Paris Living: FASHION IN PARIS

Shopping Guide made by Ylenia from the Ambitieuse blog

Shopping in Paris can be both exciting and challenging; the key is in knowing what you want and where to go.

There are so many shopping possibilities in this city in terms of style and price range, that for sure there’s something out there for you!

You must know that Shopping malls are not a “thing” in this city**. Most of the shopping in Paris is done on the streets, and that is why you must know where to look.

My favorite area is Le Marais. This place is beautiful and full of History, it has a very special and upbeat vibe and it is where you’ll find the widest variety of styles in the coolest shops you can imagine.

You will find from independent boutiques and chain shops to multi-brand and designer stores. The whole area is full of hidden treasures, but my favorites are located on:

- Place des Vosges

- Rue de Sévigné

- Rue de Turenne

- Rue des Francs Bourgeois

- Rue des Rosiers

- Rue Vieille du Temple

Other shopping areas you can’t miss are:

- Montmartre: In this area you will get absorbed by the stereotypical Parisian atmosphere and feel like Amélie. Make sure to start in Rue des Abbesses, and wander your way in the cobblestone streets…

- Saint Germain des Prés: For those of you who have a classic neat style, this area is for you… Rive Gauche Chic. You will find what you’re looking for in Boulevard Saint Germain, Rue Saint Sulpice, Rue du Four, Rue de Sèvres and Rue du Cherche Midi.

- Rue de Rivoli: In front of Tuileries and the Louvre, you will find a great amount of Souvenir Shops and Restaurants, but if you continue your way to the East you will find stores of all the main brands.

- Rue Saint-Honoré: After your visit to the Louvre, this is where to be. This hectic street provides you some of the most stylish shops in Paris.

- Avenue Montaigne: In this avenue, you will find yourself dreaming while you see the gorgeous vitrines of the most prestigious Designer and Luxury Maisons of the world.

Now that I have told you where to go, it is time to share with you my “Carnet d’adresses”

The staples (Multiple Locations):

- American Vintage

- Ba&sh

- Eleven Paris

- Gerard Darel

- Kookai

- Les petites…

- Maje

- Naf Naf

- Sandro

- Tara Jarmon

- The Kooples

- Zadig & Voltaire

- 1 2 3

Pretty shopping:

- Air Noos {52 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 4^e}

- Delphine Pariente {8 Rue de Turenne, 4^e}

- Holy G. {56 Rue Beaubourg, 3^e}

- Jade & Julie {232 Rue de Rivoli, 1^er}

- La boutique de Louise {32 Rue du Dragon, 6^e}

- Le Corner des Créateurs {2 Rue Tiquetonne, 2^e}

- Les cakes de Bertrand {137 Rue Vieille du Temple, 3^e}

- Paperdolls {5 Rue Houdon, 18^e}

Trendy shopping:

- American Retro {10 Rue Madame, 6^e}

- COS {4 Rue des Rosiers, 4^e}

- IRO {53 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4^e}

- Monki {96 Rue de Provence, 9^e}

- Royal Cheese {26 Rue de Poitou, 3^e}

- Swildens {16 Rue de Turenne, 4^e}

- & Other Stories {277 Rue Saint-Honoré, 8^e}

Chic shopping:

- April May {51 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 4^e}

- Brand Bazar {33 Rue de Sèvres, 6^e}

- Heimstone {23 Rue du Cherche Midi, 6^e}

- HOD {104 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4^e}

- Manoush {75 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4^e}

- Shine {11 Rue Debelleyme, 3^e}

Cool shopping:

- Bathroom Graffiti {4 Rue de Sèvres, 6^e}

- Colette {213 Rue Saint-Honoré, 1^er}

- Jean Marie Poinot {85 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4^e}

- L’éclaireur {40 Rue de Sévigné, 4^e}

Vintage Shopping:

- Hippy Market {21 Rue du Temple, 4^e}

- Kiliwatch {64 Rue Tiquetonne, 2^e}

- Kilo Shop {125 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6^e}

- Mam’zelle Swing {35 bis Rue du Roi de Sicile, 4^e}

- Vintage Désir {32 rue des Rosiers, 4^e}

- 25 Janvier {97 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4^e}

And last but not least, there are the quintessential “Grands Magasins”.

In Paris we count with three major Department Stores; Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and Le Bon Marché.

You may have heard of them already, probably the first two, but I recommend you to go to the third one since it is less crowded and you can get a proper sense of what French luxury is. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything there, I suggest you save one hour in your schedule to get to know it.

I hope you find this list helpful for your next visit to Paris. If you have any question, do not hesitate to contact me.

Happy Shopping!

**There are indeed a few shopping malls within Paris that I’ll mention if you feel like you must go to either of them, but take it from me: They are overcrowded and less fun that boutique-hopping ;)

-Forum des Halles {101 Rue Berger, 1^er}

-Les Quatre Temps {15 Parvis de la Défense, 92092}

-Beaugrenelle (October 2013) {19 Rue Linois, 15^e}