5 Best Department Stores in Paris
Paris is known as the shopping capital of the world. The best, iconic department stores in Paris include: Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché to Printemps, BHV and La Samaritaine (reopened in July 2021). These Historical “Les Grands Magasins” are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Printemps
Printemps opened its doors in Paris in 1865 by Jules Jaluzot and Jean-Alfred Duclos, and has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. Printemps is known for its beautiful Haussmann-style architecture, which includes a stunning glass dome that allows natural light to illuminate the store's interior.
Printemps dominants the Boulevard Haussmann shopping street corner, spanning over 3 large buildings with 27 floors in total. In the 3 corners of the 9th Arrondissement of Paris, you’ll find Printemps de la Mode (Women’s Fashion) with nine floors, across the street is Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison (Beauty and Home) with eleven floors, and the Printemps de l’Homme (Mens) with seven floors of shopping.
Printemps welcomes 20 million visitors to the Paris Printemps Haussmann stores every year, which includes a good mix of both tourist and locals! If you are getting married, this is one of the few department stores in the city to carry Parisian wedding dresses. If you have a chance, make sure to head upstairs to their free rooftop, which has one of the most incredible views of Paris.
Printemps Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 10 AM – 830PM; Thursday, Friday: 10 AM – 8PM, Sunday: 11 AM – 8PM
Galeries Lafayette in Paris
Galeries Lafayette is a world-renowned department store in Paris, France. Located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement, the store is known for its 8 floors of designer, luxury and affordable fashion. It is filled with 62 stores and growing, with a grand dome in the center of it all.
The company originally opened its doors selling novelty gifts in 1985 by Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn, Galeries Lafayette. In 3 short years, the store grew in popularity and they expanded and purchased multiple buildings on the street. Today, over 25 Million people from around the world walk through those doors to stand under the famous dome and go shopping! Every year, around the holidays, Galeries Lafayette unveils their infamous magical Christmas tree in the middle of the store.
This department store in Paris often gets crowded and many popular luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel form a line outside the shop. If you are looking to beat the crowd, I definitely recommend arriving when the doors open!
Galeries Lafayette has become more than a shopping destination. Galeries Lafayette launched 5 new activities, including fashion shows, events, cooking classes, and more! Don’t forget to check out the VIP Parisian Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette before you visit!
Galeries Lafayette Address: 40, Boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10AM – 830PM; Sunday 11AM – 8PM
Le Bon Marché
The very first department store to ever launch in Paris was Le Bon Marche in 1838. Founded by Aristide Boucicaut, and is the only department store located on the Left Bank of the Seine. Located in the 7th Arrondissement, Le Bon Marché is classified as a high-end shopping department store in Paris.
Le Bon Marché is composed of two building and welcomes over 15,000 customers a day. You’ll find luxury brands, the famous Andrée Putman escalator, and exclusive exhibitions. The designer brands include, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and more. Le Bon Marche tends to focus more on high end shopping.
Le Bon Marche offers an additional discount for shopping at their department store. When you go into Bon Marché sign up immediately for their rewards card called “La Carte 24 Sèvres.” Keep in mind, it requires multiple days of shopping and a little bit of a strategy. Read the complete Le Bon Marche shopping guide to discover everything you need to know about this department store!
Le Bon Marché Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
Hours: 10 AM – 7:45PM
BHV – Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville
BHV is short for Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville is located in the heart of the city, Marais district, and near the famous Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).BHV is home to many brands and offers a good mix of both locals and tourists. BHV does carry a few luxury brands, but their focus is more on affordable Parisian brands.
BHV opened its doors in 1865 selling haberdashery, and quickly grew in popularity. Today, BHV spans over 5 floors, and carries over 900 brands. In 2012, BHV underwent a renovation. This renovation enhanced the shopping experience, making it more enjoyable, and provided a more modernized the building.
