The word "shopping" has been almost universally associated with France, making it one of the few countries in the world to achieve this distinction. From charming farmer's markets in sleepy little towns to glittering ultra-luxury flagship stores on the Champs-Elysées, Paris has something for everyone. Are you looking for some ideas on how to shop in France to the fullest and want some extras? This guide is meant to help you get the most out of your shopping in France experience.
The good news is that taxes have already been included in all prices, so there's no need to calculate any additional outlays on top of the listed price!
Depending on what you are buying, the fees can range anywhere from 5.5 percent all the way up to 20 percent. However, if you are a tourist from a country outside the European Union, you may be able to purchase tax free or deducted VAT. This is especially true if you wish to buy pricey products in places that are popular with tourists.
Shopping In France
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A trip to France is a necessity for the pickiest shopper because it is home to some of the world's finest boutiques. It sells everything from the most exquisite examples of haute couture to fragrances, wines, and cheeses, among other things. To add insult to injury, shopping in France is unlike shopping everywhere else. On the contrary, it is a serious endeavor that needs one's undivided concentration and, yes, some flair.
Let's start with Paris, one of the most attractive cities in France, where the shops are so integral to the city's character that they're often called "the soul of Paris." Bordeaux is our next destination; it is most famous as a wine-producing region, but it also has many other attractions.
1. Participate Parisian Best Shopping
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French fashion houses and designers are household names around the world, and when most people think of Paris, they picture high fashion items from those labels. But the fact that they are so prohibitively expensive cannot be denied. The hint is very useful. The best way for thrifty consumers to get a feel for what's in style to the fullest is to do some window shopping at some of the world's most renowned fashion houses. Then you should check out the local markets and discount stores to find alternatives to your desired items at much more reasonable prices.
You can save time by shopping for all of your favorite designer labels at once in one of France's enormous department stores. Two of Paris's most prominent department shops, Les Grands Magasins Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, share a building on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. It can take many days to investigate them completely. When you go shopping, you can feel motivated to overspend on the products that are the glitziest or most spectacular among those that are available in the store.
If you want to get the most out of your shopping experience in Paris, you should travel to one of the city's lesser-known attractions, such as the galleries or tunnels. These glass-roofed shopping malls have been around since the 19th century. They ooze charisma and can convert even the gloomiest days into moments of passion and discovery.
Remember that the vast majority of Parisian shops are closed on Sundays, and make your shopping plans accordingly. However, there is no need to be concerned because any one of the city's numerous flea markets will provide a satisfying alternative shopping experience.
2. Walk-in Annecy Flea Market
On the final Saturday of every month, the town hosts its flea market, so if you're planning a trip there, you're in for a real treat. Professional vendors and artisans from all over the world have traveled here to promote their things, which include works of art, handmade goods, apparel, and a wide variety of antiques and curiosities. Due to the fact that the booths are spread out across the entire town, surrounding the streets and canals, the process of shopping resembles more of a walking tour than anything else. If you're on the hunt for some old wooden skis, a one-of-a-kind painting, or some repurposed furniture, you'll find it all here.
Store browsing may be thirsty and hungry work, so stock up on snacks and liquids before you set out. If the weather is nice enough (or if you don't mind the cold! ), a picnic on the waterfront of Lac d'Annecy will be a meal you won't soon forget, as the vista of the crystal-clear waters offset by the backdrop of the Alps is a view that is sure to stick with you. If the weather isn't great enough (or if you don't mind the cold! ), a picnic on the waterfront of Lac d'Ann In the event that you find the temperature to be excessively low, there are a number of wonderful restaurants on this town that give delectable regional cuisine; alternatively, you can take a stroll along the beach of the lake and take in the beauty.
3. Shop through Montpellier's gorgeous architecture
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If you find yourself in Languedoc, you must see this bustling metropolis. You probably wouldn't think of Montpellier as one of the best places to go shopping in France, but if you come here with that goal in mind, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the number of options you have. Place de la Comedie is a massive square in the heart of Montpellier's commercial center and a must-see for any visitor. Amazing buildings of various architectural styles surround the area, and the surrounding shopping streets are filled with unique stores and boutiques.
4. Retail Therapy in Bordeaux
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Bordeaux is certainly one of the most well-kept shopping secrets in all of Europe. You'll find some of the most known brand names in the world within the gorgeous charm of the city: Cartier and Rolex for watches, Hermes and Christian Lacroix for textiles and costumes, Louis Vuitton for luggage, Mont Blanc for pens, and the list go on and on.
Possibly the longest pedestrian-only street in the world can be found in Bordeaux, France. Elegant Place de la Comedie is linked to the nearby student district of Rue St. Catherine and the Place de la Victoire. In addition, the entire length of it is bordered by some of the most famous retail outlets in the country.
