled wine around the city. In spring, cherry blossoms and magnolias bloom all around the capital, giving whole new meaning to la vie en rose . Summer sees the largest influx of tourists, but also promises of sunny promenades along the Seine and elaborate picnics in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This summer will be an incredible opportunity to visit, as Paris will host the 2024 Olympic Games from July to August. 

The city’s two main international airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airport, offer easy and affordable access to Paris by public transit in under an hour. There are also plenty of taxis at the airport, and ride-share apps like Uber are popular.

Flights and accommodations are most pricey during summer and in December; I tend to fly with low-cost carrier French Bee , which is reliably comfortable and affordable (one-way flights start at just $189, plus there’s bottomless Champagne in their Premium class). 

Home to the city’s smaller Chinatown and two of its most spectacular parks, Belleville somehow has remained off the primary tourist circuit. It’s a local neighborhood, with a vibrant dining and nightlife scene. Come in the afternoon for a picnic and panoramic views in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont; stay for wine at Buttes Snack Bar and a big Laotian feast at the ultra-popular Lao Siam . Afterward, head to the famed Combat cocktail bar for a nightcap. 

Hike up to the city’s hilltop artist’s village for endless views over Paris, plus romantic hidden gardens, studio visits of famous French painters, and appointment-only vintage shopping. End the night by heading down the hill to the legendary Moulin Rouge to catch a cabaret show. 

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Art galleries, designer shops, and double-decker pharmacies full of discounted French beauty products abound in this chic and historic neighborhood, once the intellectual epicenter of the city. For culture, follow in Hemingway and Picasso’s footsteps at Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore; for retail therapy, head to Le Bon Marché , the city’s oldest (and most fabulous) department store. 

Paris is a walkable city — you’ll find yourself clocking 10,000 steps before noon most days. But if you’re heading all the way across town or just want to give your feet a break, the Métro is speedy and straightforward to use: You can purchase single-use tickets (though they are set to be phased out by 2025) or a refillable Navigo pass from an agent for longer stays. The bus network is also extensive and easy to navigate — the same tickets or Navigo pass work here, too. 

Taxis are fairly easy to come by in touristy areas, and ride-share apps like Uber work well here. Other reliable options include Bolt and G7 for reserving a taxi ahead of time.

Helpful apps to download include Le Fooding and Raisin for tracking down the best places to eat and drink, plus Google Translate , although by and large, the people in the service and hospitality industry will speak at least some English. To that point, don’t forget to say bonjour (hello) and merci ( thank you) — your effort will save you some trouble, promise.

Where to Go in 2024

Related articles.

11 free things to do in Paris

Jun 7, 2024 • 12 min read

From museums like the Petit Palais (pictured) to glorious sculpture-filled gardens, here are the best free things to do in Paris © Franck Legros / Shutterstock

Rooksana Hossenally is one of the authors of the new Lonely Planet Paris guidebook . Here she shares her suggestions for the best things to do in Paris that won't cost you a cent.  

Paris’  history and culture draws visitors from all over the world. Given that it's one of the world’s top 10 most expensive cities , you might think you’d need a huge budget to really make the most of it. But you'd be wrong.

Actually, plenty of Paris’ true magic lies in the free things to do that take you beneath its museum-like surface. You can meet the artists of indie-spirited Belleville, visit free museums like the Petit Palais and the Musée Bourdelle, or enjoy a free Seine river cruise on your birthday. For something more offbeat, explore the abandoned railway of La Petite Ceinture, a hidden urban oasis, or dance the night away at drag bingo. Read on to find out how to see Paris without breaking the bank.

1. Explore Paris from its abandoned railway

Explore Paris from below and up above on its abandoned railway, La Petite Ceinture, which snakes around inner Paris. A 30km (19-mile) stretch of green space, it’s full of history and some of the city’s best street art. Built over 150 years ago, this urban railway – now an overgrown refuge for wildlife like foxes, as well as a playground for graffiti artists and urban explorers – is being slowly reclaimed by the city to turn it into a promenade similar to New York’s High Line.

The railway fell out of use completely by 1993 after being replaced by the Paris metro network and motorised vehicles. Today, it serves as a green oasis, with community-led projects like Jardins du Ruisseau, aimed at transforming parts of the railway into community gardens, and La REcyclerie and Hasard Ludique, which are hybrid food and arts hubs inside the railway’s former stations.

