44 Best Shopping in Paris, France

The Paris flagship of this lauded label, whose global fame only skyrocketed with the design of the duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown, is glorious to behold. The late McQueen's hallmarks—tons of lace, gossamer fabrics, tartans, death's heads, and voluminous silhouettes—are all lavishly on display. But, while staying true to McQueen's vision, creative director Sarah Burton isn't as intent on pushing the boundaries as she is on creating her own magic in lavish gowns and dramatic ready-to-wear attire. Shoes, accessories, and surprisingly affordable jewelry to go with the garments are available as well.

Phoebe Philo, who defined this bohemian-chic label for a decade, single-handedly redefined the codes of fashion for professional women, garnering a huge and fiercely loyal following for her streamlined, minimal designs, featuring flowing pants, long, unstructured jackets, and the Cabas bag. All heads turned when bad boy Hedi Slimane, who left Saint Laurent in 2016 after rocking the label to its core, was tapped to fill Philo's comfy shoes. After his first season's glittery minis tanked, Slimane did an about-face, channeling a bourgeois art-house look that felt distinctly Parisian. Now, he's relegated the sultry looks to evening and sells tailored blouses and contoured jackets that are singularly sexy.

This store's A-list fashion credentials come with a big bonus—everything here is ethically and ecologically sourced. Peruse racks of men's and women's wear from handpicked European and U.S. labels, then head to the stellar shoe department to complete your look. Beneath glass skylights as clear as your conscience, you'll also find a fine selection of natural candles, leather goods, and jewelry. The kids' store just around the corner ( 22 rue Yves Toudic) is one of the city's best, with toys, decor, and color-coordinated togs that express canal-side cool.

Elegant, modern looks with sex appeal and lasting value are Chanel's stock-in-trade. Although the spectacularly beautiful Avenue Montaigne flagship takes shoppers' breath away, the heart of this revered fashion house is still the boutique at 31 rue Cambon, where Chanel once perched high up on the mirrored staircase watching audience reactions to her collection debuts. Great investments include all of Coco's favorites: the perfectly tailored suit, a lean soigné dress, or a quilted bag with a gold chain. Handbags, jewelry, shoes, and accessories are all found at the fabulous 42 avenue Montaigne boutique, opposite the flagship store.

A stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, this boutique does all the work for you, with a handpicked collection of standout clothing and accessories from the best smaller French and European labels like Diega, Pomandere, Absolut Cashmere, Chloë Stora, Apuntob, C.T. Plage, and much more. It's an excellent one-stop shop for immediate Parisian chic.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's first female designer for a label that's traditionally defined the feminine, has quickly made the House of Dior thoroughly her own. Her feminist perspective—which brings together the glamour, high style, and comfort women of all ages really want, instead of a fantastical notion best-suited for models—has transformed the house of Dior, raising it to one of the most exciting Parisian designer brands in the city, not to mention the most profitable. Furthermore, the reopening of Dior's refurbished Avenue Montaigne flagship store ushered in a new benchmark for Paris boutiques. Covering more than 105,000 square feet, this pearl of a flagship brings together haute couture and ready-to-wear items, beauty, and menswear, along with a restaurant (Monsieur Dior) and pastry shop (by chef Jean Imbert of the Plaza Athénée), three gardens, guest suites, and a superb gallery space bound to rival the Musée Yves Saint Laurent.

Paris's favorite concept store assembles top fashions for men and women, home furnishings (including those irresistible French bed and bath linens), vintage, jewelry, and housewares all plucked straight from top-tier French, European, and American designers. Every two months the store features a new design concept in the main entrance, with themes that range from Merci en Rose (featuring all things pink) to American Surf & Skate. The store's three cafés make lingering among Paris's fashion elite a pleasure.

This iconic clothing store, originally for kids, provides a fundamental part of the classic French wardrobe from cradle to teen and beyond. The signature T-shirt—cut close to the body, with smallish shoulders—works equally well with school uniforms or vintage Chanel. Thanks to timeless designs, the high-grade cotton clothes remain wardrobe staples year after year; however, lines in cotton-silk or cotton-cashmere and popular collaborations with chic designers like Christian Lacroix or Inès de la Fressange mean there's now even more in store. There are boutiques in all the major shopping neighborhoods. Stock up: if you can find this brand back home, the prices are sure to be higher.

An absolute favorite address for the kind of beautifully designed, offbeat yet sexy wardrobe staples we've come to expect from Paris designers. First carried only in top boutiques and concept stores, this sought-after label opened its own boutique only recently. You'll find tons here to love that you won't see on anyone else, including shoes and accessories.

This small-but-mighty boutique has quickly become chic Parisians' go-to place for affordable, eminently wearable, and ever-stylish urban classics. From stunning leather trenches to flowing suits and elegant evening wear, you'll find all the best in urban basics for home, office, and evening. These beautiful basics will never go out of style.

Glamour, nonchalance, and serious chic are what make these highly sophisticated separates standouts for the contemporary woman-on-the-go. Even Gauthier's more tailored, masculine styles manage to feel feminine and romantic, and she doesn't shy away from gauzy silks or colorful prints. A Paris insider favorite, her sleek boutique—on an up-and-coming Haut Marais shopping street not far from the concept store Merci—carries clothes, accessories, and her sought-after shoes.

The A.P.C. brand may be antiflash and minimal, but a knowing eye can always pick out its jeans in a crowd. The clothes here are rigorously well made and worth the investment in lasting style. Prime wardrobe pieces include dark indigo and black denim, zip-up cardigans, peacoats, and streamlined ankle boots. There is a second boutique nearby at 171 boulevard St-Germain. Their surplus store at 40 rue Jacob has a sampling of last year's accessories, shoes, and clothing at reduced prices.

