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Here are the 9 best shopping streets and districts in Paris

Parisians know how to dress well. Even wearing simple everyday clothes, you can expect Parisians to have a sense of style and elegance. Dressing well is the culture here. After all, the city is one of the world’s fashion capitals and some of the best clothing stores are in Paris.

Shopping here is an experience. The city is home to some of the biggest names in luxury like Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Prada. There are also affordable options from leading brands like Zara, Celio, Bersheka and H&M. But don’t discount the small shops in Paris, they are a hidden gem of independent labels.

From luxury to affordable shopping, there are plenty of places to go. And with so many places, deciding where to shop can be an overwhelming task. This guide has the work done for you to help you out. So, here are the 9 major streets and districts that are among the best places to shop in Paris.

Paris has an official 1-month sale in winter (January-February) and another in summer (June-July). Dates vary each year, so check the web. Discounts range from 30 to as much as 70 per cent from participating stores. What’s more, non-EU residents are entitled to claim a value-added tax (VAT) refund.

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Champs-Élysées

Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.
Champs-Élysées | Mark Kobayashi-Hillary
  • Location: 8th arrondissement
  • Metro stations: George V (Line 1), Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1, 9)

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the most famous street in Paris. The stretch is home to classy restaurants, cafés, theatres, hotels and plenty of shopping. As a matter of fact, Champs-Élysées is one of the most popular shopping streets in Paris with visitors. With the sheer number of shops, there’s plenty to buy from trendy fashion to souvenirs.

Champs-Élysées is home to a host of upscale designer stores that are brimming with big names in luxury. French labels include famous brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Lacoste, Longchamp and Éric Bompard. Luxury brands from outside France include Boss, Moncler, Massimo Dutti, Tiffany and Swarovski.

Though prices run steep on Champs-Élysées, there are affordable options as well. Zara offers a selection of clothes, accessories, shoes and swimwear. Celio is a well-known French fashion brand for men’s clothing. Tara Jarmon has a range of clothes for women including dresses, skirts, pants, shirts and jackets.

Louis Vuitton’s famous flagship store in Paris is at the corner of Champs-Élysées and Avenue George V – near the George V Metro Station. This famous fashion house is 5 large floors of luxury. There’s a wide selection including blazers, shirts, dresses, bags, shoes, accessories and much more for the fashion wardrobe.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées | Elekes Andor

Boss is another flagship store. You’ll find the fashion house at the corner of Champs-Élysées and Rue Galilée – near Louis Vuitton. This is the German label’s largest flagship store in the world and it’s 2 floors of chic fashion. The fashion store has a range of men’s and women’s clothes, sportswear, shoes and accessories.

There are more flagship stores in Champs-Élysées. Tiffany offers fine jewellery and accessories. Adidas and Nike offer stylish sportswear. Longchamp’s selection of luxury leather goods ranges from handbags to passport covers. Other flagship stores include Lacoste, Saint Laurent and Lancôme to name a few.

Galeries Lafayette here isn’t the flagship store but certainly huge. This 4-floor upmarket department store is a few blocks east of Louis Vuitton. You’ll find a wide range of items from trendy fashion to quality homeware inside this Art Deco building. Besides, there’s a lovely food court on the ground floor.

Les Arcades des Champs-Élysée is a luxury indoor arcade and a few minutes walk east from George V Metro Station. This beautiful arcade features Art Nouveau and Neoclassical interiors topped with an awesome glass roof. Inside are 40 fancy shops. A pleasant place to pass through though even if it’s just window shopping.

With loads of tourists on the Champs-Élysées, there are plenty of souvenir shops. You could buy for less elsewhere. Then again, you may not want to roam the city searching for the cheapest souvenir trinkets. Try the street kiosks selling souvenirs for less than the shops. There’s one in front of Louis Vuitton and 2 more near Galeries Lafayette.

Check out hotels near Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissements – a trendy area of Paris and home to the finer things in life.

