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Paris Shopping Guide

History, romance, culture: The City of Light has all of that, sure, but it's the world-famous shopping that gets us most excited.

1

AB33

Proprietor Agathe Buchotte grew up in the south of France, and her breezy shop seems like it could be plucked straight of out Marseilles. Sweet printed Kristina Ti bikinis and sherbet-colored tees from Vanessa Bruno's charming secondary line Athe mingle with other French-chic garments in a pleasingly spare space.
33 rue Charlot (3rd arr.), 33-1-42-71-02-82

Products: Swimwear, Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
2

abaco

carry one home
Abaco is building quite a following with its slouchy pigment-dyed leather bags, which are the epitome of understated bohemian luxury.
Best location: 68 blvd. de Sebastopol [3rd arr.], 33-1-48-87-86-86 l64

Products: Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
3

abou d'abi bazar

This Marais institution stocks primarily pieces from Parisian designers who combine bohemian with feminine: Isabel Marant (specifically her lower-priced Etoile line), Tara Jarmon, and Stella Forest. If you have time for only one clothing boutique, this is a good bet.
10 rue des Francs Bourgeois (3rd arr.), 33-1-42-77-96-98, aboutdabibazaar.com

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
4

Agnes B.

This is stop number one for Americans who want to achieve that effortless Parisian-girl look. Specialties include snap-front cardigans, crisp cotton trousers, and that ultimate French item—the striped sailor jersey.
Best location: 6 rue du Jour (1st arr.), 33-1-45-08-56-56, agnesb.com

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
5

allison

Though new locations of this boutique chainlet keep popping up, it's still largely unknown, even to locals. All the better for you: Consider it the insider's resource for Antik Batik, Maje, and one of our favorite new discoveries, April 77 (we still regret not buying one of its Sgt. Pepper-ish military-style denim jackets).
38 rue des Abbesses (18th arr.), 33-1-42-62-37-28

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
Antik Batik
6

Antik Batik

No one else nails the rich-hippie look as successfully as Antik Batik. Beaded silk caftans and lavishly embroidered kurtas—just the thing for lounging poolside in a Jaipur palace-are the line's signatures.
18 rue de Turenne (4th arr.), 33-1-44-78-02-00, antikbatik.fr

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
Antoine & Lili
7

Antoine & Lili

The store that started it all, Antoine & Lili was the only game when it opened years back along the picturesque Canal St. Martin; it still wows us with its offbeat decor and funky imports.
95 quai de Valmy, 33-1-40-37-41-55, antoineetlili.com

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
8

A.P.C.

Understated yet fashion-forward, pieces by A.P.C. have enduring credibility among Parisian hipsters. Expect a bounty of utilitarian styles this season; standouts include epaulet-trim shirtdresses and denim tunics reminiscent of artist's smocks.
3 rue de Fleurus (6th arr.), 33-1-42-22-12-77, apc.fr

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
9

astier de villatte

These French ceramics are instantly recognizable: antique-influenced terra-cotta vessels washed in an artistically uneven milky glaze. Find the latest designs at its charming, rustic storefront, along with vintagey bistro glassware, rosary-like necklaces, and other knickknacks by a myriad of small designers.
173 rue St. Honore (1st arr.), 33-1-42-60-74-13, astierdevillatte.com

Products: Jewelry, Tabletop, Gifts/ Design
Type of Store: Boutique
10

Balenciaga


10 ave. George V (8th arr.), 33-1-47-20-21-11

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
11

beryl

Antique pendants, brooches, and cocktail rings arranged in velvet-lined window trays are the big draw at this tiny jewelry shop. Go in to admire their uniqueness (and flea-market-reasonable prices).
80 rue de Provence (9th arr.), 33-1-40-16-99-60

Products: Jewelry, Antiques
Type of Store: Boutique
12

brontibay

carry one home
Word is fast spreading of Brontibay and its vibrant, unstructured totes with contrasting leather handles.
6 rue de Sévigné [4th arr.], 33-1-42-76-90-80, brontibay.fr

