Paris City GuidePractical InformationsShopping in Paris

Fashion shopping

Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world, thus shopping is an unavoidable pleasure during any visit to the city.  There are several well-known areas where this mission can be accomplished.

World renowned brands and luxury items

Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Metro line 1, just north of the Tuiliries station) has a collection of boutiques of a number of well-known fashion houses.  Lanvin can be found at number 27 while Hermés showcases its products is just across the street at no. 24.  The main Christian Lacroix store is at no. 73 and new arrivals include John Galiano at number 384.  Virtually every fashion designer in the world seeks to have an address on this street.

One of the more interesting shops is that of Colette, at no 213 Faubourg St Honoré.  This is THE place to find a selection of everything that is cutting-edge in fashion, furnishings or otherwise.

Another major round-up of famous international designers can be found near the Champs Elysées on Avenues Montaigne and George V (Metro line 1, stations Franklin D Roosevelt or George V).  Several well-known haute-couture designers can be found there, including Prada, Gucci, Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Department Stores

Just north of the Opéra on the right bank, the city’s two most famous department stores, Printemps et Galleries Lafayettes demure side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann (Metro line 9, station Chaussé d’Antin).  Printemps pour Homme Men’s Store contains a vast and comprehensive array of men’s fashions.  Recently redesigned, the store contains brands from many world designers, both new and old.  

Other department stores include La Samaritaine on Rue de Rivoli (Metro line 1, Châtelet station) in the 1^st arrondissements and the Bon Marché (Metro line 10 & 12, station Sèvres Babylone) on the left bank.

Cutting edge jeans and street wear

Rue Etienne Marcel (metro line 4, station Etienne Marcel) between Les Halles and Place des Victoires contains a variety of internationally known boutiques popular with the new generation.  Among these are Diesel and Diesel Style Lab, Energie, Replay and G-Star.  The Shop is an agglomeration of urban wear labels (such as Carhartt and 2 High) where you can shop to the sounds of a live DJ.  The other large multi-brand store in the neighborhood is L’Eclaireur (10, rue Hérold, 1^st arrondissement).  Here you will find a, exclusive line of hot items is a cool, low-key setting.  The boutique is actually located at street level in a loft without any sort of markings or indications.  While it is rather obscure, do not hesitate to ring the bell to be buzzed in.     

Gay Shopping

Our last shop-stop takes us to the Marais (Metro line 1, Hôtel de Ville or line 11, Rambuteau) where a host of small boutiques are sure to please a wide range of gay clients.  There are several clothes shops which are noteworthy, however the best selection is undoubtedly found in the Boys Bazars.  Three shops are all located a few steps in either direction from the corner rue des Archives and rue Ste Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie.  Each shop contains a line of goods sure to suit all ages, styles and budgets.  A bit further on rue des Rosiers, L’Eclaireur, offers a selection of cutting-edge clothing and accessories presented in much the same way as the Collette shop on rue Faubourg St Honoré.

Fresh and Inexpensive

A lot of good buys on unique items are to be found in the shops around Les Halles.  In the Forum des Halles itself you will find an H&M shop which contains a hip selection of tops, bottoms and accessories.  Numerous other small vendors in the area have everything from jeans to one-of-a-kind t-shirts and the latest footwear.  In addition, the latest in sneaker fashion can be found in Europe’s largest Puma Store (22, blvd Sébastopol, 4^th arrondissement) or in the Adidas store (150, rue de Rivoli, Metro line 1).