Central Bordeaux's business center is known as the Golden Triangle, a name that is both apt and descriptive. This triangle is home to some of the most popular shopping districts.
5. Walk in Flemish-style Lille
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Lille is the type of area that offers a wide variety of options for vacationers who would like to do some shopping while they are in town since the town is famous for its buildings in the Flemish style, which make for a magnificent backdrop to the different boutiques in its downtown. This northern French town has a rich history and is frequently visited by travelers keen on seeing something other than the country's major best cities. There is a huge and diverse selection of stores, and the area is always lively and fun to explore throughout the holiday season. In the wintertime, visitors from all across northern Europe go to Lille to enjoy the city's famous Christmas market.
6. Parisian Galeries Lafayette for food shopping
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Located on the bustling Boulevard Haussmann in the heart of the city, the Galeries Lafayette flagship store and department store is a must-see. It encompasses more than 750,000 square feet and sells a variety of things, such as clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, homewares, food, and electrical equipment. The beauty department is located on the ground and first levels, and it sells the finest perfumes and cosmetics created in France by names such as Guerlain, Hermès, and Lancôme. World-famous fashion houses such as Armani and Louis Vuitton, as well as Burberry and Kenzo, are represented on the second and third floors, which are dedicated to men's and women's fashion, respectively.
You can read the book collection on the sixth level, or you can stroll to the souvenir section, where you'll find well-known Parisian sights replicated as keychains, mugs, and magnets. Across Boulevard Haussman, Lafayette Maison and Gourmet has everything a home could need, from fine table linens and silverware to scented candles and decorative lighting. In addition to the classic French gastronomy, there is also a wine cellar, a designer chocolate shop, and an elegant bakery.
7. Shopping in Monoprix
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The quality of Monoprix's merchandise, which vary from everyday grocery to its fashion line and homewares, is among the company's strongest aspects, despite the fact that the chain's prices tend to be on the pricier end price spectrum. A wonderful place for shopping for all sorts of things, from the necessities like food and wine to the more luxurious items like shoes and makeup.
8. Exquisite scenery and opulent retail in Boulevard Saint-Germain
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Boulevard Saint-Germain is home to a shopping district that feels beautifully fitting for the Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, and Musée d'Orsay, the great emblems of the 7th arrondissement. Famous fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, and Karl Lagerfeld have flagship stores on Boulevard Saint-Germain, which are also noted for their superb home decor and gourmet food offerings.
The entire length of Boulevard Saint-Germain, from the Pont de Sully to the Pont de la Concorde, is lined by trees and old buildings. The westernmost section of the street passes through the Latin Quarter. Beautiful markets, fashion boutiques, and prestigious bookstores like Shakespeare & Company and the Mouffetard Market may all be found in this neighborhood.
9. Shopping in Cannes
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Shopping may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cannes, but even the most hesitant French shopper will like the selection and prices on offer in this renowned Riviera city.
What's more, you don't even need to leave the ocean behind; all you have to do is take a stroll along the Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, which runs along the coastline and allow yourself to become diverted by the many businesses and cafes that are located along the road.
10. Shopping in Grand Frais
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Maybe grocery stores aren't the first place you think of when you need new clothes, but many of them sell more than just perishables. There is a prevalent notion that you cannot buy clothes of decent quality in supermarkets.
Supermarket chain Grand Frais first opened its doors in France in 1992. It is recognized for its large assortment of fresh products and essential requirements sourced from all around the world.
The layout of a Grand Frais supermarket is comparable to that of a covered market. These supermarkets each have five unique categories, including fruit and vegetables, consumables from around the world, butchers, fishmongers, and dairy items. In addition, the butcher shops and dairy areas of Grand Frais stores are often operated by competent locals.
Because there is only one Grand Frais supermarket in Belgium in addition to 216 in France, it is a matter of chance as to whether or not there is a Grand Frais location conveniently close to where you reside.
There is not a Grand Frais in the city of Paris, but there is one in the suburb of Fresnes, which is located in the southern portion of the Paris metropolitan region.
If you want to maximize your shopping experience, you shouldn't limit yourself to just a few bunches of shops. Walk around the whole streets, instead. Get up and walk about the room. You might uncover a truly remarkable item in that part of the store. Don't be bashful about checking out the goods in the adjacent aisle. If you only shop in one sector, you can miss out on a fantastic bargain that is stashed away in another. This adaptive way of purchasing may also be relevant to your financial situation: You can discover that a particular category of clothes is cheap in one department but not in another, depending on where you walk in the store. You can also shop around in different places to get the finest bargains on products that are on sale.
