Shopping in Paris France, Designer Shops, Boutiques, Lafayette

Shoppaholics are spoiled for choice in Paris, from the designer shops around Champs Elysees, the Boutiques in the back streets, department stores such as Lafayettes and Printemps or the high street supermarket. This page gives you the best places for shopping in and around Paris.

Boutiques/designer : Department : Hyper/supermarkets : Household : English

Boutiques & Designer Shops
Paris is well known for its specialist boutiques and designer shops and many will be found in some of the most beautiful areas of Paris. Boutiques range from fashion, art, furniture, imported objects, cloth, antiques, etc. and make Paris itself an Aladdin’s cave for shopping.

The following areas offer some of the best designer shops and boutiques and it is well worth exploring the passages and side streets:

Paris’ Department Stores
The larger department stores of Paris have many English speaking staff as many of their customers are tourists. The following are the best known:

Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
‘Centre Commercial’ or commercial centres are usually found on the outskirts of most large towns and on the outskirts of Paris. These centres usually comprise a hypermarket and a mall with a range of smaller stores including florists, bakeries, key cutters, fruiterers and cafes. They are generally open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 until 8:00. They have good access and parking for vehicles. You will also usually find gas service stations and self service car valet equipment.

As well as the usual supermarket section, these huge stores also offer a household section where you will find clothes, electrical goods ( tv's, white appliances etc.), crockery and garden-ware at very reasonable prices. You will also find a butchers, fishmongers, bakery and cheese counter.

Supermarkets and Minimarkets
A smaller version of the above - usually located closer to the centre of towns or in prime places within the Parisian arrondissements. Opening hours are generally Mon-Sat 9:30 – 8:00. They tend to have limited parking so choose your timing wisely.

Artisans
Independent specialist store owners are far from a dying breed in France. The specialist baker, butcher, cheese shop, wine cellar, fruiterer, florist , fish monger etc. pride themselves on their business and are very friendly and helpful. Be aware of their opening hours as many close on Monday and take a longer lunch.

The independent groceries offer a limited range of food items usually at a slightly higher price but tend to offer more flexible opening hours (some central city grocers will stay open late and on Sundays).

House & Home
The following list the better known chains for specialist shopping and can be found in an around major towns and in commercial districts.