Planning tip: Parts of the railway are closed to the public so, before setting off, have a look at the map of open sections to plan accordingly. The guide also features detailed itineraries for each section. 

Read more: How to navigate your way around Paris  

2. Brush up on your art history at the Petit Palais

Visiting the Petit Palais in Paris has to be on every art and history enthusiast’s list because its brilliant permanent collections, which span several centuries, are totally free. Built for the 1900 World Expo, the museum, with its opulent architecture, features a semicircular garden, a beautifully decorated arcade, and intricate details like wrought-iron gates, majestic staircases and stained-glass windows, which make it worth the visit alone.

The Petit Palais’ collections trace works from the classical world and the Middle Ages through to the art nouveau and impressionist periods, with masterpieces by Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro. There's also an impressive gallery showcasing 19th-century sculptures by artists such as Louis-Ernest Barrias and Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. There are regular (paying) temporary exhibitions that put a fresh spin on French history through art too. Make sure to keep some time aside for a snack or a coffee at the cafe in the museum’s circular central courtyard, laid out on a floor of blue-and-gold mosaic and surrounded by beautiful leafy gardens.

Planning tip: As with all museums in Paris, the Petit Palais gets quite crowded, so aim to go at opening time to get the huge spaces almost to yourself. Families with young children don’t have to queue – there is a dedicated entrance at the bottom of the stairs to the right. 

3. Travel back in time at these covered shopping arcades

Exploring Paris’ covered shopping arcades is a great way to see yet another side to the city and its unique history. These passages, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, are filled with quirky boutiques, old bookstores and places to eat. Despite most of these passages being demolished due to the rise of department stores, a handful have survived and are primarily located in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th arrondissements.

Read more:  Our guide to the 20 arrondissements of Paris

Notable passages include the ornate Passage du Grand Cerf, the Galerie Vivienne with its mosaic floor, and  Passage des Panoramas , the oldest arcade, known for its stamp shops and restaurants. Passage Choiseul has literary significance due to its association with writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline; Galerie Vero-Dodat is renowned for its antique stores; and Passage Brady, dubbed “Little India” for its South Asian eateries, should also be on your list. Each passage offers respite from the city bustle, making them perfect for a leisurely wander with or without children, come rain or shine.

Planning tip: There’s a smattering of great places to eat hidden in these arcades, including Canard et Champagne , Racines and Astair in the Passage des Panoramas, as well as Caves Legrand in Galerie Vivienne. 

4. Swap blockbuster museums for crowd-free art galleries

If you're looking for a fresh, crowd-free way to dive into Paris’ rich art scene, gallery-hopping is where it's at. Forget the packed museums – Paris has over 1000 contemporary art galleries, each offering revolving shows of the biggest artists and up-and-coming talent for free. Wander through the Marais, Belleville, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and even the north-east of Île-de-France, and you'll discover everything from cutting-edge contemporary works to street art.

The Marais probably has the highest concentration of galleries, including must-see Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Thaddeus Ropac (also check out their space in Pantin), Marian Goodman, Nathalie Obadia, Continua, Xippas, and Almine Rech, among many others. For photography buffs, Polka is the place to be, especially on exhibition opening nights when they showcase some of the world's top photographers, including Sebastião Salgado. Belleville also brims with over 150 artists who welcome visitors to their studios every May for the Bellville Artists' Open Studios event. Whether you're a connoisseur or just love to bask in the art world, these galleries are your ticket to a more laid-back look into Paris’ art scene without having to brave the queues and crowds of the big museums.

Planning tip: The best way to explore the city’s art galleries is with guide Alexandra Weinress, who organises bespoke art walks  – as compact or detailed as you like – in both English and French.

6. Wander a garden of sculptures in an artist’s home

Nope, it’s not Auguste Rodin, but his assistant, Antoine Bourdelle. Later in his life, Bourdelle was a teacher to Giacometti, and was a pioneering sculptor in his own right. His dramatic, expressive works bridged the gap between classical and modern art, and he significantly influenced early-20th-century sculpture with his innovative techniques and bold forms. The artist's former atelier and residence have been turned into the  Musée Bourdelle , one of the most charming little museums in Paris.

Hidden in a side street just steps from busy Montparnasse station, Bourdelle's monumental bronze masterpieces are scattered around the quiet gardens that wrap around several workshop and exhibition spaces. One of the former workshops is now a minimalistic cafe with art deco accents – it's named Rhodia after the artist’s daughter, who also lived here. Tables are laid out in the shadows on a big terrace in summer as well as inside a lemon-yellow dining room, where you can lunch on ceviche and empanadas made by Latin American restaurant ISANA .

