Shopping In Paris – Department stores

When you’ve got to do some shopping in Paris!

You may have heard about the famous Parisian department stores, or the “Grands magasins”, basically these are the best places to find everything you want: clothes, furniture, food, souvenirs, cosmetics
We’ve put together a guide below with all the details you need to perfectly organize your Paris department store shopping!

LA SAMARITAINE

La Samaritaine is the new department store in Paris that reopened in 2021! After 15 years being closed, for refurbishment works, La Samaritaine is now THE place to go, if you want to be up-to-date with la Haute Couture! Here, you’ll find most of the usual luxurious brands (Louis Vuitton, Chanel,…) but also, you’ll discover the fashion designers that are quite famous at the moment (Jacquemus, Balmain…). Accessories (watches & jewels), and leather goods are of course part of it!
Even if you are not into Luxurious items, just go there to enjoy the beauty of the place. The building was created with a riveted steel frame supporting a huge glass roof, decorated in the Art Nouveau style. Over the past 150 years, La Samaritaine has sparked fond memories for many Parisians – from climbing the theatrical steps that lead you to its renowned glass roof to shopping for unexpected gifts in the company of loved ones. This iconic shopping place is located in the heart of Paris, in the 1st district, super close to Les Halles and le BHV.
“It’s the perfect place to get inspiration and discover the latest trends”.

la samaritaine paris

Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris, opening in 1852. With Le Bon Marché, a new way of shopping was created in France: all of your favorite brands under one roof!
Le bon Marché is located in the heart of Paris, in the 7th district. Inside, you will find luxury boutiques like Dior and Chanel, amazing perfume houses on the ground floor, and a selection of global designer labels on the fashion floor. Le Bon Marché is the place to discover new designers and new concepts. It’s the perfect place to be up to date with french fashion and to find an outfit that none of your friends will have!
The famous escalators designed by Andréé Putman are also a must see in this place!
The next building in the same street is the Grande Epicerie (a grocery store with the finest food in town) where you’ll also find some amazing home furnishings.
“I love to visit this place to get some inspiration for my Parisian apartment, to find an outfit for a special occasion, or to get a special gift for a dear friend.”

le bon marché

Le Printemps Haussmann

In 1865, Jules Jaluzot, a visionary guy, chose to establish a new department store close to Saint Lazare train station in order to attract people from all over France. Since its creation, Le Printemps has always tried to refresh the world of shopping. For example, it created the concept of sales and decided to decorate the front windows with animated characters during the Christmas season! This is probably what made this department store so famous! People come from all over to see the colorful displays.
Today, le Printemps is known to be the temple of luxury items! In 3 different buildings located on the same boulevard, you’ll find many jewelry houses, luxurious brands like Louis Vuitton and Chloé, and the largest beauty and make up section in the world.
One building is dedicated to men, one to women and the last one to Home and Beauty. In 2018, they opened the top floors of the men’s building as a brand new food section with the finest food, wine and Champagne that you can find in France, as well as a food court where you’ll be able to taste an amazing French cuisine with a view of the city and the trendy pastries that Parisians love!
“I usually go to Le Printemps when I want to buy jewelry, or to have lunch or an afternoon snack with a view over Paris!“

shopping in paris au-primptemps

Les Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

Les Galeries Lafayette is also one of the most famous department stores in Paris. You may have heard about its amazing architecture and Art Nouveau Dome!
In this place, you’ll find numerous renowned fashion brands like Sandro or Claudie Pierlot, but also a lot of make up & perfume brands. On the lower level there’s something that no other department store has: the paradise of shoes! Don’t miss it!
Like Le Printemps department store, les Galeries Lafayette are separated into 3 different buildings located on the same boulevard (for men, for women and for food, & home furnishings).
If you come at Christmas time, you’ll discover a giant Christmas tree, designed by a different artist each year, hanging from the glass coupole, it’s a must-see at this time of the year!
“I love to go to the Galeries Lafayette not only for shopping. From the top floor, there is one of the best views over Paris (sunset time is magic!)”

dome galeries lafayette paris

Le BHV Marais

Le BHV Marais means the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville. Here, you’ll find everything you need (the definition of a bazaar!) : home furnishings, DIY, clothes, even some spices, chocolates, coffee and tea!
The clothing brands available are similar to the ones at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps department stores.
Le BHV Marais is located in Le Marais district which is super central. If you are around Notre Dame or the Pompidou Center, you are quite close!
On the rooftop, there is a bar called le Perchoir Marais. Here you can enjoy a view with a cocktail along with many parisians (open from wednesday to saturday from 8 pm to 1.30 am)!
“I usually go to le BHV to find everything I need for DIY. Everything is good value for money and you never get disappointed!”

BHV paris

Other shopping malls in Paris

If you prefer shopping malls to department stores, you’ll find below some more addresses to shop in Paris:

Carrousel du Louvre

Les Halles

Beaugrenelle

Les Quatre Temps

Outlet Stores

Of course, I couldn’t end this post without giving the address of the most famous outlet village of Paris! Located outside of Paris, 10min from Dineyland Paris, and easily reachable by metro!

La vallée village

village vallée
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