Paris, along with a few other cities such as New York, London, and Milan, being the capital of fashion, is the perfect place to go shopping. Its many shopping centers, small boutiques, and second-hand clothes stores fill the carts of all shopping addicts (to their accountants’ great dismay…).
In order to make sure your shopping spree goes on without a hitch, we have put together a list of the very best shopping centers and, malls in and around Paris.
Summary :
First, let’s locate them on a map:
Shopping Centers in Paris
Top class
1- Les Galeries LaFayette €€€
40 boulevard Haussman, 75009 PARIS
(Métro 3, 10, 13 and 14 Station St. Lazare)
Number of shops: 3,500
Size: 70,000m²
One of the world’s most famous shopping centers is at a mere 300 meters from the Opera Garnier.
Can you guess which one it is?
I am obviously talking about the Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann. This place is also known for its temporary sales and Christmas lights.
Thanks to the variety of shops as well as the different prices each will sell their wares for, anyone can shop over there.
The Gallery Lafayette provides everything, from the cheapest items to the most luxurious pieces. Fashion, jewelry, beauty products, gourmet foods and cultural events are all meshed up, bringing about a unique shopping experience.
Not to mention there are 25 restaurants to choose from.
💡 In our view: The Galeries Lafayette is the shopping center you just have to visit, all the more so if you happen to be a tourist. There are many brand names as well as top-quality products. Even if you aren’t planning to buy anything, it is enjoyable nonetheless to walk around and check out products from all over the world. Another positive aspect would be that no matter which restaurant you go to the quality of the cuisine will be top-notch and the view of the city will be superb.
2- Le Bon Marché €€€
24 rue de Sevres, 75007 PARIS
(Métro 10 and 12 Station Sèvres-Babylone)
Number of shops: 1,600
Size: 30,000 m²
At no more than a 10-minute walk from the Luxembourg Garden and a 15-minute walk from the Tour Montparnasse is where you will find the famous boutique, Bon Marché.
Bon Marché was the first high-class department store in Paris and greatly contributed to the image of luxury that France currently enjoys.
Don’t be fooled by the shop’s name (“bon marché” meaning “cheap”) which falsely implies that the store’s wares would be affordable. But despite the prices, very few, if any, customers have left the store unsatisfied.
High-quality food can be obtained; be it wine, cheese or even the famous macarons, nothing is missing. You can also get world-famous fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs, top-class cosmetics from brands such as By Terry or La Mer and even impressive jewels coming straight from the prestigious Maison Cartier.
Each year, thousands of tourists come to Paris with the sole purpose of buying articles from these prestigious brands.
💡 In our view: There are many brand-name products that will plaster a smile on the wealthier people since, sadly enough (while perfectly logical), the better the quality, the more expensive the item. On the other hand, there are much fewer customers and it’s much more enjoyable to walk around in Bon Marché than it is in most other department stores. The shows and temporary exhibits are mostly interesting. The best moment to shop there would be during the sales, in order to get cheap(ish) bargains.
3- Beaugrenelle €€€
12 rue Linois, 75015 PARIS
(Métro 6, Station Bir-Hakeim)
Number of shops: 120
Size: 45,000 m²
Beaugrenelle is the most eco-friendly of the department stores and is recognized by three environmental labels: the High-Quality Environmental standard label, the BREEAM label, and the Biodiversity label.
It owes this honor to its glass structure allowing for light to enter the building and structure made of metallic grids causing a self-regulated thermic control.
The Beaugrenelle building is separated into three distinct “islands” (basically, areas).
The first of these areas being the îlot Magnetic which mainly contains high-class fashion such as Aigle, Zadig & Voltaire, Celio or Hollister as well as top brands such as H&M, Celio or Zara. Finally, there are luxury cosmetic shops such as Agatha and Guerlain. Basically, it’s the Holy Land for fashionistas.
The îlot Panoramic hosts 11 restaurants such as Chipotle, DS Cafe or Panasia (an Asian restaurant).
The îlot City, at street level, provides basic services such as a CIC bank office.
Not only does the Pathé movie theater show a great number of movies in its 10 cinematic theaters, but it also presents many prereleases, operas, concerts and ballets.
💡 In our view: Another high-class boutique gathering, though the presence of a few relatively cheap shops is appreciated. The same goes for some harder-to-find shops such as Uniqlo. Not only is it spacious, cozy, stylish and comfortable, but there aren’t many people, even during the sales period.
