404 Best Places to Shop in France

Take a cue from superstar chef Paul Bocuse and shop at the market stalls of Lyon's most extensive and vibrant food market, named after its legendary chef.

This deeply Provençal boutique, known for its beautiful cotton textiles and smart tailoring, has been dressing elegant men and women, kids, and cowboys, since 1938. The colorful prints are original 18th- and 19th-century designs from the manufacturer's archives. You'll also find a range of quality accessories, home goods, and fabrics sold by the meter.

The "Oeil de Sainte Lucie," the small plate that closes a mollusk's shell, can be found here in pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets. Natural Corsican stones are also showcased at this friendly boutique.

Within the shadow of the church of St-Michel, a few blocks south of the Pont de Pierre and just off the river, one of the country's largest flea markets operates every second Sunday during the months of March, June, September, and December—all day long. Year-round, a weekly Sunday flea market is also held here, which is just the ticket if you're looking for real bargains away from the storefronts (although you'll need a discerning eye to pick out the good stuff from the real junk) or if you just need a nice excuse to explore the historic St-Michel quarter.

This small flea market is a hit with the fashion and design set. It specializes in easily portable items (like textiles or clothing) and collectible objects that include books, posters, postcards, and glassware. With tables sprawling along both sides of the sidewalk, there's an extravagant selection—just be sure to bargain with vendors. It's open only on weekends from 8 am to 2 pm, but come early for the real deals as good stuff goes fast.

This is Lyon’s go-to place for anything and everything antique and vintage. Here you can browse for French keepsakes and a wide selection of vintage clothing and accessories from among 500 exhibitors. If you go for the 7 am opening, or stay until closing at 1 pm, you can grab breakfast or lunch at one of the authentic cafés or a gourmet brasserie. It's open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Since 1902, this candy maker has been delighting gourmands of all ages with the delicious rigolette, a thin shell of steamed sugar lightly frosted and filled with natural fruit pulp. You'll also find a range of traditional sweets and specialty chocolates packed in sachets or beautiful signature boxes for the perfect gift.

A modern, three-story, glass-and-steel structure—one of three shopping centers along the restored harbor in La Joliette—houses 160 of the best-loved French clothing chains, such as Petit Bâteau, Comptoir des Cotonniers, and the Marseille-based American Vintage, as well as a branch of Le Printemps department store. Refuel in one of the cafés, or head to the rooftop terrace, where you can have a drink or meal while watching cruise ships sail off to Corsica.

One-stop shopping for all your beverage needs, this lovely wineshop is just a few blocks north of the Place de la Republique and stocks vintages from around the country, often from small producers. There's also a nice selection of French spirits. For those looking for a deeper understanding of the grape, regular workshops and tastings are held by the owner.

Under these graceful vaulted arches, built in the 1850s as part of the Sainte Marie de la Major cathedral and now incorporated into one of La Joliette's three new shopping complexes, you'll find lovely cafés and shops, including the design giant Habitat; French perfumer Fragonard; and chocolatier L'Espérantine, specializing in chocolates made with olive oil. The superb Les Halles de la Major gourmet food court has a tempting variety of foods for snacks, meals, or coffee breaks, which you can enjoy indoors or on the wide outdoor terrace with superb views of the J4 Pier and the harbor. Check the website for details on the weekly program of arts events.

Dating to 1520s Venice, this venerable bookstore opened in Paris in 1801 and was the first to specialize in English-language books. Its present location, across from the Tuileries Garden on Rue de Rivoli, opened in 1856, and the wooden bookshelves, creaking floors, and hushed interior provide the perfect atmosphere for perusing Paris's best collection of contemporary and classic greats in English and French, plus a huge selection of gorgeous art books.

Embodying easy Italian style, Loro Piana created handmade accessories and exquisite cashmere that were so popular, they branched out into irresistible, classic separates in luxury fabrics with a delicious frisson of trendiness. Everything here is swoon-worthy, especially the prices, which are in the stratosphere.

This concept store exhibits the works of artists and designers in a space as creative as the treasures on display.

You have to hand it to the French: they even do secondhand fashion right. Steps away from the Hôtel Negresco, Mademoiselle is a must-stop shop in Nice. Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès—you name it, the gang's all here, at least in vintage terms. In addition to luxury-brand clothes, there are shoes, bags, and belts—all of it excellently priced and gorgeously displayed by owner Sephora Louis.

This is the only hatmaker in Paris where you can see jaunty cloches, fedoras, and flat-topped straw boaters being made with centuries-old techniques in an on-site atelier. Classic models in straw, wool, rabbit felt, or silk in a huge range of colors come in a dozen styles, from a charming pillbox to an elegant wide-brim model so light and graceful it could easily pair with an evening suit or wedding gown.

The venerable house of Henri Auer has been selling chocolate and candied fruit since 1820.

The most picturesque shop specializing in calissons is the venerable bakery Béchard, founded in 1870.

This is a one-stop shop for everything from chic housewares, Savon de Marseille, and candles scented with local essential oils to jewelry, clothing, and accessories. You can also buy the house wines and freshly pressed olive oils (no longer pressed on the premises but just outside of town) in any size or container.

Until you've eased on an exquisite pair of gloves handcrafted by Fabre, you probably haven't experienced the sensation of having a second skin far superior to your own. Founded in 1924, this historic gantier is known for styles ranging from classic to haute: picture elbow-length croc leather, coyote-fur mittens, and peccary driving gloves.

At this family-owned confectioner, renowned for Provençal sweets since 1948, you can sample all the regional favorites, including candied fruits (a specialty of the Vaucluse since Roman times), cakes and small pastries, chocolates, calissons d’Aix, guimauves (flavored marshmallows), and more. The charming on-site café also serves tea or coffee, along with savory lunch dishes.

Looking for that jaunty little French beret, casque, or cap? Since 1840, this quintessentially French brand has been the go-to place for top-of-the-line French-made hats in luxury fabrics (cashmere, lambswool) and stylish colors that will last a lifetime.

This famously elusive Belgian designer has earned a devoted following for his avant-garde styling and his innovative technique, from spiraling seams to deconstructed shirts.

The longtime local favorite boulangerie–patisserie is the best place to buy yet another of Nîmes's many specialties: the jaw-breaking croquant, a confection made with roasted almonds and caramelized sugar.

This Aix institution since 1954 is chock-full of sweets that look good enough to immortalize in a still life, let alone eat. Its version of the iconic Provençal calisson is hands down the best around.

Wearing a Majestic cashmere-cotton blend T-shirt, dress, cardigan, or blazer is like spending the day cocooned in your favorite jammies. Fans have been known to buy five pairs of the silky-soft leggings in one go, just to be sure they never run out. The fact that you'll look totally stylish is the icing on the cake.

Paris's largest market is as much an event as a place to shop. Blocks of specialized stalls—including ones devoted to rare wines, regional cheeses, game, seafood, and flowers—cater to scores of Parisian chefs and epicures. It's open Thursday and Sunday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.

In front of the town hall, meander through myriad stalls selling everything from local cheeses to charcuterie, oils, and other fine Corsican gastronomic products every weekend.