Top 5 shopping tours in Paris

The city of Paris is recognized as the fashion and design capital of the world. It is also known for its antique stores, so get your wallet ready! Come with me on a shopping trip to Paris.

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

9 min read

Top 5 shopping tours in Paris

Gente haciendo fila | ©Melanie Pongratz

There are many things to see and do in Paris and, without a doubt, touring the city's exclusive stores, markets or antique stores on a shopping tour is the dream of many travelers.

No matter the size of your wallet or the balance of your bank account, in this article I will tell you what are the best shopping tours in Paris and you will see that there are options for all tastes and budgets.

1. Shopping day trip to La Vallée outlet store

girl watching stores| © Tristan Colangelo
girl watching stores| © Tristan Colangelo

La Vallée Village is an outdoor discount shopping center. There you can buy products from the best brands in the world such as Givenchy, Versace or Jimmy Choo at discounted prices. You will find clothes and accessories at super low prices because they are from previous collections.

The discounts are at least 33% and if you present your transport ticket to prove that you are doing the shopping tour you will get an extra 10% discount in three stores of your choice.

On this tour, you don't have to worry about transportation because you will be picked up and taken back to the center of Paris in a luxury air-conditioned bus.

You will have plenty of time to browse the stores and choose what to buy (morning or full afternoon). The price of the tour is around 28 euros.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: Around 28 euros per person
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Means of transport: air-conditioned bus
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to buy big brands at a discount
  • Disadvantages of this option: the trip to the shopping center lasts one hour

Book your shopping trip to La Vallée

2. St-Ouen flea market: bargain hunting in Paris

store on the street| ©Machicouly
store on the street| ©Machicouly

The St-Ouen Flea Market is the largest antique market in the world.

There you can find everything and at incredible prices. There are about 2200 stores to browse and you can buy from books to toys, literally everything. If you know antiques you might discover some hidden treasures during your tour. On this walking tour, you will be accompanied by a local guide who will show you the secret places that only the locals know and give you tips on how to bargain and get even better prices. The tour is for small groups, maximum 10 people, so you can make the most of the experience. The price of the tour is around 34 euros.

Traveller Tip

When the tour is over stay to continue touring the market on your own taking advantage of the guide's tips.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: around 34 euros
  • Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour
  • Advantages of this option: the guide knows the market very well and will give you useful tips
  • Disadvantages of this option: the time is short for everything you have to go through.

3. Paris: Shopping tour of Parisian clothing stores

Store entrance| ©annevallbona
Store entrance| ©annevallbona

Recommended if you are traveling with teenagers. On this tour, you will visit the most fashionable clothing and accessory stores for teenagers. You will visit stores that only the most fashionable Parisian teenagers know about. This is a tour that the youngest members of the family can do on their own (the guide is very attentive and helpful), while you do something else, like visiting some of the best museums in Paris. The youngest members of your group will be more than happy to know that this tour includes a map of the best places in Paris (secrets) so they can do their shopping independently for the rest of the trip. The tour lasts about three hours and costs approximately 145 euros.

Traveller Tip

While your kids are on this tour, take the opportunity to do something else that they might be bored with. Visit a museum of your interest, you have 3 hours of time for yourself!!!!

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: about 145 euros per person.
  • Duration: 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour.
  • Advantages of this option: it is designed for teenagers and it is in Spanish.
  • Disadvantages of this option: three hours may not be enough, but you can go deeper later on your own.

4. Paris: Customizable private tour

girl looking at clothes| © Kazuo ota
girl looking at clothes| © Kazuo ota

This is not exactly a shopping tour, but it can be transformed into a shopping tour tailored to your needs. This option is actually a 100% customizable tour with a duration of 2 to 6 hours depending on your preferences and time.

You can, if you wish, make a shopping tour and include other activities of your interest such as contemplating the best paintings of the Louvre Museum, which is precisely the meeting point with the guide. This is a private tour, just for you and your group, which allows you absolute freedom of action and the guide is just for you. The itinerary is organized by you and the guide, so you just tell him what kind of things you want to buy and he will surely tell you the best place to do it. The guide speaks Spanish and the tour has a basic price of about 47 euros per person, but it increases depending on the length of the tour you choose.

Details of interest of this tour

  • Price: starts at about 47 euros and increases depending on the time you choose.
  • Duration: from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the activities you intend to do.
  • Means of transportation: it is on foot, if you use public transportation for transfers, the ticket price is not included in the price.
  • Advantages of this option: it is a private tour tailored to your interests and those of your companions.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you may not have as much shopping advice as you can get on a specialized tour.

Book a personalized private tour of Paris

5. The chic and classic: Saint-Germain-des-Prés walking tour

view of the church| ©FRANCO600D
view of the church| ©FRANCO600D

On this tour, you will tour the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, which is located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris along the Seine River. You will learn about the history of this area, which dates back to medieval times, and you will visit its shopping and gastronomic area, which is very varied despite being a small neighborhood. You will be able to do some shopping and also taste some of the local delicacies. Tastings are included in the price of the tour. The price of this tour with tastings included is around 90 euros per person.

