The Best Places to Shop in Paris
Whether you’re crazy for haute couture or a fan of farmers’ markets, Paris offers some of the best shopping in the world. The city is bursting with cool concept stores, small designer boutiques, eco-friendly artisans, and centuries-old establishments. You can find everything here, if you know where to look. Our recommendations for retail therapy cover it all, from where to get fine foods and French pastries — did someone say macarons? — to Made-in-France fashions and beauty products. Here are the best places to shop in Paris like a local.
Gourmet Foods
One of our favorite things about living in Paris is all of the excellent food, and we don’t just mean in restaurants. Speciality food shops sell all the French staples, both sweet and savory.
We’ve taste-tested around town and we’re sharing our selection with you so you know where to find the best bread, cheese, wine, and more along with the top places for pastries and chocolates. Fellow food lovers, here’s where to do your shopping in Paris like a local.
-
Guided Tours, Gastronomic Experiences, ExperiencesPastry Tour of Le MaraisLe Marais is arguably the hippest neighborhood in Paris. While some may say that there are too many fashionistas, bobos, and tourists in the area, the charming cobblestone streets and vibrant atmosphere just can’t be beat. But Le Marais isn’t just about appearances. Local guides Nikki and Frederi…
-
Gastronomic Experiences, ExperiencesFrench Caviar TastingThe caviar you are about to discover is produced in the Dordogne region to the rhythms of the seasons and the life of sturgeons. This product of excellence, based on the valorization of a unique land and on innovative production techniques, is the reflection of impeccable standards. Research inno…
-
Experiences, Gastronomic ExperiencesWine & Cheese PairingThis experience is an excellent opportunity for people who want to have a light introduction to French wines and discover how to pair them perfectly with French cheeses. You’ll get all the basic information you need to know about wine in France, including proper terminology, proper wine ta…
-
Experiences, Gastronomic ExperiencesMarket to Table Tour & Cooking ClassJoin American expat chef and cook book author Alisa of Sweet Pea Paris, for an authentically Parisian experience. You’ll start your adventure by following Alisa to one of Paris’s best marchés (fresh food markets), where you’ll tour the stalls, meet the merchants, discover local products, a…
-
Gastronomic Experiences, ExperiencesFrench Wine Tasting in ParisThis is the main session of Wine Tasting in Paris. It will take you on a road trip straight into the heart of French wine country. This tasting is perfect if you want to have a broader understanding and a global view of French wines. A veritable feast of wines will be awaiting you at each sto…
-
Experiences, Gastronomic ExperiencesCafé Gourmand Cooking ClassThis baking class is all about exploring the thoroughly brilliant Parisian concoction – Le Café Gourmand – a wonderful coupling of a good Espresso, a pousse-café* and miniature versions of four or five French pastries. It’s a small, extravagant luxury – go on, treat yourself! *Pousse-café – a li…
-
Gastronomic Experiences, ExperiencesChampagne & Choux Baking ClassPâte à Choux or Choux pastry dough is what is used in making so many sexy French treats… Éclairs, Gougères (savory cheese puffs), Choux Salé, Chouquettes, Profiteroles (sweet cream puffs), Saint Honoré-Piece Monté (aka Croquembouche)…
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
What better way to remember your time in the French fashion capital than with a souvenir you can wear again and again? We’re sharing our favorite places to buy chic scarves, hand-crafted handbags, beautiful blouses, and more so that you can always look and feel a little Parisian. Our local style mavens agree, for the best of Paris fashion, shop at these stores and then strut your stuff.
-
Creative Activities, ExperiencesTotes & Treats WorkshopSpend half a day in a Parisian apartment learning how to design and paint your own custom canvas tote! Paris-based designer Kasia Dietz welcomes you into her Marais home where she’ll teach you how to create wearable art. She’ll share examples of her work along with the techni…
-
FashionSerge Gainsbourg T-ShirtRegarded as one of the most influential musicians, singers, and songwriters of his generation, Serge Gainsbourg was also known for his controversial and provocative persona. In 1967, he dedicated his album Initials B.B. to Brigitte Bardot with whom he had a brief love affair.
