13 Best Places to Shop in Paris, France

After working with Pierre Hermé and at top palace hotels, Claire Damon opened her own pastry shop that translates to "Cakes and Bread," a simple name that downplays her artistic sophistication. Descended from a long line of accomplished chefs, Damon understands that the best results are produced with the finest ingredients. Her exquisite pastries and breads, made with carefully acquired, often organic ingredients are mouthwatering works of art. The individual fruit tarts are almost too beautiful to eat, but you'll be glad you did.

Join Paris's chefs and head for G. Detou (get it, j'ai de tout—I have everything), just off the wonderful Marché Montorgeuil, for an absolutely astounding range of baking staples, nuts, chocolate, canned rarities, and other French and European delicacies. Basically, a bit of, well . . . everything.

This institution opened in 1730, thanks to Louis XV's Polish bride, who couldn't bear to part with her pastry chef and thus brought Nicholas Stohrer along with her to Paris. Today, it has all the to-die-for pastries that made the bakery's name, including the famous baba au rhum that originated here, as well as a tantalizing range of other sweets, breads, and savory prepared foods to go.

This shop has been at the heart of the Parisian locavore movement since 2008, when it began uniting innovative chefs with small local producers. Today, Terroirs d'Avenir also caters to individuals, with no fewer than five shops on the tiny Rue du Nil: a bakery (No. 3), butcher shop (No. 6), cheesemonger (No. 8), greengrocer (No. 7), and fishmonger (No. 8). Even if you're not planning a purchase, the picturesque cobbled street is worth a stop for a photo op.

Lille-based pâtissier Frédéric Vaucamps riffed on an 18th-century cake recipe called the “merveilleux” and found himself at the helm of a Europe-wide empire. His version of the meringue-based confection replaced the traditional butter cream for an ethereal dome of whipped ganache in modern flavors like praline, speculoos, rose, and coffee feathered with white or dark chocolate shavings. The merveilleux come in four sizes—the smallest can be boxed for gifts. There are also brioches and breakfast pastries and the traditional Lille gauffres, delectable cream-filled waffles. You’ll know his boutique by the giant, glittering chandelier and lines snaking down the sidewalk.

Customers swoon over the 50-some wildly delicious jam flavors at this artisan shop specializing in homemade confitures (jams) that change with the seasons: black currant–jasmine or apricot-lavender in summer; in winter, chestnut-pear-tonka bean or carrot–passion fruit; and spring strawberry–cherry blossom or raspberry-violet. You’ll also find jellies to accompany cheeses (champagne-rosé; port wine), and sublime caramel, nut, and chocolate spreads. Design-your-own gift boxes are the perfect way to bestow these beautifully packaged gourmet, oh-so-Parisian flavors. All products are made on the premises in the Viaduc des Arts, and you can watch the chefs in action in the glassed-in kitchens.

This is Paris’s one-stop-shop for all things Italian—cheeses, charcuterie, fresh and dried pasta, olive oil, sauces, pastries, wines—you name it, it’s here. There’s also a restaurant, café, and two wine bars on the premises. On weekends it’s teeming with neighborhood foodies, so best to go in the morning or linger at apéro hour over specialty olives and a glass of wine.

This place isn't called the épicerie du monde for nothing. Izraël is a one-stop shop for any spice under the sun, plus those hard-to-find items you'd otherwise spend days tracking down. Bins overflowing with every variety of candied fruit, nuts, beans, olives, pickles, and preserved fish give this tiny shop the air of an exotic bazaar. You'll also find all manner of canned goods, candies, rare spirits, and baking necessities.

Cheese fans will fall in love with this little shop steps from Les Cave du Louvre, a wine cellar run by the same team. The open plan of the fromagerie allows shoppers to get up close and personal with a wide range of cheeses, from time-tested favorites like Comté and Brie to house specialties like peat whiskey–aged tomme de Savoie. And unlike many other Parisian cheese shops, it's open on Monday. The shop also offers customizable picnic boxes for one to four people that feature a selection of cheeses and charcuterie.

The first Paris offshoot of the famous patisserie and tea salon in Lille (one of France's oldest) specializes in the gauffre, a delicate waffle handmade in the original 19th-century molds and wrapped in gilt-paper packages. Native to Belgium and northern France, Méert's version is treasured for its light cream center perfumed with Madagascar vanilla. There are also chocolates, pastries, and flavored guimauves, the airy French marshmallows.

After years of working with the best and brightest in the Paris pastry world, superstar Christophe Michalak is now opening boutiques, writing books, and promoting his skills. His signature pastries are smooth, eye-popping ovals of glazed perfection, whether the bright orange mango mousse with crunchy textures or the green pistachio coconut version. If you're less adventurous, the small vanilla cake is rich and flavorful.

Pierre Hermé might just be Paris's most renowned pâtissier, and this shop sells his peerless cakes and macarons along with many chocolate delights (classic varieties, like the dark-chocolate and orange-rind batons, are perennial favorites). Try the delicate Cheesecake Satine, made with passion fruit and orange marmalade. You can also sample his creations at several cafés throughout St-Germain-des-Prés.

The gorgeous, delicate pastry creations made by Japanese-born Sadaharu Aoki are a delightful mix of traditional French with his signature Asian flavor and design touches. Look for green tea, black sesame, and yuzu versions of updated classics like éclairs, mille-feuille, and other elegant baked goods, as well as artfully presented colorful batons of chocolate.