404 Best Places to Shop in France

This gorgeous historic covered gallery, completed in 1843, is one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant passages (the first shopping malls) in Europe. It now hosts dozens of boutiques, including bookstores, art galleries, clothing, jewelry, and much more.

Across from Passage Jouffroy, Passage Verdeau has shops carrying antique cameras, comic books, and engravings. Au Bonheur des Dames, at No. 8, has all things embroidery.

Do not hesitate to run for that taxi in a pair of superchic pumps, flats, or booties from Patricia Blanchet, which are neither too high nor too low but just the right height. Though the designer doesn't swerve from her five or six basic styles, her beautifully hued leathers, including metallics and exotic skins like pony and stingray, change with the season. Booties may come with metallic piping or colorful insets and cutouts, and are cut low for a sexy peek at the ankle.

Paris's bad-boy chocolatier likes to shock with provocative shapes and wicked humor, but it all tastes sinfully good. He designs every detail in his shops, including the presentation tables and futuristic decor. The Boulevard St-Germain shop, his very first, is one of three in the neighborhood and seven citywide. The other two nearby are at  19 rue de Sevres and  2–4 pl. St-Sulpice.

A local favorite in the old part of town, Philippe Olivier's family has been collecting, refining, and trading pungent rounds of cheese for three generations. The shop's inventory is huge, with almost 300 types, some resurrected from old recipes.

With Vivier and Louboutin, Pierre Hardy completes the triumvirate of anointed Paris shoe designers. Armed with a pedigree—Dior, Hermès, Balenciaga—Hardy opened his own boutique in 2003 and made serious waves. The luxe bags are ever popular, and the shoes are unmistakable: sky-scraping platforms and wedges or demure kitten heels double as sculpture with breathtaking details and luscious colors.

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.

Sourcing his star ingredient from independent farmers, Pierre Marcolini proves it's all in the bean. His specialty saveurs du monde ("flavors of the world") collection of Belgian chocolates are each made with a single cacao from a single location, such as Madagascar or Ecuador—thus, each has a distinct flavor.

A good, if somewhat pricey, place to stock up on pastries, preserved meats, and wines. It has expanded to become a mini-chain, with locations selling gourmet prepared foods at 8 place Bellecour, 48 rue Vendôme, and 42 rue de la République. The tearoom is at this address.

The aorta of the village, connecting with Rue Gambetta and Rue Allard, this square overflows with regional produce and foodstuffs, as well as clothing and brocantes (secondhand items), every Tuesday and Saturday morning.

Pom d'Api lines up footwear for babies and young children in quality leathers and vivid colors. Expect well-made, eye-catching fashion—bright fuchsia sneakers and leopard suede boots, as well as classic Mary Janes in shades of silver, pink, and gold. There are also utility boots, sandals, and sturdy rain gear.

Prada spins gold out of fashion straw. Knee-length skirts, peacock colors, cardigan sweaters, geometric prints: the waiting lists cross continents. Shoes, bags, and other accessories for men and women perennially become cult items.

The owners of Pretty Box have scoured Europe for unique pieces from the '20s through the '80s. Women love the superstylish belts, shoes, and bags—many in reptile—sold here for a fraction of what they'd cost new, along with an eccentric selection of cool separates and Bettie Page–era lingerie. The men's collection includes vintage French military coats, sharkskin suits, and a gaggle of riotously patterned shirts.

This is the Lyon outpost of the famous Parisian department store specializing in fashions for men and women.

For all things lavender—and not just any lavender—heat to this shop. It has the best AOC essential oil (it must be from flowers that grow above 2,600 feet) from the famous Château de Bois, plus a range of top-quality soaps, body lotions, and other fine cosmetics made with lavender essential oil.

Rose Repetto, mother of Roland Petit, started making ballet slippers for her dancer-choreographer son in the 1940s. She soon became the dance-slipper maker of choice for the choreographers and dancers of le tout Paris. Along the way, she created Brigitte Bardot's signature ballerina shoes and Zizi Jeanmarie's jazz shoes, which are still popular today and sold in a rainbow of colors. For a price and by appointment, you can customize any one of their classic models. Repetto has branched out to making boots, leather handbags, and clothes, but still specializes in ready-to-dance and custom-made ballet and pointe footwear.

This is the place for charcuterie. Look for the wonderful array of sausages hanging in the front window.

Founded in 1925 by Joseph Richart, these fine chocolates have evolved into tiny works of art, now created by the founder's son and grandson. As the name implies, each tiny square of Richart chocolate is a colorful piece that dazzles the eye and elevates the palate. 

Rick Owens expertly finessed the jump from L.A. rock-star chic to Paris offbeat elegance. Lately defined more by glamour than grunge, his lush fabrics and asymmetrical designs have evolved to a new level of artistry—and wearability. Owens still loves a paradox (shrouding while revealing) and mixes high luxury with a bit of tooth and claw. You'll also find shoes, furs, jewelry, and accessories.

Long known for his Pilgrim-buckle shoes and inventive heels, Roger Vivier's name is being resurrected through the creativity of uber-Parisienne Inès de la Fressange and the expertise of shoe designer Gherardo Felloni. The results are easily some of the best shoes in town: leather boots that mold to the calf perfectly, towering rhinestone-encrusted or feathered platforms for evening, and vertiginous crocodile pumps.

You wear those strappy sandals back home, but are they the real sandales Tropeziennes? Here's your chance to pick up the genuine, handmade article at Rodini, St-Tropez's original cobbler, established in 1927.

To create its exceptional, all-natural candles, this Provence-based company sources sublime fragrances from Grasse and porcelain from Limoges. You’ll also find luxurious soaps, perfumes, and skin creams, as well as delightfully scented cards.

The streets around the cathedral, especially Rue du Parc, are full of shops selling woolen goods (notably thick marine sweaters). Also keep an eye out for such typical Breton products as woven and embroidered cloth, brass and wood objects, puppets, dolls, and locally designed jewelry. When it comes to distinctive Breton folk costumes, Quimper is the best place to look.

Near Parc Monceau, this is one of Paris's more vibrant and oldest market streets, dating back to the 1600s. Though some cut-rate boutiques lately encroached, you'll find plenty of the authentic good stuff, from cured Iberian ham to every French specialty under the sun.

This colorful market street near the Jardin des Plantes reflects its multicultural neighborhood: vibrant, with a laid-back feel that still smacks of old Paris. The street market is best on weekends (although it closes Sunday afternoon and Monday as well).

This shop specializes in fine wines and liquors, with port, Calvados, and Armagnacs that date from 1878. Looking for a great gift idea? Find a bottle from the year of a friend's birth and have it labeled with their name. Personalized bottles can be ordered and delivered on the same day.