A couple of other good things about it would be the fact that it opens on Sundays and the view through the entirely windowed building is rather enjoyable.
4- Le Printemps Haussmann €€€
64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
(RER A – Station Auber; Métro 3 et 9 – Station Auber)
Number of shops: 1,200
Size: 45,000 m²
Located near the Opéra Garnier, in the very heart of Paris, Printemps Haussmann is one of the most important luxury department stores in Paris. Its outer walls and rooftops (minus the recent additions) are classified as historical monuments.
Most famous clothes and cosmetics brands are available. All of which are separated by categories in all three of the store’s three buildings, with 27 floors as a floor. Brands such as Dolce & Gabbana are at your disposal at Printemps de la Mode, at Printemps Beauté, Laura Mercier (among others)are free to purchase, and finally, Printemps Homme is where you’ll find brands such as Armani and Levi’s.
On occasion, depending on the period, events and professionals such as hairdressers or tastings -depending on who the honored guests are- can also be scheduled.
As for food, you will be able to eat at the Repas Laurent Dubois, eat macarons at the Maison Ladurée in a Napoleonian decor, or even eat on the roof at the Café Messika.
Finally, if you come during the winter period, beautiful window displays are there to be admired.
The Best? The Personal Shoppers at your disposition.
💡 In our view: One of Paris’ most beautiful department stores. It was literally created for luxury products. A perfect place to walk around or buy a few hidden gems.
😍 What we like: the breathtaking view the terrace and its restaurants have to offer.
5- Le Carrousel du Louvre €€€
99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
(Métro 1 et 7 – Station Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre)
Number of shops: 40
Size: 3,000 m²
The Carrousel du Louvre is located beneath the Jardin du Carrousel, right next to the Comédie-Française and the Orsay and Louvre museums.
Not only is it a shopping district, but there is also a food court and a cultural area.
The shopping center has many different types of stores such as fashion and accessory shops like Lacoste, cosmetic shops such as Pandora, and Les Minéraux, health product providers like Omey, multimedia stores like Delfonics, decoration providers like Nature & Découverte.
As for the food court, many options are viable such as McDonald’s and Starbucks if you want fast food; and Amore, or Pitaya (respectively Italian and Thai cuisines).
Art is also a major aspect of the Carrousel. Not only is it attached to the Louvre museum but many expositions take place in its convention center; there’s even an archeological area showing off Paris’ walls.
💡 In our view: This shopping center is practically a beautiful subterranean town which holds many luxury and modern shops. (Cheap) replicas of the Louvre’s famous pieces are for sale; the food is adapted to everyone since all kinds of cuisines are available.
👍 Its strength: its convention center and direct access to the Louvre.
🧐 What we like less: the crowd, which is mainly due to its proximity to the Louvre museum.
Mid-range Shopping
6- Forum des Halles €€
101 Porte Berger, 75001 PARIS
(Métro 1, 4, 7, 11, 14 & RER A, B, D Station Châtelet / Les Halles)
Number of shops: 140
Size: 75,900 m²
In the very center of Paris, right next to the Louvre -the world’s most famous museum- is where you can find the Forum des Halles.
Everyone, be they locals or tourists, loves its brand new undulated Canopy (despite it taking 5 years to build) and its subterranean shops.
The reason is simple: Lots of Brand name shops such as H&M, Jules Naf Naf and Super Dry as well as many cosmetic shops like Sephora, The Body Shop, KIKO and Marionnaud.
Others sell top-class famous shoes such as André, Eram, and Minelli. Quite a few jewelry shops are also at your disposal such as Parfois or Histoire d’Or.
In this mish-mash of shops which sell a variety of different products for (quite obviously) very different prices, all classes of wealth are accounted for.
💡 In our view: There are a whole lot of different shops. Basically, everything is there. As it is underground, you don’t need to worry about rain when shopping. Its location in the middle of Paris makes it a quite popular shopping mall.
7- Italie Deux €€
30 Avenue d’Italie, 75013 Paris
(Métro 5, 6 et 7 – Station Place d’Italie)
Number of shops: 140
Size: 56,600 m²
Italie 2 is located in the 13th district and hosts roughly 130 shops.
