Paris isn’t a cheap city, but let’s be honest, you’re not flying to the French capital just to see the Eiffel Tower and visit museums. There’s plenty of quality shopping here, and even though it’s pricey, you can still have fun shopping without selling a kidney. And like everywhere else, one of the best ways to save on shopping is to time your trip around the sales.
Summer and winter sales in Paris
French law allows retailers to hold sales twice a year. The discount percentages are fixed and increase gradually. In the first days of the sales, you’ll see discounts of around 30-40 percent, which later jump to 70 or even 80 percent. The catch is that the best selection is available at the start, before the rush, but the discounts are smaller then. You’ll have to weigh that tradeoff yourself, and honestly, it usually comes down to your travel dates anyway, so just enjoy the sales and don’t overthink it.
Sale dates in Paris
Winter sale in Paris: January 6–February 2, 2027. | Summer sale in Paris: June 23–July 20, 2027
These sales aren’t just an empty promise. The prices are genuinely worth it if you’re after something beautiful and original, but you’ll need plenty of patience, stamina and strong legs for the browsing. At first, while the best merchandise is still available, things are fairly orderly, but as the sale wears on, the chaos sets in: clothes get piled up and shoes end up scattered everywhere. That’s just part of the experience, so plan for the mess.
On the first day of the sales, Galeries Lafayette gets a quarter of a million visitors and records 150,000 purchases. That’s a huge crowd, with lines, pushing and shoving. It’s not for everyone, but if you love a good sale, you’ll enjoy the buzz.
Department stores and shopping centers for sales in Paris
Now that we know the best dates for shopping in Paris, it’s time to run through the main department stores and shopping centers of the City of Light and see what you can find there:
Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette in Paris is one of the most famous and lavish department stores in the world. You’ll find a wide range of products there, including designer clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, beauty products, home decor items and more. On the ground floor are the luxury boutiques of brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior. On the upper floors you’ll find contemporary brands like Zara, Maje and Sandro, along with a gourmet food hall.
During the sale periods, Galeries Lafayette offers significant discounts on a wide range of items. The sales include discounts of up to 70% on pieces from previous seasons, so you can find excellent deals on clothing, shoes, bags and more.
Galeries Lafayette also offers unique experiences, such as a panoramic view of Paris from the rooftop.
Galeries Lafayette in Paris has many floors, each focused on a different type of product. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find on each one:
- Ground floor: On the ground floor, also known as Espace Luxe, you’ll find the luxury boutiques of brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci. This is the floor for anyone looking for luxury goods and high fashion.
- First floor: Here you’ll find women’s clothing from contemporary and international brands like Maje and Sandro. It’s the ideal floor for fashionable, up-to-date shopping.
- Second floor: The second floor focuses on fashion accessories, shoes and bags. You’ll find a wide selection of shoes from top brands like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and more. The air is filled with the smell of freshly roasted coffee from the Joe and the Juice café, so you can also grab a quick pick-me-up if you need one.
- Third floor: This floor carries men’s clothing from various brands, including both elegant and everyday wear. Brands like Ralph Lauren, Armani and Zara are here. Look for the pink neon sign of Le Good Spot, which specializes in sustainable fashion.
- Fourth floor: The fourth floor is dedicated to kids and babies. You’ll find clothing, toys and baby products from a range of brands.
- Fifth floor: This floor houses the beauty, makeup and perfume departments. You’ll find brands like Lancôme, Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.
- Sixth floor: The home decor department, including furniture, kitchenware, home textiles, stationery and more. This floor also has delicatessens and restaurants, for anyone getting hungry.
- Seventh floor, the rooftop: A wonderful view over Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.
At Christmas, the Galeries Lafayette window displays are a dazzling sight, and during the sale period you can enjoy discounts of 40%-70% toward the end of the sale season. As a tourist, you’re entitled to a tax refund if your purchase total exceeds 100 euros, which makes your shopping even cheaper.
Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann
Opening hours: Monday through Saturday: 09:30–20:30, Sunday: 11:00–20:00.
Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV)
Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville, better known by its abbreviation BHV, is one of the largest and most famous department stores in Paris, located in the heart of the Marais, right next to the Paris city hall.
At BHV you’ll find a wide range of products:
- Ground floor: On the ground floor you’ll find the cosmetics and perfume department, with leading brands like Chanel, Dior, Lancôme and more. There’s also a large home goods department with kitchenware and home decor accessories.
- First floor: The first floor focuses on fashionable clothing for women and men. Leading brands like Maje and Sandro are here, alongside other international brands. The shoe and fashion accessories department is also on this floor.
- Second floor: Here you’ll find the toy department, stationery, and children’s products. There’s also an entire department dedicated to DIY supplies and tools.
- Upper floors: The upper floors are dedicated to furniture and home decor. Here you’ll find a variety of furniture, lighting, and storage solutions.
During the sale periods, BHV offers substantial discounts across a wide range of products. These discounts can reach up to 70% on items from previous seasons, making the store a sought-after destination for both locals and tourists.
During the sales, many departments in the store participate in the discounts, including fashion, home goods, cosmetics, and toys. You can also find special deals on products from leading brands and prestigious French labels.
BHV offers a special shopping experience, not only because of its wide product range but also thanks to its excellent service and carefully designed store. Shoppers can enjoy a range of services, including personalized interior design consultations, home delivery, and art and craft workshops.
Address: 36 Rue de la Verrerie
Opening hours: Monday through Saturday: 10:00–20:00, Sunday: 11:00–19:00.
Sephora
Sephora on the Champs-Élysées in Paris is one of the largest and most lavish cosmetics stores in the city. The store spans three floors and is a must-visit for anyone who loves skincare, makeup and a bit of pampering.
What can you find at Sephora on the Champs-Élysées?
- A range of brands: The store offers a wide variety of leading international brands in makeup, skincare and perfume, including Lancôme, Jimmy Choo, JLo Beauty, L’Oréal, Mara, Mizani, Prada and others.
- Exclusive products: You’ll find exclusive products not sold elsewhere, including special collections and collaborations with leading brands.
- Special services: Sephora on the Champs-Élysées offers personalized beauty consultations, makeup workshops, and quick facial treatments.
- Innovation: The store has interactive customer experience zones, including smart mirrors that let you try on makeup virtually.
Address: 70-72 Av. des Champs-Élysées
Opening hours: Wednesday through Monday: 10:00–23:30. Closed on Tuesdays.
Louis Vuitton
The Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Élysées is a pilgrimage site during the sales. Everyone lines up, patiently and in perfect order, just to get their hands on the iconic brand. If you’re interested, be prepared to wait two hours or more, depending on the day and the discount. The winter sales at Louis Vuitton are a great opportunity to buy designer pieces firsthand.
Address: 101 Av. des Champs-Élysées
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00–20:00. Thursday: 10:00–18:00, Sunday: 11:00–19:00.
La Vallée Village Outlet
Outlets offer discounts and sales not just during the Soldes period in Paris. The large La Vallée Village outlet is just a short trip from Paris (less than an hour’s drive from the city, and about 10 minutes from Disneyland Paris), and you’ll find excellent shopping opportunities there. It has outlet boutiques for all the biggest Paris brands, sold at a discount of at least 30% year round. Of course, you can bring the price down even further with tax refunds, which also apply to purchases made at outlet stores.
This outlet has 120 boutique stores, including famous brands like Armani, Balenciaga, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chloé, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Montblanc and more. There are also brand stores for kids. La Vallée Village also has an app you can download. The outlet is open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The outlet is about an hour’s drive from central Paris, and if you want to treat yourself, you’re welcome to take the special shuttle bus, which will take you there and bring you back after a delightful shopping excursion.
Address: 3 Cr de la Garonne, 77700 Serris, France
Phone: +33160423500
Want to read more about shopping in Paris?
Feel free to check out Yoel Thamanlis’s article, Shopping in Paris: The Complete Guide, where you’ll find info on all the best stores in every arrondissement of Paris.
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