What To Buy In Paris
What To Buy In Paris
Paris is a city known for its fashion, food, culture, and place to make unforgettable memories. One way to capture those memories is by bringing home a little souvenir to remind yourself of your time in the city of light.
The buying choices can seem a bit overwhelming, though, so today, I am sharing a guide on what to buy in Paris. Whether it’s your first time in the city or your 10th time, it’s always nice to bring home a little something for yourself and friends and family.
Where To Shop In Paris
Paris is known as the world’s fashion capital, so it should come as no surprise that it has many amazing areas to shop for your favorite finds.
For designer and luxury brands, try streets such as Rue Saint Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, as well as the famous Champs D’Élysées.
My favorite streets are Boulevard Saint Germain and Rue Bonaparte, full of fantastic art galleries, home stores, and local boutiques.
Don’t forget famed department stores like Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette, and Samaritaine.
If you want a specific souvenir of famous Parisian sites, try places around the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame.
What To Buy In Paris
Here, I am sharing my favorite places in 6 different categories for shopping and buying gifts and examples of what to buy.
- French Beauty Products
- Luxury Brands
- Souvenirs
- Bags
- Clothing
- Flea Market Finds
Beauty Products To Buy In Paris
French beauty is always a popular topic around here, and the best place to buy it, of course, is in Paris. You can find French beauty products and brands such as Caudalíe, Avène, La Roche Posay, and others at a French Pharmacy.
One of the most famous French pharmacies is Citypharma in Saint Germain. This pharmacy tends to be one of the most popular because of its vast selection and discounting. Some products to pick up are:
Caudalíe Vinoperfect Serum
If you look at any list of the best French beauty products, this serum is always at the top. If you have dark spots or your skin needs some brightening, this is one of the best products to use.
La Roche Posay Sunscreen
My dermatologist highly recommended this tinted sunscreen years ago. It’s lightweight, not greasy, and provides great protection.
The one I use is tinted, so on the days I don’t feel like wearing any foundation, I will just put this sunscreen on, swipe some powder over it, and my face is ready.
NUXE Body Oil
One of those French beauty products every French woman has in her beauty cabinet is NUXE body oil. It is lightweight, non-greasy, and has a pleasant smell. I like to use it daily after the shower.
Avène Cicalfate Hand Cream
Restorative and protective cream, I particularly love the version for the hands and have a tube at all times. This is one of the few hand creams I have found that keep my hands hydrated. This product is much cheaper to purchase in Paris than online.
Klorane Dry Shampoo
One of the best dry shampoos I have found to work on my dark hair. It absorbs oil from the hair & scalp in 25 seconds and regulates oil production for up to 48 hours.
This dry shampoo is also perfect for travel and you can buy travel sizes at the French pharmacy as well.
Luxury Brands To Buy
One question I am constantly asked is what luxury bag or shoes to buy in Paris. While this is obviously a personal decision for everyone. Paris is the place to invest in a luxury brand, whether it be a handbag, shoes, or even jewelry.
Some of the most famous French brands you can buy are CHANEL, Celine, Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Hermès.
Celine
My personal favorite luxury brand to buy from is Celine. I love the Triomphe Collection and the 16 Collection.
Also, a chic way to elevate your outfit is with this Celine belt or a pair of loafers for fall.
Manolo Blahnik
Buy any pair of shoes from the famed designer. You will have these for years to come and cherish them.
Chanel
One of the most luxurious brands to buy in Paris is, of course, Chanel. There are multiple boutiques throughout the city to bring home that bag you’ve been coveting for years.
Goyard
The oldest leather maker still around since 1853, Goyard is a symbol of French luxury and history. The most popular bag for the brand since the 1930s is the Saint Louis Tote.
Cartier
Since 1847, the luxury French brand Cartier has been most known for its watches, fine jewelry, and glasses.
What Souvenirs To Buy
There is nothing more special than a souvenir from Paris. You can buy anything from a beautiful Hermès scarf to a trinket in a souvenir gift shop. Here are some of my favorite shops to buy gifts for family and friends.
Marin Montagut
The cutest store by famous French illustrator Marin Montagut. I love everything in here and you can certainly find a charming gift.
Go for one of the notebooks, coffee mugs with famous Parisian streets, or even a bowl with a hand-painted picture of the famous green chairs that are in the many Parisian gardens.