Planning tip: The museum is closed on Mondays and last entry is at 5:40pm. While you're in the area, climb up Montparnasse Tower – it's possibly the ugliest building in the city but it has the most magnificent 360-degree views of Paris. You’re also a seven-minute walk to the great-value, historic French restaurant Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse , with art nouveau interiors dating back to 1903.

5. Take a Seine river cruise on your birthday

While a cruise on the Seine might get a few eyerolls from locals or frequent visitors, it’s a truly special way to see the city, no matter how many times you’ve been. Trips vary from simple guided tours to floating dinner cruises and parties, and you usually have to pay for the experience. But if it's your birthday, the Vedettes de Paris company gifts you an hour-long guided cruise on the Seine free of charge. So grab your passport (as proof of your birthday) and head the office at the port, which is by the Eiffel Tower. You can choose between listening to the tour guide in English or French, or you can grab an audio guide with a wider variety of languages. You'll putter along the glittering water and past some of the city’s most remarkable landmarks, from the Grand Dame to the Musée D’Orsay and Notre Dame, and then back to the Eiffel Tower.

Planning tip: It’s not possible to book ahead, so you have to show up on the day (until 6:30pm). You can bring up to two guests but only the person whose birthday it is gets a free ticket.  

7. Get lost in St-Ouen’s maze of flea markets

The Puces de St-Ouen is a must-visit spot, especially if you love a good treasure hunt. Hailed as one of the largest markets in the world, this sprawling bazaar just outside the city’s northern edge is a vintage-lover’s dream. Imagine winding through a maze of over 15 markets totalling about 2500 stalls and shops, each packed with everything from retro furniture and vintage clothing to rare antiques and quirky collectibles. A wooden spiral staircase from an old French mansion, anyone?

What makes the Puces de St-Ouen so special is the lively, eclectic vibe; it’s like stepping into a different world where you can chat with passionate vendors, stumble upon unusual items, and soak up the bohemian atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just love to browse, this place offers a fascinating glimpse into Parisian culture and history. You’ll leave with more than just a few fabulous finds.

Planning tip: The best time to go is on Saturday morning from 10am to really see the market in full swing. Half the fun is discovering a spot to eat, either hidden in the markets or on the main artery rue des Rosiers (the one in St-Ouen, not the Marais, for GPS users). My favourite is Le Coq d’Or , which has been serving excellent couscous for years. 

8. Dance the night away at a mini club with cutting-edge acts

Like any capital city, Paris brims with nightlife venues, each one more expensive than the last – unless you know where to go. If you’re on a tight budget and prefer not to have to splurge on entrance fees, then try Supersonic and Panic Room , both in Bastille. Not only are they totally free to get into, but they host emerging bands and performers, giving them an edge you don’t usually get in run-of-the-mill nightclubs. At Panic Room (open Wednesday to Saturday), there’s a bar upstairs, while the nightclub is in the basement. There’s a happy hour from 7–10pm with €7 cocktails and €4.50 pints of Bud. Over at the equally industrial-looking Supersonic (open Sunday to Thursday), the rock gigs or DJ nights are free to get into before 11pm.

9. Do a digital detox at a library that’s not just for literary buffs

Tiptoeing inside the stillness of the Oval Room at the Richelieu site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF), which was finished in 1932, is like finding a portal to the past. Shelves all the way up to the oval glass ceiling are stacked with over 20,000 books (many of which date back centuries) and 9000 comic books, all of which are available to all visitors. From ancient scrolls to modern classics, it's a bibliophile's paradise. Whether you're a history buff, a literature lover, or just someone looking for a cosy corner to get lost in a good book, this is the place to come. Grab a seat and soak in the magic.

Planning tip: The Oval Room is free and open to all visitors (closed Sundays). It’s located in the beautiful, historic neighbourhood of the Jardins du Palais Royal, which is worth a wander for the gardens and the old boutiques tucked in the arches. 

10. Dabble in a spot of drag bingo

What could possibly add more cheer to a Sunday evening than a bit of free drag bingo ? Every week at the Parc de la Villette , a flamboyant cast of queens leads you on a cheeky three-hour extravaganza of fun, top-notch pop and dance. It’s probably a good idea to have some grasp of French if you want to join in on the laughs or have a chance to win. Locals don’t come here for the prizes, though (an old Tarantino DVD, if you’re lucky), but for an atmosphere that’s the perfect remedy to Sunday blues. The show starts at 6pm, but get there at 5pm for a good seat.

