4 Best Places to Shop in France

One of La Joliette's three new quayside shopping centers, Les Docks Village consists of six massive shipping warehouses, each restored by a notable architect, to create stylish, upbeat commercial spaces. The one-of-a-kind shops here sell everything from beauty products, jewelry, clothes, and accessories to housewares, art, and sporting goods—all with a focus on great design. Picturesque cafés and restaurants, several with outdoor terraces, round out the offerings.

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.

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.

This sprawling, designer-focused shopping village on the outskirts of Troyes (take D677 towards Châlons-en-Champagne) includes over 100 boutiques. The open-air shopping mall hosts premium shops along with picnic areas, green spaces, eateries, and a Champagne bar. Top brands include Polo Ralph Lauren, Boss, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfeld, Nike, and Levi’s.