The tour has a duration of 2 and a half hours so after the tour you will have more than enough time to take advantage of being next to the river and take one of the best cruises on the Seine.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: about 90 euros per person.
  • Duration: 2 hours and a half.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour.
  • Advantages of this option: it is in English and you are close to the Seine.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the tour is limited to Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Book a tour of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris

Other options for shopping in Paris

people at the Galeries Lafayette| ©philip.denotto
people at the Galeries Lafayette| ©philip.denotto

But in addition to all these tours, if you are still not tired of shopping and want more ideas, I tell you more interesting areas where Parisian fashion awaits you:

A classic world-class shopping venue, the Galeries Lafayette in Paris

The Galeries Lafayette are synonymous with shopping and glamour. They have been known worldwide for decades and are a must-visit destination if you are in the city even if you don't even plan to go shopping. From the architecture to the decoration, everything is thought out and in excellent taste. Shopping at the Galeries Lafayette is also a status symbol so the prices you will find are not exactly low, but like all large shopping malls, they offer discounts at certain times of the year. When you visit the galleries keep in mind that the Opéra Garnier is very close, so you can pay a visit.

Details of interest of this tour

  • Price: no price because you are on your own
  • Duration: as long as you want until the galleries close
  • Means of transport: metro, bus, cab.
  • Advantages of this option: you decide everything about the tour you are going to do.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you are limited to one shopping spot.

Antiquites du Marche des Ternes one of the best antique stores in Paris

The Marche de Ternes is considered one of the best antique markets in Paris. If you are passionate about antiques and collectibles, you will find everything you can imagine and more. Marche des Ternes is located at 3 rue Faraday. The staff in charge of the store is highly trained and are experts in antiques, so in addition to shopping you can chat with them and ask whatever you need to know. There is a wide variety of objects, carefully selected and catalogued to make the shopping experience even more satisfying. As you can imagine, it is not a very cheap place, but it is worth a visit, especially if you are a fan of antique objects.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: if you go on your own, there is no cost other than the transportation to the place.
  • Duration: it depends on you.
  • Means of transportation: you can get there by bus or subway, there are stations nearby.
  • Advantages of this option: it is a place specialized in antiques.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it can be a bit expensive if you are on a tight budget.

Walk along the world's most famous avenue, the Champs-Élysées

The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous avenues in the world and although now many stores of major high fashion brands have moved to the neighboring Avenue Montaigne, still remain here the main houses of some of the most iconic fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, for example. The Champs Elysees along its more than 2 kilometers are a paradise for those who go to Paris for shopping, you can find everything you need in its glamorous stores. You can get to this avenue by metro, bus, cab, as you like because it is a neuralgic point of the city. If you are not sure how to get around Paris you can consult these tips to get around Paris, sure they will help you a lot.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: as it is a tour to do on your own, the price is the price of the transport you use.
  • Duration: as long as you want.
  • Means of transport: bus, metro, cab.
  • Advantages of this option: lots of variety of stores.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you do not have a guide to give you tips on the best places.

Breathe fashion on Avenue Montaigne

If you have a big budget to spend after finishing your tour of the Champs Elysees go to Avenue Montaigne. This avenue is currently the most exclusive street in Paris with stores of haute couture designers such as Chanel, Armani and Valentino. If you want to do luxury shopping this is the place for you. Obviously, you won't find anything cheap there, not even during the sales, it's all super exclusive and expensive. Still, even if you can't afford to shop there, it's worth it to walk down this avenue.

Interesting details of this tour

  • Price: has only the price of transportation.
  • Duration: unlimited.
  • Means of transport: bus, subway, cab.
  • Advantages of this option: you shop at your own pace and there are exclusive brands.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is expensive.

How to book a shopping tour in Paris

person with shopping bags| © Jacek Dylag
person with shopping bags| © Jacek Dylag

Shopping in Paris is a rewarding experience, but it can be frustrating if you don't know the city well. If it's your first visit, it' s best to hire a guided shopping tour, you'll know where to go and you'll have useful tips. The best way to book this type of tours is online, through companies specialized in selling tourist products. If you book online you can choose the date with greater flexibility and by doing so in advance you ensure availability, if instead you wait to arrive to book directly with the organizers of the excursions you may not get a place. Another important advantage of online booking is the security of payment, since you can use a credit or debit card, an option that you may not have if you book directly with the organizer or the private guide.

Benefits of taking a guided shopping tour of Paris

person touching shirts on hook| ©charlesdeluvio
person touching shirts on hook| ©charlesdeluvio

The city of Paris is full of shopping opportunities that can be a bit overwhelming if it is your first visit. If you want to make the most of your trip and go shopping, you will want to hire a guided tour.

On guided tours you will have the advantage of being able to get all your doubts answered by a local guide who knows the best places according to your shopping preferences. If you go on your own, you are likely to miss opportunities because you do not know the city in depth.