11. Find out why the Château de Versailles is more than a palace

The  Château de Versailles isn't just a palace, it's a whole vibe. From the gilded-furniture-filled Hall of Mirrors, where kings once held court and raucous parties, to the meticulously manicured gardens with elaborate fountains, to Marie-Antoinette’s private hamlet far from Louis XVI’s watchful eye, every corner of Versailles tells a story.

Built in the 1600s, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and over 15 million people visit each year, making it one of the most popular attractions in the world. The gardens are free to visit all year round and the whole palace estate is completely free on the first Sunday of each month from November to March. Get there early as the queues can be long.

Planning tip: The suburb of Versailles , a 45-minute journey out of Paris city center, is known for being just as expensive as the capital, so make sure to buy something to eat at a bakery before arriving, which you can enjoy on the lawns in the warmer months. To take in the whole palace, set aside at least half a day.

Keep planning your trip to Paris:

• Explore beyond Paris with these day trips
• Check out these budget-friendly tips before you book
• Find the best time to visit Paris for your perfect vacation

This article was first published Jun 23, 2019 and updated Jun 7, 2024.

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THE 10 BEST Places to Go Shopping in Paris

Shopping in paris.

• Gift & Speciality Shops
• Art Galleries
• Shopping Tours
• Flea & Street Markets
• Fashion Shows & Tours
• Antique Stores
• Shopping Malls
• Department Stores
• Farmers Markets
• Factory Outlets
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 6th Arr. - Luxembourg
• Opéra / Bourse
• 4th Arr. - Hôtel-de-Ville
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

2. Shakespeare And Company

Recommended Shopping & Fashion Experiences (50)

3. Bastille Market

4. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

5. Mouffetard Market

6. Rue Cler

7. Marché Aligre

8. Galerie Vivienne

9. Dalí Paris

10. Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves

11. Printemps

12. Marché Maubert

13. Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges

14. Marché Monge

15. Laurence Esnol Gallery

16. Samaritaine

17. Marché Saint Quentin

18. Rue Poncelet Market

19. Marché de Saxe-Breteuil

20. Marche Buci

21. Rue de Levis

22. Pigment Gallery

23. Daguerre Maree

24. Galerie Univer / Colette Colla

25. Marché aux fleurs - Ile de la Cité

26. French Arts Factory

27. Le BHV Marais

28. Le Village Suisse

29. L'ile Aux Images

30. La Grande Epicerie de Paris Rive Gauche

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The 15 best brunches in Paris

Brunch time, baby! The best brunch spots in Paris can sort you out for pâtisserie, shakshuka, pancakes and more

You know it as well as we do: if you’re looking to live out your Parisian main character dreams, you have to get brunch in Paris . And it’s every part as fabulous as you can imagine; find eggs, smoked salmon, avocado, delicious coffee and sweet granola bowls, all with a mimosa or two to wash it all down with. 

You’re never short of options in Paris, but we’re here to help you avoid the gimmicky spots and the tourist traps (and save a bit of dough in the process). The team over at Time Out Paris have been sampling brunch spots in the city for so long, they can spot a good egg from a mile away – and all their favourites are right here. These are the best brunches in Paris. 

RECOMMENDED: 🥞 The best places for breakfast (not brunch) in Paris 🥘 The best restaurants in Paris 🎨 The best things to do in Paris 🏨 The best hotels in Paris

This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris . At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

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Brunch spots in Paris

1.  P1 Bouche

The brunch annex of the superb bakery Atelier P1 has won over all the thirty-somethings in the neighborhood with its warm decor of light wood, whitewashed walls, and a spacious open kitchen. But above all, with delicious plates and pastries, from loaded toast to melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls. 

2.  Aube

This bright bistro on the rue de la Main-d'Or has something of a cult following, and for good reason. Currently Aube  only serves brunch on the weekends, but the team are hoping to extend it to weekdays soon enough. Its menu is fresh, largely vegetarian dishes: chicken-free Caesar salad, almond and garlic gazpacho, homemade granola, and filter coffee from Mick's. Our favourite brunch spot in the city.

