The shopping experience in Paris is unparalleled. What else can you expect from one of the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world? Haute couture brand stores, hip boutiques, concept pop-ups, vintage shops, historic department stores, flea markets, artisanal workshops – you name it. From upscale to budget and from ultra-exclusive to accessible, the French capital can satisfy all shopping cravings. You just need to know where to go. In my extensive experience visiting the City of Lights, focusing is key to hassle-free browsing and finding your thing to buy. That’s why I’ve organized the best places for shopping in Paris by district to serve as guidance.
The Golden Triangle
Avenues des Champs-Élysées, George V, and Montaigne form one of the most well-known luxury shopping districts in the world, the legendary Golden Triangle (Triangle D’or in French). It is here that you find a kaleidoscope of high-end fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain, Dior, Chanel, and many more. For the majority of them, the Golden Triangle was the first address ever, so you’ve got historical value, too, here. It’s a go-to area if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind fashion experiences, the best restaurants in town, and the most coveted five-star hotels to stay in (like Bvlgari and Four Seasons).
Don’t Miss: Browsing the department store Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées.
Haussmann - Opéra - Saint-Lazare
Paris hasn’t become the world-renowned center of shopping overnight. It has been building its reputation for centuries. This city always appreciated the aesthetic browsing and treated department stores with the same respect as cathedrals and palaces. Haussmann – Opéra – Saint-Lazare district is among the best places for shopping in Paris, where you can find Old World malls, intricate passages, and spectacular window displays. Opened in 1912, boasting a gorgeous domed roof and hosting a wide array of stores, Galeries Lafayette is an absolute must-visit, especially for holiday shopping. Steps away, you can find another well-regarded luxury-focused mall called Printemps. Craving more? Passage du Havre shopping gallery is full of popular retailers.
Don’t Miss: The historic covered passages like Passage Verdeau and Passage des Panoramas.
Montmartre
Bohemian to the core, Montmartre has long been a draw for painters, artists, and artisans who embraced its picturesque and romantic setting and inspiring ambiance. While the tranquility of the yesteryears is not to be found in the tourist-heavy district today, it’s still a perfect place for shopping in Paris. You find many cute boutiques of up-and-coming French designers (Mademoiselle Pimpante, Ekyog, Maje), artisanal jewelry (Les Néréides, Emmanuelle Zysman, Amira Sliman), and snug antique stores (L’Objet Qui Parle, De L’Autre Côté De La Butte). Even if you’re not buying anything, a stroll around Montmartre is always a treat for the senses.
Don’t Miss: Instead of buying low-quality souvenirs, tour the concept stores of Montmartre and choose a truly unique handmade Parisian object to take home.
Le Marais
You know the shopping district is good when it’s possible to have a separate guide for different single streets. The pretty Marais is packed with stores. It is famous for small independent boutiques, and the variety is truly impressive. It’s an ideal neighborhood to lose yourself while browsing or on a shopping spree. The concept spaces of well-known fashion houses (Karl Lagerfeld) neighbor compact stores of rising star designers (ZOE LEE, Bensimon), the tiny galleries (Carré d’artistes, KINOR, Pigment) stand next to the quaint cafes, and there are many candy stores too. It’s the ultimate neighborhood to get inspired. Le BHV Marais is a departement store to check out.
Don’t Miss: Le Marais is famous for its artisanal chocolate stores like Edwart, Elisabeth, and Damyel.
Rue de Passy
Paris has perfected the concept of the shopping street. Rue de Passy, in the heart of the fashionable 16th arrondissement, is among the most famous ones. Filled with popular brand stores, smaller boutiques, gastronomic joints, and accessory shops, it’s a quintessential French browsing experience. Stroll from shop to shop unhurriedly enjoying the Haussmannian architecture along the way, make a stop at Passy Plaza Mall, and make an obligatory stop at La Grande Épicerie de Paris, which sells a wide range of excellent French cheeses, wines, and fresh food.
Don’t Miss: Don’t overlook the backstreets like Rue Guichard and Rue Jean Bologne with its independent fashion brands and artisanal shops.
Palais Royal
This is not your regular shopping arcade. Palais Royal is a unique complex that combines the stunning 17th-century architecture of a former palace built by Richelieu with a multipurpose space that houses stores, state agencies, and galleries. The Daniel Buren-created columns art installation graces the vast courtyard, there’s a large garden behind the palace, and the legendary theatre La Comédie Française occupies one of its wings. It’s a must-have Parisian experience, and the shopping arcades have been showcasing luxury goods here since the 18th century. Rick Owens and Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin, Maje and Kitsuné are all present here.
Don’t Miss: Café Kitsuné offers the perfect setting for chic coffee drinking, and Le Grand Véfour is an iconic upscale restaurant with high-end dining.
Left Bank and Saint-Germain des Prés
A cradle of intellectuals, writers, and jazz music lovers, the Left Bank-located Saint-Germain des Prés is also one of the top places to shop in Paris. Start your exploration from the iconic Le Bon Marché that opened its doors in the distant 1838 and became a prototype of all modern department stores. It boasts gorgeous interiors, has lots of luxury brands to browse, and comes with typical French restaurants and cafes. La Grande Épicerie across the street is for gourmet groceries and deli-style eating. And definitely take a walk along the leafy Boulevard Saint-Germain for haute couture boutiques, concept stores, and decoration shops.
Don’t Miss: Lutetia near Le Bon Marché is a renovated Art Deco gem with creative cuisine and drinks.
Canal Saint-Martin
A mecca for lovers of all things vintage and antique and one of the best places to people watch, the area around Canal Saint-Martin is to be explored. Artazart and Philippe le Libraire are great bookstores right next to the scenic canal. Be sure to visit the Limousine, PARIS, PARIS, Thanx God I’m a V.I.P., and Moujik for the creme-de-la-creme of vintage clothing à la parisienne. And don’t miss the Rue Beaurepaire, where basically every building houses some sort of clothing boutique or a concept store.
Don’t Miss: Breizh Café Canal Saint-Martin is the perfect creperie overlooking the calm waters of Canal Saint-Martin.
Paris Saint-Ouen
Did you know that Paris has the largest flea market in the world? Now that’s a true paradise for antique hunters and vintage aficionados. Les Puces (the French name for “flea market”) covers 7 hectares, is comprised of several streets, is frequented by hundreds of thousands weekly, and has numerous vendors selling virtually everything. You’re guaranteed to get lost here; it’s a labyrinth of stalls, shops, garages-turned-stores, and street sellers that is part Moroccan souk, part Old World-reminiscent Parisian shopping experience.
Don’t Miss: Staying vigilant – you’ll want to pay extra caution to your belonging while visiting Saint-Ouen, as it tends to get super crowded.
