Ah, Paris. City of love, history, food, and all the fashionable clothing you could want. No matter your overall reason for visiting Paris, you’re bound to do some shopping while you’re there.
Shopping in Paris can be an experience unlike any other. With shopping centers all throughout Paris and the surrounding area, you’re sure to find something you love.
With so much to choose from and so much ground to cover, you may be wondering how to go about your Paris shopping spree. To help you get started, here are eight helpful tips for shopping in Paris.
1. Paris Can Be Budget-Friendly
You may think you have to spend a ton to shop in Paris. If that’s the case, think again! You can totally have a great Parisian shopping experience if you’re sticking to a budget.
The best way to do this is to find out where the less expensive shops and centers are. You can find high-quality fashion and goods without breaking the bank by sticking to these types of shopping locations or circumstances:
- Attic sales (yard sales)
- Chain stores that aren’t unique to France
- Vintage shops
- Seasonal sales
You won’t only find designer boutiques when you head out shopping. So go ahead and create a budget, then go out and find the places that will help you stick to it.
Not sure where to find great deals? Ask the locals! Use this useful site to learn how to talk to them.
2. Choose Your Own Shopping Experience
Whatever type of shopping experience you’re looking to have in Paris, you can make it happen. If you’re looking for something low key and you’re out to find all sorts of who knows what, check out a flea market. If you’re looking for that movie-like Paris shopping spree feeling, though, you’ll need to go somewhere else.
What’s your destination if you’re looking for high-end shopping? The fashion districts.
This isn’t such a budget-friendly option unless you’re only looking to use your eyes. But there’s nothing quite like a Parisian fashion district.
If you’re looking for the very best, make sure you visit the Triangle d’Or or Les Galleries Lafayette. If nothing else, you’ll be able to drool over the haute couture you’re surrounded with.
If you’re looking for something not quite as fancy, try a department store, designer depot, or outlet mall.
3. Get a Little Street Shopping In
You don’t always have to go out of your way to get that Paris shopping experience. If you’d like to do it like the locals do, making sure you take some time to street shop.
Street shopping offers a large variety of options, so you’re likely to find a lot of things that are in your budget, as well as over it. You’ll find many different types of shops, too.
One of the best places to street shop is Le Marais. Check it out if you want to feel like a Parisian!
4. Keep a Hand on Your Purse
Just like with any other area full of people and distractions, you’ve got to keep a hold on your purse.
Literally. Letting your purse hang limply from one shoulder while you focus on shopping is only going to ruin your day. Pickpocketing happens a lot in Paris, so you’ll need to be on your guard.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop there, though. Just do so responsibly. Always keep a firm hold on your purse so if someone does grab it you’ll be able to react quickly.
5. Stop and Smell the Food
Don’t be so focused on the clothing Paris has to offer than you forget about the food! Since you’re likely to smell it everywhere you go, that may be difficult to do, but set some funds aside to whet your palate.
The good is Paris is just as fabulous as the fashion. If you’re only focusing on fashion, you’re really missing out.
6. Get a Little Old School
Paris is the perfect place to find amazing antiques. So if you’re into old stuff, don’t miss this opportunity.
If you like to mosey while you shop, visit a flea market. You’ll likely find all sorts of antiques and older items. One great place to do this is Puces de Clignancourt.
If you’re into the fast-action scene of auctions, check out Drouot. This is a legitimate auction that’s fast-paced and focused on selling, so this isn’t for the indecisive.
7. Shop Used
It may not seem like the most fashionable thing to do, but you can end up with a fabulous wardrobe if you’re willing to shop used. Consignment stores are the place to do it.
Reciproque is the largest of all the consignment stores you’ll find in Paris. There you’ll find a massive selection of clothing to outfit yourself with.
This is the perfect way to get high fashion items without paying for them at full price. You can save up to 80% if you’re willing to shop consignment items.
8. Don’t Forget the Accessories
While you may be totally caught up in the glorious Parisian fashion items around you, don’t forget to accessorize, too. Do so with some tasteful jewelry!
Jewelry can really add a lot to any outfit. It can change that outfit’s entire aura, too. Find the perfect pieces for you by shopping the malls, flea markets, and just about anywhere you look for clothes.
To get the most for your money, choose jewelry pieces that match several of your outfits.
Keep These Tips in Mind While Shopping in Paris
Shopping in Paris is one of those unforgettable experiences you’ll take with you the rest of your life. If you do it right, that is. You’ll only be stuck with bad memories if you get pickpocketed or spend your time staring at items you can’t afford.
So make sure you keep these tips in mind! They’ll help make your Paris shopping experience exactly what you want it to be.
Looking to “travel” a bit from the comfort of your own home? Check out these international recipes.