Products: Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
13

Cacharel stock

where to stretch your euros
An extraordinary outlet, with a healthy range of sizes, and located on an out-of-the-way street known for its wealth of discounters.
114 rue d'Alésia [14th arr.], 33-1-45-42-53-04

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Outlet
14

Chanel


Best location: 31 rue Cambon (1st arr.), 33-1-42-86-28-00, chanel.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
15

Chloé


54 rue du Faubourg St. Honore (8th arr.), 33-1-44-94-33-00, chloe.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
16

colette

The term "lifestyle store"—a boutique that brings together clothing, makeup, CDs, books, and food under one roof—entered the lexicon thanks to Colette. The first of its genre when it opened in the mid-'90s, it's still as pacesetting as ever, stocking one-offs and exclusives from underground talent, as well as clothing by well-known names including Lanvin and Lucien Pellat-Finet.
1213 rue St. Honoré (1st arr.), 33-1-55-35-33-90, colette.fr

Products: Women's Clothing, Beauty, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
17

Comptoir des Cotonniers

All of the effortlessly cool (and mostly cotton) garments at this laid-back-chic chain have a weekend-in-the-south-of-France sensibility. Simple white fixtures provide the perfect backdrop for softly toned trenches, ruffle-detail camis, and slouchy shorts.
33 rue des Francs Bourgeois (4th arr.), 33-1-42-76-95-33, comptoirdescotonniers.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
CSAO
18

csao

Handmade West African imports—bright woven-plastic floor mats, kente-cloth clothing, and bedding dyed earthy hues of ochre and oxblood—are the specialty at this sprawling boutique/gallery. It's hard to miss: The mini-empire (which now includes a restaurant) has taken over an entire block in the Marais.
9 rue Elzévir (3rd arr.), 33-1-44-54-55-88, csao.fr

Products: Women's Clothing, Bags, Jewelry, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
19

des petits hauts

As its name ("Some Little Tops") suggests, this store sells mostly tops—specifically, a winning assortment of cheerily detailed tanks, tees, and sweaters.
5 rue Keller (11th arr.), 33-1-43-38-14-39

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
20

Deyrolle

Envision an old-fashioned botanist's library, complete with exotic taxidermic animals (yes, for sale) and creaky floorboards, and you've got Deyrolle, a 174-year-old French institution. So what else is there to buy? Tons of vintage botanical posters ($32 to $150), along with butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles with which to create your own shadow boxes.
46 rue du Bac (7th arr.), 33-1-42-22-30-07, deyrolle.fr

Products: Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
21

Dior


Best location: 30 ave. Montaigne (8th arr.), 33-1-40-73-54-44

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
22

et vous

A recent reinvigoration of this line has really registered on our radar. We'd now describe Et Vous as a more upscale Zara: quietly fashionable, undeniably chic, and well-priced.
42 rue Etienne Marcel (2nd arr.), 33-1-55-80-76-10

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
23

Etam

France's answer to H&M, this hyper-affordable womenswear chain has a knack for rolling out accessible on-trend clothing. Its current offerings—'50s-inspired sundresses, playful canvas totes, primary-bright trenches, and sequin-flecked circle skirts—are especially spot-on.
67/73 rue du Rivoli (1st arr.), 33-1-44-76-73-73, etam.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
France Ma Douce
24

France Ma Douce

Browse for espadrilles from Marseilles, hefty Provence soaps, and striped kitchen linens from the Aquitaine province at this quaint purveyor of French regional goods.
27 rue du Bourg-Tibourg (4th arr.), 33-1-44-59-38-03, francemadouce.com

Products: Linen's, Table Top, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
25

franck et fils

one-stop shopping
The mellow 16th arrondissement isn't exactly a shopping hot spot, but fancy, renovated mini department store Franck et Fils is poised to change that. It carries an edited collection of lines you'd find at its bigger competitors, but with far fewer tourists to compete with for the goods. The shoe salon is especially notable-Dries Van Noten, Chloé, and Yves Saint Laurent are well represented.
80 rue de Passy (16th arr.), 33-1-44-14-38-00