Marius Fabre
Visit the store to pick up some soap from this famous maker who has been around since 1900. The Savon de Marseille soap comes in a cute box for gifting. You can also buy a soap dish to accompany the soap, a beautiful display in a kitchen. Everyone loves French soap.
Mariage Frères
This tea house has been around since 1854 and now carries over 500 varieties. If you know a tea lover, this is the place to come to pick up a little something to take home.
While you’re picking out a gift, ask them to brew you a hot or iced tea while you’re waiting. One of my favorites is the Bleu Des Legendes. Mariage Frères has multiple locations throughout the city.
Buly 1803
Anything from this gorgeous store would make a wonderful gift. Try the soap, lotion, or any of the perfumes. Tell them it’s a gift, and they will hand-write the person’s name in calligraphy. I usually go to the Saint Germain store, but a few are around the city.
Le Grande Epicerie
The most glamorous grocery store in Paris, Le Grande Epicerie, is also one of the best places to pick up gifts. You can pick up mustards, jams, cookies, French cheeses, and even French Butter! You can shrinkwrap the butter to bring home, so buy one for yourself and one for a friend.
What Bags To Buy In Paris
Besides the luxury brands you can buy in Paris, other high-end and high-quality French brands you can buy are:
Polène
Polène bags are luxurious but without the luxury price tag of high-end designer bags. They have become more popular over the years, and the brand is known for its Numéro Un and Numéro Sept styles.
Longchamp
One of my favorite bags to buy in Paris is a Longchamp Le Pliage. This iconic tote bag debuted in 1993 and has since become the brand’s best-selling bag worldwide.
Named after the French verb meaning to “fold,” and inspired by Japanese origami art. The Le Pliage is a canvas tote, with leather trim, which is lightweight, can easily be folded, and water-resistant.
le Tanneur
French brand Le Tanneur has been crafting leather bags since 1898. The brand is known for its timeless elegance and beauty in all its creations.
A few of the brand bestsellers are the Emilie Handbag, the Juliette, and the Louise Tote.
A.P.C.
A.P.C. is a French brand known for its laid-back attitude and classic Parisian designs. The Grace Bag is no exception. This is a well-known bag with its sleek structure, smooth leather, logo, and gold buckle on the font.
What Clothes To Buy In Paris
Paris is full of chic and classic clothing brands. You can buy anything from expensive couture along Rue Saint Honoré to more affordable French clothing brands. Here are some of my favorites that I like to purchase when I am in the city.
Sézane
My favorite French brand and one to buy in Paris is Sézane. I never visit Paris without buying something at one of their many stores. Some of my favorite pieces include their knitwear, jackets, and handbags.
ba&sh Paris
Another favorite French brand to buy is ba&sh Paris when you are in the city of light. The brand is a bit more bohemian and trendy than Sézane, yet you can pick up some gorgeous pieces. I love their Gaspard and Meredith styles.
rouge
Rouge is a brand created by Parisian model and designer Jeanne Damas. It was started in 2016 and is designed by women to focus on women’s styles and femininity.
You can find the brand at several locations throughout the city, including Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché.
Comptoir Des Cotonniers
I refer to Comptoir Des Cotonniers as a version of American retailer Ann Taylor—easy, everyday, affordable French brand pieces for work or the weekend.
The pieces are well made, the prices are mid-range, and you can easily find a great selection of French clothing classics in multiple stores throughout the city.
Souer
Soeur is a French clothing brand started by two sisters dedicated to timeless styles, sustainable fabrics, and functional details.
My favorites from the brand are essential or permanent pieces like stripes, basic tees, knitwear, handbags, and coats.
Flea Market Finds To Buy
One of the best places to find French treasures is at a Paris flea market, and there are many throughout the city.
I love to buy art, antique silverware, vintage scarves, and anything for the home. For more information, you can read all about my favorite Paris flea market finds here.
What Is Cheaper To Buy In Paris
With all of the shopping you can do in Paris, it’s also best to know what’s cheaper to buy in Paris compared to the States. While there are numerous cheaper items in Paris and France, there are several to note.
- Luxury brands
- French beauty
- High-end brands
- Diptyque candles
- Some kitchen items
- French clothing brands like Sézane, ba&sh, and Sandro Paris.
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