-
FashionRive Gauche BagShow your love for your favorite side of the Seine with a custom, hand-painted Left Bank bag by local designer Kasia Dietz. Reverses to black with hand-painted ‘Paris’ pocket and secret zipper pocket. Also available in Rive Droite (Right Bank).
-
FashionI Heart Paris BagStylishly show your love for Paris with this custom hand-painted handbag by local designer Kasia Dietz. This reversible, high-quality canvas tote is like two bags in one, flipping to black with a hand-painted ‘Paris’ pocket and secret zipper pocket.
-
FashionParis Postal Code ToteStylishly show your love for your favorite arrondissement with this custom hand-painted handbag by local designer Kasia Dietz. This reversible, high-quality canvas tote is like two bags in one, flipping to black with a hand-painted ‘Paris’ pocket and secret zipper pocket. Available in all P…
-
FashionBrigitte Bardot Paris Icon T-ShirtBrigitte Bardot is a major international pop culture icon. Born and raised in Paris, B.B. started her career as an actress, model and singer in the 50’s and achieved international fame with her role in Roger Vadim’s ‘And God created woman’.
-
Experiences, Guided ToursParis Fashion ToursSpend a few hours with Paris designer Kasia Dietz to learn all about Parisian style, discover the city’s best boutiques, and meet other local designers. About the Tour As a designer who’s called Paris home for over nine years, Kasia will introduce you to shops exclusive to Paris and…
HOME DECOR
Make your home feel French by surrounding yourself with pieces from Paris. While you’re in the City of Light, spend a few hours treasure hunting at a local antique shop, browse handmade housewares in an elegant boutique, or pop down to a department store to pick up a print. These are the stores we turn to when decorating our Parisian apartments.
-
DecorationCafé de Flore PrintCafé de Flore print from Anthony Tambourini The Café de Flore is one of two legendary cafés in the Saint-Germain neighborhood (the other being its rival, Les Deux Magots, just across the street). As one of the oldest cafés in Paris, it was a favorite haunt of writers, philosophers, and artists l…
-
DecorationEdith Piaf PrintDiscover Edith Piaf as you’ve never seen her before with this original print from the talented Parisian artist Helena Pallares. Edith Piaf is a beloved Parisian singer, best known for her iconic singing voice and of course her song “La Vie en Rose.” Now buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery, yo…
-
Bookshop, Decoration, TravelParis Postcards – Café CollectionParis postcards from Anthony Tambourini The café culture in Paris is one of our favorite things about life in the city, and we’re guessing it’s part of why you love Paris too. This set of 5 postcards featuring original illustrations of the iconic Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, Le Café Marly,…
-
DecorationAnaïs Nin PrintDiscover Anaïs Nin as you’ve never seen her before with this original print from the talented Parisian artist Helena Pallarés. “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are,” is certainly the most famous quote from Anaïs Nin, the American diarist, essayist, novelist, and short story …
-
DecorationParisian Rooftops Print IIIGrey zinc roofs are one of the most distinctive features of Parisian architecture. On their way to UNESCO world heritage status, the city’s rooftops inspired local artist Clément Gy to create a beautiful series of urban landscape illustrations. Printed on high grain, high-quality paper, number…
-
DecorationParc des Buttes Chaumont Scented CandleAt the end of the day at Buttes-Chaumont we indulge in daydreaming in the shadow of its iconic Lebanon cedar. The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont candle reveals a woody head and a light floral heart, against a sensual background of cedar and sandalwood.