3.  Cali Uptown

At Cali Uptown , you’ll find a sandy-colored fabric ceiling, a large counter encircled with aluminum and diner-style booths, a palm tree and plastic cacti. In this Palm Springs-style café, you can grab brunch all week until 4pm with avocado toast, mascarpone waffles or homemade granola. To drink? Mimosas, turmeric lattes and green juices, like the Hulk; apple, spinach, and cucumber. Sure to cure any hangover (maybe). 

4.  Holybelly 5

• 10e arrondissement

High five for HB5! This spacious spot has 100 seats for hungry guests, and plenty of light thanks to its magnificent glass roof.  Don't miss the Sweet Stack (€13.50), a trio of pancakes with seasonal fruit, cream, roasted hazelnuts and organic maple syrup. Or the eggs (fried, fried or scrambled), served with smoked bacon, organic rustic bread and Lescure butter. 

5.  Boulom

Boulom is a three-in-one spot: a restaurant, bakery and yes, a hidden cocktail bar. The brainchild of Julien Duboué, this large, bright room boasts a monumental buffet, surrounded by long tables under a cheerful green ceiling. Head to the all-you-can-eat buffet at weekends – it's  €49, but it's bloody worth it . We're talking black pudding terrine, eggs and mimosas, all like you've never seen them before. Oh, and look out for the dessert stand.

6.  Gramme 3

With its cream-coloured interiors, vintage decor and entirely home-cooked dishes made from well-sourced and good-quality ingredients, Gramme 3 is something special. Go à la carte with an array of carrot cakes, cookies, chocolate cakes and scones, and try the super ‘banh mi dog’ (€12.50), a twist on the Vietnamese snack, with meat from Châteauneuf, pickled vegetables from Halles Trottemant and green mayo with coriander, all tucked into a soft hot dog bun from Petit Grain. There’s also artisanal juices (€3.50-5), good filter coffee (€3.50) and teas from Kodama (€4.50).

7.  Ima Cantine

Get whisked away to Tel Aviv with moreish vegetarian mezze   and brunch served daily at Ima Cantine . Coffees are from the Brûlerie de Belleville, and food ranges from salads and shakshuka to pancakes and poached eggs – all, we can confirm, are very delicious.

8.  L'Entente Le British Brasserie

Super cosy, almost bourgeois, this spot immediately soothes you. A setting reminiscent of an English club, at L'Entente , blues play softly in the background and impeccably dressed staff serve up British classics. But forget little pots of wobbly fluorescent jelly – this menu is the good bits of its cuisine. Try the full English; fried eggs, sausage, Gascon pork bacon, mushrooms and tomato with optional homemade black pudding. Or opt for sweet; the apricot pavlova is superb, but you can’t beat a selection of cheddar and Lancashire cheeses on good rye bread. 

9.  Echo

Echo is known for its brilliant à la carte brunch with impressive gluten and dairy-free options. From scrambled eggs on chunky toasted brioche to multi-grain pancakes served with seasonal fruits, the menu brims with moreish L.A.-style dishes done right. We like the oozing, indulgent Caramelised Grilled Cheese and the gluten-free pancakes. 

10.  Tawlet

In a two-story room with raw concrete floors and walls  – part grocery store, part arty floor with vintage lighting  –  you’ll find Tawlet ’s hearty buffet showcasing the best of Lebanese cuisine. It’s not cheap ( €39 for all-you-can-eat) , but the payoff is worth it: broad beans in lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil; grilled potatoes with zaatar; huge slices of halloumi cheese with tomato jam; crunchy tabbouleh; loubieh bi’zeit (green beans in oil), hummus, and spinach turnovers; ultra-melting knafeh with angel hair pastry... we could go on!

11.  Café Singuliers

Café Singuliers ticks all the boxes; light wood, herringbone parquet flooring, a bookstore-grocery corner, and a spectacular 1953 De Dietrich stove. Build your own brunch from the menu: a coffee or tea, homemade granola, comforting pastries (scones served warm, pear financiers, or freshly baked morning cookies), and a few savoury dishes like Shakshuka. 

12.  Maafim

This Levantine spot serves up falafel, shakshuka, and the likes of scrambled egg with salmon on brioche with zaatar. Exposed beams, light wood slats and speckled tiles make Maafim  a seriously special brunch spot (but the lunch is ace too). 

13.  Café Mirabelle

If you don’t know your Alsatian cuisine, now’s your chance. Café Mirabelle ’s weekend brunch (€29) is, frankly, enormous, and includes your only-to-be-expected fresh juice and granola, alongside more unusual choices like scrambled eggs with pork jowl, fig pavlova and a plum Bettelman bread pudding.