BHV Address: 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris, France
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10AM – 8PM; Saturday: 10AM – 8:30PM; Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
La Samaritaine
Originally, La Samartaine opened its door in 1870 at a prime location in the first arrondissement in Paris. After operating at a loss for years, in 2005 Samartaine closed its doors, devastating millions of locals. In 2021, Samaritaine was given a second chance, this time under new management of the LVMH Group, which also owns Louis Vuitton. With over 750 Million dollars in renovations, this 1920-era building featuring an Art Deco Facade has been revamped, but still preserving the building’s legacy and history. After all, this building is considered a historic monument.
Home to over 600 brands, 50 of them exclusive to Samartaine, inside you’ll find a mix of both luxury and affordable fashion. Samaritaine is a shopping destination, has a salon, a rooftop luxury hotel, and offers their own exclusive loyalty program.
Samaritaine Address: 9 R. de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: 10AM – 8PM
Final Thoughts on Department Stores in Paris
Paris is an amazing place to go shopping, and I highly recommend if you are heading to one of these department stores to get there early to beat the crowds. I would love to hear about which department store in Paris is your favorite. If you are looking to go shopping at the outlets in Paris, I've written an entire article on designer outlets in Paris.
Sincerely Petite in Paris,
Diane
If I only have one day to fully devote to shopping while in Paris, which of these would you recommend. I plan to go to the individual Louis Vuitton, Chanel, YSL stores so I’m leaning towards either Samaritaine or Printemps. What are your thoughts?
Thank you!
Emily
I would definitely recommend either Samaritaine or Printemps, both spots will have the stores you’re planning on shopping at! Samaritaine tends to be a little more crowded since it’s the new / cool spot. Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane, I reached out to you back in November for information on shopping in Paris for myself (men’s fashion). Thank you for your feed back, it was very helpful and informative. I did most of my shopping at Bon Marche and La Vallée Village. Your article on the vet refund is spot on. Since I was shopping at many different countries and stores the refund trickled down to my credit card for a period of four or five months, but it was well worth it.
again, thank you for all your help
John
Hi Diane,
I 40 year old male looking for the current trend in Parisian style (jeans, shirts, sweaters, sunglasses, shoes, etc.) where do recommend I shop? I’ll be in Paris 20-27 Nov.
Thank you
John
Hey John,
Great question, it depends on how much you want to spend. If you are looking for luxury Parisian style I’d recommend Tom Ford, if you are looking for more affordable options, I’d recommend IRO Paris, Sandro, APC, Maison Kitsune. I do recommend that you go to a department store such as Galeries Lafayette or Printemps to browse the men’s section and see which brands you like.
Hope that helps and you have a great time in Paris!
Best,
Diane
Thank you Diane for your reply, it is very helpful. I also plan on going to
La Vallée Village, do you have any thoughts?
Thank you
John
Hey John,
Yes, I really enjoyed my time at La Vallee Village, here is an entire article I wrote about my experience
https://petiteinparis.com/is-la-vallee-village-outlets-in-paris-worth-visiting/
Best,
Diane
Hi,
I’m in France, but flying out of Geneva.
How can I get the VAT tax back, as Switzerland doesn’t participate.
Thank you,
Sarah
Hello Sarah,
You’d have to process the VAT TAX refund in France before you arrive to Geneva. Here is a dedicated article that explains the process.
https://petiteinparis.com/vat-tax-refund-process-in-paris-france/
Hope that helps!
Best,
Diane
Hi Diane,
I always enjoy your blog! I am returning to Paris in a few weeks and would love to get a good facial. At 75 with my share of crinkles and wrinkles, i often feel that aestheticians would prefer a younger client. Can you recommend a good facial salon for us finely seasoned wonen? Many thanks!
Hi Diane,
I always enjoy your blog! I am returning to Paris in a few weeks and would love to get a good facial. At 75 with my share of crinkles and wrinkles, i often feel that aestheticians would prefer a younger client. Can you recommend a good facial salon for us finely seasoned wonen? Many thanks!
Thank you for reading my article about the different department stores in Paris! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Kind Regards,
Diane
Diane Coletta
http://www.petiteinparis.com
Great info. Thanks!