A surplus store steps away from Sacré-Coeur, there's no need to wait for sales here; funky classics can always be found for up to 50% off.

AB33 is like a sleek boudoir—complete with comfy chairs and scented candles—and the clothes here are unabashedly feminine. Separates in luxury fabrics from top designers, irresistible silk lingerie, dainty jewelry, and a selection of accessories celebrate that certain French je ne sais quoi.

A loyal clientele has been devoted to agnès b. since the clothing brand was created in 1975. The simple-yet-innovative modern designs are paired with lasting quality in pieces like the signature "snap" cardigan available in a variety of colors, fitted T-shirts, and leather bags and jackets that last for decades. Her men's clothing collection is next door at number 10.

Anouschka has set up shop in her apartment (open by appointment only, Monday through Saturday), and has rack upon rack of vintage clothing dating from the 1930s to the '80s. It's the perfect place to find a '50s cocktail dress in mint condition or a mod jacket for him. A former model herself, she calls this a "designer laboratory," and teams from top fashion houses often pop by looking for inspiration.

Slinky silhouettes, bare midriffs, sequins, crystals, frills, and furbelows, not to mention plenty of silver, patent leather, and cutouts. In other words, Balmain is not for shrinking violets. This may sound like a break from the couture house's ultrafeminine backstory (a favorite of '50s Hollywood idols), but in the hands of Olivier Rousteing, being feminine translates to being at home in your skin first, then dressing it up—his glamorous, highly Instagrammable flights of fancy are catnip for models, singers, and reality stars. The elegantly minimal boutique in the heart of the Golden Triangle carries the full collection and is a lovely backdrop for these opulent street wear--meets--boudoir fashions.

One of the more creative French chains, Berenice has made an international splash for its of-the-moment styles, quality fabrics, and the kind of classic tailoring Parisians adore. Separates run the gamut from bold and bright to streamlined and understated, but they're always versatile and suitable for a wide range of ages. Accessories include shoes, belts, and bags in fun materials, like python-print or studded leather.

Comfortable, affordable, au courant clothes make this chain popular. Its reputation is built on smart, wearable styles that stress ease over fussiness. Separates in natural fibers—cotton, silk, and cashmere blends—can be light and breezy or cozy and warm, but they are always soft, flattering, and in a range of beautiful colors.

If new Parisian designer duds are a bit out of your price range you might consider this classy depot-vente (consignment shop), where chic neighborhood ladies deposit last year's barely worn loot. Its clean and artfully displayed stash of A-list designer clothing, accessories, jewelry, scarves, watches, and shoes can be had for half or less than retail, plus some stellar vintage is also for sale. Standouts have included a crocodile Hermès Birkin bag, Cartier watches, and a superb Chanel leather coat.

COS—which stands for Collection of Style—is the H&M group's answer to fashion sophisticates, who flock here in droves for high-concept, minimalist designs with serious attention to quality tailoring and fabrics at a reasonable price. Classic accessories and shoes look more expensive than they are.

This popular chain champions casual French fashions with a romantic feminine touch, from angora sweaters in sorbet colors to lightweight linen T-shirts. Everything from snazzy sneakers to scarves, bags, and belts is chic and top-quality. The boutique's soft, comfy jeans are especially sought after.

Dolce & Gabbana offers a sexy, young-Italian-widow vibe with a side of moody boyfriend. Svelte silk dresses, sharply tailored suits, and plunging necklines are made for drama. Women's clothes are at the Avenue Montaigne location; men's are at 3 rue Faubourg St-Honoré.

This cashmere shop provides stylish Parisians with luxury cashmere in every color, style, and weight; yarns range from light as a feather to a hefty 50-ply for the jaunty caps. The store caters to men and women (there are some kids' models too). Styles are updated seasonally yet tend toward the classic.

The flagship store features an understated collection of contemporary French-made clothes and accessories for men and women that emphasize quality fabrics, classic style, and cut over trendiness. You'll also find a handpicked collection of exclusive collaborations with cutting-edge French brands (like sleek leather-and-suede booties by Avril Gau for FrenchTrotters), as well as FrenchTrotters' namesake label and a limited selection of housewares for chic Parisian apartments.

This is a go-to address for top-quality Parisian fashion staples that always look of-the-moment but have the lasting power to remain stylish season after season. Ready-to-wear separates in silk, cotton, wool, cashmere, and leather come in pleasing prints and chic solids that look great on women of all ages. Look for standout leather jackets and well-priced accessories.

The clothes from this full-fledged design star rock out bohemian French stylishness. The separates skim the body without constricting: look for layered miniskirts, loose peekaboo sweaters ready to slip from a shoulder, and super full-length shearling vests to pair with slouchy boots. The secondary line, Étoile, offers a less expensive take.

The titular late designer's own chiseled profile is still a key design element in this St-Germain flagship store. Inside, look for very chic ready-to-wear collections for men and women, playing to the fashion-conscious twenty- and thirtysomethings who want to strut their stuff (think body-slimming jackets, jeans, and geometric-print T-shirts, mostly in black and white with a splash of color). The store also stocks signature caps, keychains, eyewear, accessories, bags, shoes, fragrances, and—you guessed it—Lagerfeld's signature fingerless leather gloves.

This Rue de Sevigné boutique is Paris's touchstone for edgy, up-to-the-second styles. L'Eclaireur's knack for uncovering new talent and championing established visionaries is legendary—no surprise after 30 years in the business. Hard-to-find geniuses, like leather wizard Isaac Sellam and British prodigy Paul Harnden, coexist with luxe labels such as Ann Demeulemeester, Jil Sander, and Maison Margiela.