14.  Bob's Bake Shop

• 5 out of 5 stars
• La Chapelle
• price 2 of 4
• Recommended

In Anglophone countries, patisseries mean France. Here, for once, the reverse is true. Following on from the wildly popular Bob's Kitchen and Bob's Cold Press , Bob's Bake Shop extends the winning formula to baked goods, and bagels in particular. The (excellent) coffee may be locally produced, but the shop channels the same yuppified American vibe as its sister venues. Everything, from the the scrumptious pies to the bagels themselves, is baked onsite, and served with the freshest veggie ingredients. As always, quality comes with a price, and with bagels clocking in at €8 and fruit juices at €5 your wallet will take a harder hit than your stomach. If you want to get your money's worth, repair to one of the large wooden tables outside and take your time watching the crowds go by on the Rue Nathalie Sarraute.

15.  Le Hasard Ludique

• Things to do
• 18e arrondissement

The former Saint-Ouen train station built in 1889 was renovated by three young Parisians. Beginning as a collaborative crowd-funding project, Le Hasard Ludique has seen 1,200 ‘builders’ and volunteers helping with each stage of the construction and their know-how to create a yearly super-festival. The result is a real hybrid, featuring a restaurant, 300-seat concert hall, and a practising collective workshop. All in all, the perfect place for brunch in spring and summer.

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Porto’s Majestic Café One of the Best Coffee Shops in Europe

Finding a great coffee shop is something worth celebrating for a true coffee head, and those who visit Porto may have to check this one out. A recently released list of The 50 Best Coffee Shops in Europe by renowned Big 7 Travel site has ranked some of the best coffee joints in the region. Majestic Café in Porto makes the list at an impressive 9 th position.

To come up with the list, Big 7 Travel gathered recommendations from its social audience and editorial team all over Europe. The criteria considered included rating the quality of the coffee, variety, unique menu items, barista experience, sustainability, atmosphere and customer experience.

Majestic Café is a famous joint on Rua Santa Catarina in Porto, with impressive, 18 th – century art nouveau  architecture and, of course, good coffee. The history is just as rich, as this was a meeting place for renowned figures in Portuguese arts and culture. Its interior boasts intricate details, ornate carvings, chandeliers, and an overall by-gone era charm. Popular on the menu is francesinha, a local sandwich to go with the coffee. Many rave about the overall ambience and historical charm. This opulent café is often busy especially at peak hours, and that is not surprising at all.

Topping the list is Gran Caffe Gambrinus in Naples, Italy. The rest of the top 10 are Caravan Coffee Roasters (London), Drop Coffee (Stockholm), Ozone Coffee Roasters (London), Coffeewerk + Press (Galway), The Barn (Berlin), Good Life Coffee Roasters (Helsinki), Toma Café (Madrid), Majestic Café (Porto), and Tim Wendelboe (Oslo) in that order.

Budapest Tops Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Destination List

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

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Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

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Marriott Bonvoy™ Credit Cards

• 01 Overview
• 02 Area Guide
• 04 Itineraries
• 06 More Destinations

Explore Paris

The First Arrondissement

The Golden Triangle

The Left Bank

Les Grands Boulevards

Museums, Restaurants, Parks

Museums, Coffee Shops, Shopping, Dining

Luxury Shopping, Sightseeing, Hotels

Museums, Great Strolls, Classic Views, Gardens

Stay in the Center of it All

Immerse yourself in your destination at these centrally located hotels.

While Away a Weekend in Paris, the City of Lights

Seek Out the Best Views

Start up north on the hill of Montmartre for your first day taking in the city’s grandest views, avenues,and iconic cultural institutions. By the end of the day, make your way down toward the river just in time to see the sun dip beneath the horizon. 

Follow the River

You’ve gone north to south, now explore the sections of the city that bookend the Seine river, east to west. Hop between riverbanks to dine alfresco, tour the Musée d’Orsay — one of the world’s most beloved temples of Impressionist art — and finish out the night on a floating barge that doubles as one of the most popular bars on the Left Bank. 

Visit the Musée Carnavalet (and More)

What might a local eat and see on the Right Bank on a Sunday? Find out on your last day by beginning with breakfast near the oldest planned square in Paris and diving into the history of the city in the freshly renovated Musée Carnavalet. Venture along another Parisian waterway, sip coffee with Canal Saint-Martin devotees and end the day with a cold craft beer overlooking the Bassin de la Villette. 

Experience More, Spend Less

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