There are jewelry stores, fashion stores, footwear stores, decoration providers, cosmetic boutiques, multimedia stores, culture shops as well as toys and gift shops; but more importantly, the Carrefour Market supermarket is there.
Concerning the other shop:
Among the jewelry shops, shops such as Pandora, Marc Orian and Ouroboros are present.
The footwear stores include Foot Locker, André, and Minelli.
Fashion shops such as Armand Thierry, Etam, and Promod will offer a wide range of both clothes and prices.
Cosmetic shops such as Marionnaud, Sephora or Yves Rocher will welcome you with open arms.
And various restaurants like Hippopotamus, La Croissanterie, Paul as well as Subway and McDonald’s will fill you up for a reasonable price.
💡 In our view: Every kind of shop can be found there, be they expensive or cheap stores. It is made to satisfy every need, be it food, clothes, daily products or anything else.
Shopping Centers Near Paris
8- Les 4 Temps & le CNIT €€
2 Parvis de la Défense 92092 Paris – La Défense / Puteaux
(Métro 1 & RER A Station La Défense / La Défense Grande Arche)
Number of shops: 260
Size: 140,600 m²
Located at La Defense, 6 km away from the Arc de Triomphe, this neighborhood is famous for being the most important business district in Europe. Therefore, there are many head offices as well as high-class hotels which will host foreign businessmen.
The gigantic arch, skyscrapers, and view of Paris are what make the area so charming.
Two shopping centers, at a mere 400 meters from each other, both facing the Grande Arche, are separated by the La Défense forecourt.
With its 240 shops including everything from clothes to decoration and beauty shops, the 4 Temps is the biggest shopping center in Europe.
There are many famous clothes stores such as Mango, H&M, C&A, Bonobo and Esprit.
With all kinds of foodstuffs, the mall’s food court is impressive. McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Hippopotamus, and Matsuri as well as many smaller sandwich shops will satisfy anyone craving for a quick meal.
Just as is the case with Rituals in the Forum des Halles, the only place you can find the American makeup brand NYX, is in the 4 Temps.
CNIT, the other shopping center contains “only” 50 shops of all kinds such as leisure, food, decoration or wellness shops as well as a travel agency, among which are Fnac Monoprix and Habitat.
💡 In our view: The 4 Temps is not only ideally located in the La Défense business district and easily accessible through both metros and RERs, but it’s spacious and bright as well. There are many shops which will satisfy anyone, whatever their budget as well as some fast-foods. Occasionally, events will be organized which will spice up the atmosphere even more.
👍 What we like: its large choice of shops.
9- So Ouest €€
31 Rue d’Alsace, 92300 Levallois-Perret
(Métro 3 – Station Louise Michel, Train L – Gare de Clichy Levallois)
Number of shops: 110
Size: 57,100 m²
This shopping center is at Levallois-Perret, close to Clichy-la-Garene and the Porte d’Asnières (Paris’ 17th district). Since it was built in a habited area, it was decorated in a Louis XV fashion design and was built with sustained development in mind.
Furthermore, television screens and smell dispensers have been placed pretty much everywhere in order to create a different atmosphere depending on your own location.
This shopping center hosts two supermarkets. A bigger one underground and a smaller one above ground.
There are all kinds of shops; decoration, fashion, cosmetics, games, multimedia as well as a movie theater.
As such, shops like Zaz, Mango, H&M, Camaïeu, Sephora, Marrionaud, Micromania and Nature et Découvertes will obviously be present.
A food court is also at your disposition with restaurants like Fratellini Caffe, McDonald’s, Prêt à Manger, Bagelstein and HD Diner
💡 In our view: So Ouest is an esthetically pleasing, modern, and well-lit shopping center which provides services for all budgets. There are cheap shops such as H&M, La Chaise Longue as well as more expensive shops like Sud Express and the Tops. Since there are fewer people shopping in it, there’s less hustle and bustle.
👍 What we like: surely the screens and smell dispensers
10- Aeroville €€€
30th Buissons Street, 95700 Roissy-en-France
(RER B : Roissypôle / Parc des Expositions & Bus : 39/349 Stop Aéroville)
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Number of shops: 182
Surface: 85,100 m²
At a simple 10 minutes from it, the Aéroville shopping center is right next to the Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport.
Tourists, businessmen and people living in the closer towns all shop there on a daily basis.
This shopping center is famous for its smell diffusers and calm music, providing a calm atmosphere, not unlike a natural ambiance.