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Lounge wear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty
Type of Store: Department Store
26

french touche

Editor's Pick
"Dozens of little know French artists and designers make trinkets, paper goods, baby clothing, and accessories for this adorable out-of-the-way store. And its website ships to the States!"—Joane Amay, Credits Editor
1 rue Jacquemont (17th arr.), 33-1-42-63-31-36, frenchtouche.com

Products: Lingerie/ Loungewear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Books/ Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
27

galeries lafayette

one-stop shopping
Its restructured fashion departments, which now include even more indie labels from around the world, and the hipster basement-level Lafayette VO shop make shopping this mammoth retailer-our favorite in Paris-a wonderfully dizzying experience. Visit early in the day, since the store can get packed beyond comfort, and note that foreign shoppers are entitled to 10 percent off their purchases.
Best location: 48 blvd. Haussmann (9th arr.), 33-1-42-82-34-56, galerieslafayette.com

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Lounge wear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Department Store
28

ginger lyly

Ginger Lyly has generated buzz with its spunky mix of one-offs by local designers.
33 rue Beaurepaire, 33-1-42-06-07-73

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
29

Goyard


233 rue St. Honore (1st arr.), 31-1-42-60-57-04, goyard.fr

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
30

hermès


Best location: 24 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré (8th arr.), 33-1-40-17-47-17, hermes.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
31

home autour de monde

Two floors of bright, modern, entirely captivating home goods greet the shoppers that always seem to mob this cheerful retailer. Enter the fray and take in neon Buddha statues, embroidered floor pillows, and brightly painted candelabras.
8 rue des Francs Bourgeois (3rd arr.), 33-1-42-77-06-08

Products: Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
32

iris

Italian shoe manufacturer Iris opened this minimalist Left Bank shop to sell footwear by all the designers it works with, including Chloé, Veronique Branquinho, and Sonia Rykiel.
28 rue de Grenelle (7th arr.), 33-1-42-22-89-81

Products: Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
33

Isabel Marant

Revered for her flattering, slightly drapey cuts and globally influenced designs, Marant has an intensely loyal following. A typical look might include a slouchy tank with rolled-up capris and tapestry-print boots. Buy here, as Marant's pieces are nearly impossible to find in the States.
16 rue de Charonne (11th arr.), 33-1-49-29-71-55

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique
34

K. Jacques

Lucky editors live in these St. Tropez-made leather sandals all summer long. Some favorites: the "Bikini," a lace-up-the-leg gladiator style, and the "Diogene," a classic thong fringed with burnished metal discs.
16 rue Pavee (4th arr.), 33-1-40-27-03-57

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique
35

karine dupont

carry one home
Many a Parisian woman owns at least one streamlined nylon purse by Karine Dupont; her shoulder bags composed of multiple layered pouches—each one a different color—are swift sellers.
best location: 4 rue du Marché St. Honoré [1st arr.], 33-1-40-27-82-82 165, karinedupont.com

Products: Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
36

kazana

Multiple locations of this affordable accessories store, which specializes in imports from Morocco and India, dot the city. Expect bib-size wood-bead necklaces, embroidered silk totes, and etched metal cuffs, all priced under $60.
Best location: 52 rue St. Louis en l'îsle (4th arr.), 33-1-46-34-83-95

Products: Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
37

La Charlotte de l'îsle

Editor's Pick
"Known for its superrich hot chocolate, this tiny, kitschy café also has a small-but-amazing selection of handmade sweets. I always get its buttery truffles to go." —Jen Ford, Fashion News Editor
24 rue St. Louis en l'îsle (4th arr.), 33-1-43-54-25-83, la-charlotte.fr

Products: Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
38

La Durée

Editor's Pick
"The Macaroons from this fancy oldfashioned pastry shop are incredible—it's worth the wait in the usually crazy-long line to get them. They're beautifully packaged, too."—Hope Greenberg, Fashion Director
75 ave. des Champs-Elysees (8th arr.), 33-1-40-75-08-75, laduree.fr