-
DecorationParisian Rooftops Print IIGrey zinc roofs are one of the most distinctive features of Parisian architecture. On their way to UNESCO world heritage status, the city’s rooftops inspired local artist Clément Gy to create a beautiful series of urban landscape illustrations. Printed on high grain, high-quality paper, number…
-
DecorationBrigitte Bardot PrintDiscover Brigitte Bardot as you’ve never seen her before with this original print from the talented Parisian artist Helena Pallarés. Brigitte Bardot is a major international pop culture icon. Born and raised in Paris, B.B. started her career as an actress, model, and singer in the 50’s and ach…
-
DecorationVictor Hugo PrintDiscover Victor Hugo as you’ve never seen him before with this original print from the talented Helena Pallarés. Victor Hugo is considered to be one of the greatest French writers, and his most famous works, the novels Les Misérables, and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame are indissociably linked to…
-
DecorationTuileries Palais-Royal Scented CandleLike a colorful bouquet of a bride photographed in the garden of the Palais Royal, the Tuileries Palais-Royal candle is a harmonious blend of cut flowers, with an aquatic head and a floral heart of hyacinth, on a woody and green background.
BOOKS & STATIONERY
Bring a bit of Paris’s rich literary culture back home with you and support small local bookstores while shopping in the city.
Like everywhere around the world, sadly more and more bookshops are closing here in the French capital, but fortunately, these lovely librairies remain open, offering exciting stories in the pages of the books they sell as well as interesting tales of what’s happened between their historic walls. If you’re looking for new reading material or perhaps a journal to write in during your travels, you’re sure to love these Paris bookstores.
-
Bookshop, TravelFan of Fashion’s Guide to ParisThis 1-page PDF guide tells you exactly what to see and do in Paris if you have a passion for fashion! Our resident fashionistas have turned their local insight into the ultimate Paris checklist so you can learn about Parisian style, discover designers and, of course, shop till you drop. It…
-
Bookshop, Decoration, TravelParis Postcards – Café CollectionParis postcards from Anthony Tambourini The café culture in Paris is one of our favorite things about life in the city, and we’re guessing it’s part of why you love Paris too. This set of 5 postcards featuring original illustrations of the iconic Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, Le Café Marly,…
-
Bookshop, TravelBook Lover’s Guide to ParisThis 1-page PDF guide tells you exactly what to see and do in Paris if you love literature! Our resident bookworms turned their local insight into the ultimate checklist so you can follow in the footsteps of famous writers, visit the settings of your favorite stories, or find the perfect spot …
-
Bookshop, TravelFoodie’s Guide to ParisThis 1-page PDF guide tells you exactly where to go and what to do in Paris if you want a true taste of the City of Light! Our resident foodies have turned their local insight into the ultimate checklist so you can learn about Parisian culinary culture, dine at the best bistros, and pick up go…
HEALTH & BEAUTY
The French are known for their amazing beauty products, renowned for their fragrances, soaps, cosmetics, and skincare. Be sure to pick some up while in the City of Light so that you can treat yourself to Parisian-style self-care wherever you are in the world. Luckily, they come in conveniently small packages so you can stock up and still have plenty of room left in your suitcase for other purchases! Here are our local recommendations for where to shop in Paris for your beauty product fix.
-
Creative Activities, ExperiencesBeauty & A Bag WorkshopSpend the morning at a gorgeous day spa in Saint Germain, learning how to design and paint your own custom canvas tote before treating yourself to a manicure! Paris-based designer Kasia Dietz will teach you her techniques for designing wearable art, sharing some examples of her work and explai…
-
FragrancesThe Queen of Hungary’s Radiance BalmThe Radiance Balm is a nourishing facial treatment for dry to very dry skin inspired by the Queen of Hungary’s Water. It sublimates the complexion, prevents the appearance of the signs of aging, and balances the cutaneous flora thanks to pure rosemary extract taken from the King’s Garden of Versa…
-
FragrancesParisian Cucumber Revitalizing CreamInspired by the authentic Cucumber Pomade recipe, the cucumbers in Mademoiselle Saint Germain’s Revitalizing Cream come from the King’s Vegetable Garden of Versailles. A light cream with a high concentration of Bonneuil’s white cucumber as well as unique nourishing and repairing active ingredi…
-
FragrancesThe Queen of Hungary’s Radiance LotionMademoiselle Saint Germain’s Radiance Lotion is a beauty elixir inspired by the authentic recipe of Queen of Hungary’s water. It sublimates the complexion instantly thanks to pure rosemary extract taken from the King’s Garden of Versailles. A refreshing and purifying part of any beauty routine. …