The shopping center was created to satisfy any and everyone’s greatest desires. Europacor movie theaters, many restaurants, an Auchan supermarket, and the usual clothes, decorations, cosmetics, games, leather and jewelry shops are obviously all present.
Furthermore, events are organized on a monthly basis. Not only is there a children’s playground, but the shopping center will also organize activities to entertain them while their parents do their shopping.
There are also DIY decoration activities, and cooking classes with starred chefs such as Cyril Lignac, Norbert Tarayre and Ruben Sarfati from the Top Chef cooking show.
During these free lessons, you will learn how to cook with these famous chefs in an enjoyable atmosphere before your meal.
The best? A shopping coach is at your disposal.
💡 In our view: It’s spacious, well designed and well decorated, as well as full of nice shops. It’s very useful if you need to be at the Charles-de-Gaulle airport. There are multiple restaurants for a quick meal and famous -not too expensive- shops at your disposal.
Outlets Near Paris
Outlets, also call “factory outlets” or “stocks,” are shops which sell items from a previous season for cheaper prices. They are perfect for anyone with a small budget or a tight grip on their wallet.
11- La Vallée Village €
3 cour de la Garonne, 77700 SERRIS
Number of shops: 120
Size: 18,000 m²
La Vallée Village is the number one outlet for brand-name items.
At no more than a 35-minute trip from Paris and a 5-minute trip from the Disneyland Paris theme park, this shop, in its small open-air chalets, will have you explore its small picturesque town.
At a 2-minute walking distance from Val d’Europe, a relatively common shopping center, all your desires can be fulfilled.
With 120 high-class fashion or leather shops such as Jimmy Choo, Balmain, Guess, Michael Kors and Lancel, there is no better place to get cheap bargains.
The prices of the items for sale can go down from a 30% sale to a 70% sale, during private sales.
What to do when you don’t have a car: For a mere €30 per person, you can ride the “Shopping express bus” from the Place des Pyramides (next to the Louvre Museum) at 9:30 am or 1:00 pm. The return trips are at 4:00 pm and 6:45 pm. Whether you will only stay a few hours or all day, is a choice only you can make.
Book your Express bus from Paris to Vallée Village
The best? Lots of shops with quality items at cheap prices
💡 In our view: it’s a nice village with cute little houses
12- Usine center (Paris Nord II) €
Avenue de la Plaine de France, 95500 Gonesse
(RER B Station Parc des Expositions Villepinte et Bus 640, stop Centre Commercial)
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Number of shops: 100
Size: 17,000 m²
At 45 minutes from Paris, Usine Center is the suburban central outlet. Many high-quality brands such as Nike, Valege and even Levi’s jeans are at your disposal.
The 100 shops which include, clothes, shoes, leather goods, chocolatiers and restaurants are all at incredibly cheap prices. The down prices go from -40% to -80%.
The best: During the sales periods (January and July), these incredibly cheap items become even cheaper.
💡 In our view: Lots of shops at really low prices. Few people during the week. A few unexpected shops where you can make nice deals.
13- One Nation Paris €€€
1 rue du Président Kennedy, 78340 Les Clayes Sous Bois
(Bus 44 et 50 arrêt Vallée des Entrepreneurs
Bus 20 arrêt Gare routière des Clayes
Transilien N, Station Villepreux les Clayes)
Number of shops: 400
Size: 24,000 m²
At 30 minutes from Paris and 10 minutes from the Château de Versailles, One Nation is the perfect place to do some high-class shopping at low-class prices. You can even combine culture and shopping on the same day!
400 top brands at cheap prices going from -30% to -70%, private sales and pre-releases.
Many prestigious and high-end brands such as Armani, Gant, Diesel and Cacharel will provide you with whatever you desire (at cheap prices).
Hugo Boss dresses at €140 instead of €700, Rebook sneakers for less than half-price, Guess watches for under €200… you name it.
Shopping is known to whet your appetite… So how about eating a good Italian meal at Trattoria Locale, a coffee at Illy, or homemade burgers from Maison Foude.
And if you want a small gift for your friends and family, how about chocolates from Lindt or tea from Kusmi Tea
💡 In our view: Lots of prestigious brands at cheap prices -especially during the sales period. On the other hand, this is an open mall, so it can be cold and humid in winter as well as hot and muggy in summer.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