Products: Gifts/ Design
Type of Store: Boutique
39

Le Bon Marché

one-stop shopping
This modern, upscale Left Bank retail giant has a certain poshness that its rivals in town lack. Expect clothing from both heavy hitters and emerging labels—from Azzedine Alaïa to Erotokritos—along with regular fashion-related exhibitions; a recent one explored the history of shoes in cinema.
24 rue de Sèvres (7th arr.), 33-1-44-39-80-00, lebonmarche.fr

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Lounge wear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty
Type of Store: Department Store
40

le mouton à cing pattes

where to stretch your euros
A.K.A. "the five-legged lamb," is a top-notch, not wildly expensive destination for secondhand designer labels-even though some of the actual labels are snipped out of the garments.
46 rue du Bac (7th arr.), 33-1-42-22-30-07

Products: Women's Clothing, Vintage
Type of Store: Designer Discount
41

Les Prairies de paris

Romance is alive and well among the racks at this charming indie label: Imagine pretty, flowy dresses, peasant blouses waiting to slip off one shoulder, and swingy wide-yoked skirts.
6 rue du Pre aux Clercs (7th arr.), 33-1-40-20-44-12

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique
Les Puces de St.-Ouen
42

Les Puces de St.-Ouen

Located on the northern fringe of Paris, Les Puces de St.-Ouen is the most well-known and touristy flea, with pricier items, designated vendors, and better organization.
(at ave. Michelet and rue Jean Henri Fabre l42 ; open Sat. through Mon.)

Products: Denim, Lingerie, Loungewear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Outdoor, Books, Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Fair/Flea Market
Les Puces de la Porte de Vanves
43

les puces de la porte de Vanves

Southern-situated Les Puces de la Porte de Vanves is our favorite. It's less edited and grungier-digging for finds under makeshift tarps is the norm—and therefore more rewarding when you land a deal.
at ave. Georges Lafenestre and rue Marc Sangnier l43 ; open Sat. and Sun.

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Outdoor, Books, Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Fair/Flea Market
44

louis vuitton


Best location: 101 ave. des Champs-Elysees (8th arr.), 33-1-53-57-24-00, louisvuitton.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique
45

louison

carry one home
Best known for its flat canvas satchels with fluorescent trim, the current collection from Louison features metallic-leather pouches and glitter-speckled totes-all by a former Hogan designer.
(20 rue St. Nicholas [12th arr.], 33-1-43-44-02-62 163

Products: Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
Madame Andre
46

Madame André

With her adorable Kewpie-doll looks and esoteric schoolgirl style, former fashion editor Chloé Para is the perfect face for her unique, fashionable boutique. The beyond-tiny shop is meticulously stocked with left-of-center essentials: Japanese silk-screened totes, socks with knit-in designs of shoelaces, skinny striped scarves.
34 rue du Mont Thabor (1st arr.), 33-6-19-97-06-30
Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique
Mariage Feres
47

Mariage Fères

Editor's Pick
"This teashop and salon feels straight out of another country, but not in a hoity-toity way. It has a cute, low-key café, and its Birthday Tea blend—which comes in a pretty canister—makes a great gift."—Jean Godfrey-June, Beauty Director
Best location: 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg (4th arr.), 33-1-42-72-28-11, mariageferes.com

Products: Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
48

monoprix

one-stop shopping
We love roaming the aisles at this supermarket/drugstore/discounter to see what foreign-to-our-eyes treasures we'll come across: milky Evian lip balm, unusually printed hosiery, or a version of Special K cereal that involves chocolate shavings (if the French can sneak chocolate into something, they will).
Best location: 21 ave. de l'Opéra (1st arr.), 33-1-42-61-78-08

Products:Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Department Store
49

OBA

Beloved OBA is rife with affordable made-in-Brazil giftables.
83 quai de Valmy, 33-1-42-40-39-91, obamercadogeneral.com

Products: Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique
50

olga