The best places for shopping in Paris
Whether you are interested in sourcing antique silver for your kitchen or a dialing up your skincare routine with coveted French beauty products, you’re sure to find the shop for you somewhere in the Paris’s 20 arrondissements. Read on for our can’t-miss shopping experiences in the City of Lights.
Ah, Paris. The City of Light. No trip is complete without a croissant-filled morning at a cozy corner café and a sunset cruise along the Seine. But how to fill those hours in between? May we suggest adding shopping in Paris to your to-do list.
In a city steeped in design and all things a la mode, take time out of your guided tour to browse through some of the most enchanting boutiques, markets, and neighborhood stores in the world. Whether you’re interested in sourcing antique silver for your kitchen or dialing up your skincare routine with coveted French beauty products, you’re sure to find the shop for you somewhere in the city’s 20 arrondissements. Read on for our can’t-miss places to go shopping in Paris.
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen
Looking to take a piece of Paris with you when you go? Visit the city’s legendary flea market, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. It’s one of the oldest and largest flea markets in the world, with over 1,700 separate merchants selling home goods, vintage accessories, antique books, artwork, and just about anything else you could think of coveting from a past century. While the market’s expanses are far too much to cover in one day, wandering through the winding rows of vendors selling their wares is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Pick up a piece of Parisian history to bring home with you, or simply appreciate the curated selection from each seller.
Pro tip: Check your calendar before you head out to peruse the stalls while you’re shopping in Paris—this market is only open Saturday through Monday, so plan accordingly.
Librairie Gourmande
In a city known for its cooking, there is of course a shopping spot for the curious chef. Librairie Gourmande holds a treasure trove of cookbooks, ranging from ancient food practices to cutting-edge modern techniques, and everything in between. Find the recipes that inspired legendary chef Julia Child. Learn how to master the five French mother sauces (can you name them?), and flip through the pages of cookbooks well-loved for decades (or centuries in some cases!).
Pro tip: Be sure to greet the shopkeeper when you enter the store—or any shop or restaurant in France, for that matter! It’s one of the unspoken French customs to know before you go.
Any corner pharmacy
As places to shop in Paris go, the corner pharmacy is one of the most underrated spots. Marked by a green-lit cross hanging over the sidewalk, these pharmacies are much more than a place to pick up cough medicine. Step through the door, and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of some of the most effective (and reasonably priced!) skincare products in the world.
Cult favorites, like the gentle facial moisturizer Embryolisse Lait-Crème, are available here for a fraction of the price of high-end skincare products in the U.S.—and they’re often more effective! Looking for the makeup remover professional makeup artists covet? Pick up Bioderma Sensibio H20, a micellar water that removes makeup and instantly refreshes the face. You’ll also find Klorane dry shampoo as well as NUXE body oils and lip balms calling your name here. The last two products are finally creeping into the U.S. market, thanks to American travelers like you shopping in Paris.
Place Vendôme
Hoping to purchase an investment piece to celebrate your trip to Paris? Stroll along the Tuileries and turn onto Rue de Castiglione to reach the Place Vendôme. This square opens up to reveal some of the most luxurious storefronts in the world, and its surrounding streets are the places to go shopping in Paris. Step inside Louis Vuitton’s massive flagship shop, or check out the high-fashion Isabel Marant store around the corner. Once you snag that perfect bag, dress, or necklace, tuck into one of the hotel bars nearby and toast to your fashion investment.