The City of Lights is world-famous as one of the prime shopping destinations in the world. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Paris, it would be a shame to not spend some time visiting the trendy, unique, and luxurious stores dotted around the city.
If you need a shopping companion and translator, why not contact one of our experienced Parisian guides to show you around all the best spots? In this article we'll take a look at five of the best shopping spots in the city so you can start planning your excursion.
Les Halles
With its striking canopy and central location, Les Halles is one of the most popular shopping venues in Paris, and the second most visited mall in the city. Like most places in Paris, the site has a rich history which spans the centuries, even though its modern visage might not make this too obvious.
Able to trace its roots as a space for commerce all the way back to the 11th century, Les Halles started as a dry goods market. In later centuries, the site played host to several iconic buildings, including the famous glass and iron structures designed by Victor Baltard that housed the market for years. Later on, the site underwent several renovations, eventually taking on the modern form we see today - the Westfield Les Halles mall.
The massive shopping center hosts several interesting stores, from brand name giants such as H&M to cosmetic shops such as Sephora and Marionnaud. Specialized leather goods stores can also be found here, as well as a collection of premium shoe stores, including André, Eram, and Minelli. Sticking with its luxurious reputation, many Parisian jewelry stores are also available, including Histoire d’Or and Agatha. The center hosts shops that cater to a wide variety of tastes and budgets, meaning you’ll be able to browse away to your heart’s desire. The mall is also centrally located, and connected directly to the Paris metro.
Boulevard Saint Germain
If you’re in the mood for a more outdoor shopping experience, consider heading to the Boulevard Saint Germain. This major street stretches for approximately 3.5 km and contains an abundance of restaurants, cafés, and of course premium shopping destinations.
The Boulevard was constructed in the mid 1800s and takes its name from the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The area is famous as the home of the philosophical theory of existentialism and the headquarters of the Société de Géographie, the oldest geographical society in the world. Today visitors can enjoy the vibrant nightlife and cafés that dot the boulevard, as well as many high-end shopping locations including giants such as Armani and Rykiel. If you’re looking for a more intellectually stimulating shopping experience, many old bookshops specializing in rare and classic literature can also be found here.
Additionally, many fashion boutiques and home decor stores are around, joined by a collection of gourmet restaurants. The Le Bon Marché shopping center is also available for a more indoor shopping experience, although many would contend that the true allure of the boulevard comes from leisurely strolls and window shopping. You can reach it via Line 4 of the Paris metro, stopping at the aptly named Metro Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Line 10 to station Sèvres-Babylone.
Le Marais
Spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris, Le Marais is a historic neighborhood, long known as a hub of the aristocracy. These days, however, many attractions, shops, and restaurants can be found here. The history of this area dates back to the 11th century with the building of a fortified church by the Order of the Temple. Over the centuries, it served as the home of many religious orders, and later as a trendy venue for Parisian aristocrats to build their mansions in.
After the French Revolution, the nobility abandoned the district, although it still keeps that reputation, today hosting several upscale hotels refurbished out of old aristocratic mansions. Today, the district houses many high fashion boutiques and other high class stores. In the Marais quarter one can find cafés, antique, jewelry, cosmetic, and art boutiques, including Diptyque, COS, and Mariage Frères (a notable home of French tea). One can also find a plethora of designer fashion in the area, including famous stores such as Merci.
With the help of one of our professional guides, you can experience all that Le Marais has to offer with a guided tour, including all its finest artistic and fashion-centric storefronts. The area is also well known for its vibrant nightlife, with many bars and clubs, allowing visitors to enjoy Paris after the sun sets to its full.
Galeries Lafayette
For the hardcore shopping fanatics, how does visiting the biggest department store chain in Europe sound? Well, if that sounds like something you’d be into, why not visit the Galeries Lafayette? Tracing its history back to 1895 when Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn created a small clothing shop, it eventually evolved into one of the mainstay shopping locations of both Paris and France in general.
In the Galeries Lafayette you can find almost anything you’re looking for, from budget to luxury brand goods. Various varieties of cosmetic, jewelry, and fashion stores can be found here, in addition to over 20 amazing restaurants. The interior of the building itself also makes for a breathtaking experience, with its beautiful atrium, glass domes, and Art Nouveau staircases. For the fashion aficionados, one can also enjoy the weekly fashion shows hosted here.
Triangle d'Or
The Triangle d'Or, or, ‘Golden Triangle’ is a section of Paris between the Champs-Elysées, avenue George V, and avenue Montaigne that is home to a wide variety of unique and interesting shopping and dining experiences. Here, one can not only enjoy some astounding and elegant architectural masterpieces, but also some of the most exclusive luxury shopping locations in the City of Lights.
Some of the stores that you can visit include famous brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Prada, Dior, and many more. One can also find some of the most amazing jewelry stores here, as well as premium perfume and accessory stores. The numerous trendy and luxurious shops in the Golden Triangle makes it a dream visit for any fashion-centric person, and as a bonus you can grab a delicious meal at one of the cafés or restaurants which line the avenues. Since it’s also close to landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, it’s a great venue for a detour during any Paris trip.
Conclusion
Paris is without a doubt one of the most amazing shopping destinations not only in Western Europe, but in the world. Here you can find the roots of many of the most popular luxury brands globally, as well as unique and special exclusive stores. Any fashion aficionado will no doubt have a blast shopping here, but bookworms and antique lovers can also find many amazing gems during their shopping escapades.
If you really want to ensure that you find all the stores that cater to your particular tastes, we recommend hiring one of our Parisian private guides. Our guides know the city like the back of their hand, meaning they’ll be able to guide you to all the greatest shopping destinations in the city without fail.
