Where to Shop in Paris Without Breaking the Bank
Paris has a reputation for high-end shopping, but you don’t need a luxury budget to come home with stylish finds. From department stores and concept shops to vintage boutiques and outlet stores, there are plenty of places that offer French style at a range of prices.
Here’s a detailed guide curated from our community suggestions to help you plan a shopping day that’s both memorable and affordable.
Vintage and Thrift Shopping in Le Marais
Le Marais has lots of small, eclectic shops where you can spend hours browsing. Free’P’Star is a favorite example for budget-friendly vintage clothing. Items are often around €10 each, and the selection is a mix of eras and styles.
The stores aren’t perfectly organized, but that’s part of the charm, you might uncover a designer piece hidden in the racks.
The area also has other vintage stores and indie designer boutiques. Many focus on accessories, small jewelry, and unique clothing.
If you have time, add Les Puces, the famous Paris flea market, for more original pieces.
Department Stores With French Flair
The Grands Magasins are Paris icons. You’ll find international brands alongside French labels, plus elaborate interiors worth a visit even if you don’t buy anything.
La Samaritaine, near Pont Neuf, has a restored Art Deco and Art Nouveau design that makes it worth walking through. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps sit side by side on Boulevard Haussmann, with rooftop views over the city.
BHV, next to Hôtel de Ville, mixes fashion with homeware and hardware in a very Parisian way. Le Bon Marché, on the Left Bank, is quieter but equally elegant, with an adjoining gourmet food hall (La Grande Epicerie).
Teen-Friendly and Streetwear Shops
If you’re shopping with a teenager, Citadium near Galeries Lafayette is worth a stop. It has a plethora of streetwear and teen-oriented brands, from sneakers to casual accessories.
French and French-Japanese Brands
Topologie makes functional bags with a minimalist style, and although it’s also sold in the US, prices in Paris can be lower.
Brigitte Tanaka in the 1st arrondissement offers organza bags with whimsical designs, usually under €50. Both brands appeal to younger and older shoppers alike.
Concept Stores and Design Shops
Merci in the 3rd arrondissement is a well-known concept store mixing fashion, design, and homeware. Fleux, also in the Marais, focuses on quirky, modern décor.
Fragonard, better known for perfume, has home goods and clothing collections in addition to fragrance.
Affordable Fashion Chains With a French Twist
Monoprix is often compared to Target but with a Parisian touch. Larger locations carry clothing, accessories, and home items. Look for silk scarves around €38, cotton scarves around €20, tote bags, trays, and kitchen linens.
Zara and Massimo Dutti, being European brands, are often cheaper here than in the US. C&A is another European chain not found in North America, offering affordable clothing for men, women, and children.
Colorful and Mid-Range Boutiques
Antoine et Lili has colorful clothing and accessories that stand out from typical fast fashion. Sézane has become a go-to for modern French style at a mid-range price.
Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter is one of the city’s oldest market streets and has several mid-priced boutiques along with cafés and food shops.
Designer Outlets and Stock Shops
For discounted French designer pieces, try the Maje outlet near the Marais. If you’re visiting Disneyland Paris, the La Vallée Village outlet mall is nearby, with many brands at reduced prices.
Curated and Second-Hand Finds
La Frange à l’Envers offers second-hand clothes, shoes, and accessories curated for style rather than brand. The shop sits at the end of a courtyard, giving it a tucked-away feel.
Bis Boutique Solidaire, especially the large location near Temple metro, is neatly organized and has prices that are hard to beat.
Lingerie and Scarves
Princess Tam Tam, Etam, and Ysé sell lingerie and loungewear that range from youthful to refined. Ma Poésie is known for its bold, graphic scarves.
Comptoir des Cotonniers once ran ads featuring mothers and daughters, and the styles often appeal to both generations.
Stripes and Classic French Style
For the classic Breton striped shirt, head to Saint James, Armor Lux, or Petit Bateau. They’re not the cheapest but the quality is excellent, and the style never dates.
Contemporary Parisian Brands
Brands like Claude Pierlot, Zadig & Voltaire, The Kooples, and Berenice offer modern French fashion with prices below luxury level but higher than high street.
Specialty Shops and Accessories
Pourchet, near Place des Vosges, sells leather bags under €200 with attentive service. In the same area, Boutique Tibétaine offers imported cashmere scarves and ponchos at reasonable prices.
Bobbies specializes in shoes, while Faure Le Page is a heritage leather goods brand you rarely see outside France.
Hervé Chapelier is another Parisian favorite for tote bags. Rendell in the Marais sells stylish eyewear without luxury markups.
Unique and Offbeat Stores
Harpo, on the edge of the 2nd arrondissement, specializes in Native American silver jewelry, pottery, and leather goods.
Soeur and Vanessa Bruno mix modern trends with quality materials. Nuovo, in the Marais, offers fashion-forward pieces that have been featured in magazines.
Mademoiselle Jeanne and Balzac Paris are smaller labels with a loyal local following.