26 Best Places to Shop in France

The city's major marché biologique, or organic market, is on Boulevard Raspail between Rue du Cherche-Midi and Rue de Rennes. Bursting with fresh produce, baked items, and eco-friendly products, it's open every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. A very delicious nonorganic market operates at this location on Tuesday and Friday, from 8 am to 2 pm.

With more than 100 stalls, Nîmes's central covered market is an excellent spot to stock up on all the area's gastronomic specialties: crisp PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) picholine olives and olive oil, anchoïade (a heady mix of anchovies crushed with garlic and olive oil), Pélardons goat cheeses from nearby Cévennes, and Costières de Nîmes wines.  For deeply satisfying regional cuisine—think brandade or taureau (bull's meat) with Camargue rice—and the convivial company of locals, head to Halles Auberge, which is open daily for lunch.

One of Paris's oldest and most colorful market streets, with its roots in the 12th century, still harbors addresses that hark back to the 18th century. To get the full effect, start at Rue Réaumur, and walk this cobbled pedestrian street all the way to the Forum des Halles, past shops displaying every French delicacy, from cheese and chocolate to oysters and pastry, interspersed with bustling cafés. Stop in at Société des Huîtres d'Étretat (1777), at Nos. 61–63, purveyors of oysters to Marie-Antoinette, or grab a divine pastry at Stohrer (1730) at No. 51.

Once a sordid spot where grifters convened to count the daily take, this minuscule street, tucked away in the up-and-coming Sentier neighborhood in arrondissement 2e, is now foodie central. It all began with the Frenchie empire—takeout, wine bar, and gastronomic restaurant—then their suppliers followed. Now, the cobbled street is lined with chic eateries and purveyors of everything from fresh fish and fruits to tempting breads and pastries, and boasts one of Paris's best gourmet coffee shops (L'Arbre à Café, No. 10).

Strasbourg's fabled Christmas market is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 300 chalets installed throughout the city center starting from late November to Christmas Eve. Dating back to 1570, it is the oldest Christmas market in France. The largest number of stands are on Place Broglie as well as around the cathedral. Wander among the wooden chalets peddling pretty local crafts and holiday baubles until you arrive at the Place Kléber, where you'll be dazzled by the giant Christmas tree.

Fishermen display their catches of sea bream, scorpion fish, octopus, and more at this lively, covered market that's held Thursday through Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.

A Saturday-morning flea and antiques market is held in the Halle du Castelviel.

With a history that dates back to the 16th century, the Marché St-Germain has undergone many transformations in its lifetime. The current structure of stone arcades, which wrap around an entire city block, was built in 1817. The ground floor of this elegant complex is now home to an Apple store, a Uniqlo, and an appetizing grocery store that connects to a gourmet food court called the marché couvert St-Germain, an indoor space for epicureans. This indoor market is home to greengrocers, a fishmonger, a cheesemonger, a butcher, a florist, and a number of international food stalls. It's open every day except Monday.

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.

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 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.

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.

Farmers' markets (which often include clothing and household goods) run nearly every day, but the largest are held Friday morning on Place St-Sauveur and Sunday morning on Place Courtonne. In March and November, around 100 collectors and dealers flock to Les Puces Caennaises, Caen's bric-a-brac and antiques fair, at the Parc des Expositions (entry €5).

Built in 1799, the city's oldest extant arcade has become a foodie paradise, with no fewer than a dozen gourmet destinations, including Racines, Alstair, Caffé Sterne, and Coinstot Vino wine bar.

This passage is full of eclectic shops selling toys, Asian furnishings, cinema posters, and more. Pain d'Épices, at No. 29, specializes in dollhouse decor.

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.

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.

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 permanent covered market is at the heart of the city and puts on a mouthwatering show of olives, fresh fish, cheeses, and produce.