Triangle D’or

Rue Francois 1er in Triangle D’or (Golden Triangle), Paris, France.
Rue Francois 1er, Triangle D’or | Mbzt
  • Location: 8th arrondissement
  • Metro stations: George V (Line 1), Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1, 9) 

Triangle D’or (Golden Triangle) is a small triangle-shaped neighbourhood within Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and Avenue des Champs-Élysées. This is an upper-class part of Paris, where real estates are the most expensive. And that said, this is where many of the rich and the international jet set live in their posh apartments.

Along with the wealth in the Triangle, there are eminent hotels and distinguished restaurants. This is also the ultimate place for luxury shopping in Paris. This small area is filled with high-end boutiques, exalted fashion houses and bespoke tailors. From high fashion to elegant watches, you’ll only find prestigious brands here.

If you’re not ready for the big price tag, enjoy window shopping – you won’t be the only one. You’re in luck if in Paris during the city’s official one-month winter or summer sales period. Participating boutiques here offer discounts anywhere from 30 to 70 per cent on their luxuries, as they make room for new inventories for the next season.

The Triangle is the heart of the city’s haute couture (custom-fitted fashion). Twice a year, the Triangle is one of the venues for the Paris Fashion Week which include ready-to-wear and haute couture designs. The events are by invitation only but you can buy a ticket to watch a fashion show at Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann.

Avenue Montaigne, Triangle D'or (Golden Triangle), Paris, France.
Avenue Montaigne, Triangle D’or | Celette

A big part of the shopping scene is on Avenue Montaigne. Among them are Dior, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Valentino and Armani with their exclusive range of fashionwear. Giuseppe Zanotti, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada and Fendi offer fine leather goods. Harry Winston and Chrome Hearts are American luxury jewellers.

At 30 Avenue Montaigne is Dior’s legendary flagship store. This is where the brand’s French founder, Christian Dior, released his first collections in 1946. The 2-floor elegant interior pays homage to the brand’s proud heritage. There’s a selection of men’s and women’s fashion wear as well as shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories.

Balmain at 44 Rue Francois 1er is another legend. Though not the flagship store, it’s here where the founder, Pierre Balmain, released his initial designs in 1945. The 2 floors are the epitome of elegant fashion and haute couture. And a wonderful selection of stylish clothes, shoes, accessories and perfumes.

Another major street in the Triangle is Avenue George V. Here you’ll find Hermes, Stefano Ricci, Ellie Saab and ICICLE. Emporio Armani is an upscale label devoted to sporty fashion for young adults. It’s less expensive than the typical Armani range. Santoni offers Italian shoes, renowned for the quality of the design and workmanship.

Sandro, Celine, Courrèges, Cartier and Chaumet are on Rue Francois 1er. There’s Boggi Milano and Figarret on Rue Marbeuf with their range of fashion wear. And Berluti offers leather goods including shoes, bags and wallets. Also on Rue Marbeuf is Arturo Cifonelli, one of Paris’s top bespoke tailors.

Check out hotels near Triangle D’or in the 8th arrondissement – a posh area famous for shopping, dining and entertainment.

Rue St-Honoré

Shopping street of Rue St-Honoré in Paris, France
Rue Saint-Honoré | Norio Nakayama
  • Location: 1st arrondissement
  • Metro stations: Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12), Tuileries (Line 1), Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Lines 1, 7), Les Halles (Line 4)

Rue St-Honoré passes in an east-west direction through the heart of the city in the 1st arrondissement. Rue St-Honoré spans nearly 2 km (1.2 miles) and is a hive of activities filled with upscale hotels, cafés, restaurants and plenty of shopping. As a matter of fact, Rue St-Honoré is another paradise for luxury shopping in Paris.

The stretch is filled with classy boutiques carrying prestigious labels known the world over. There are also a wealth of flagship stores. These stores represent the sophistication of their brands with their stylish interiors and wider selections of luxuries. Not only that, you’ll also find a good deal of high-end independent boutiques.

There’s a great selection of boutiques for designer clothes and accessories. Big names in high fashion include Dior, Gucci, Moncler, Saint Laurent and Givenchy. Lanvin, Alberta Ferretti, Bottega and Zapa are other prominent labels. For extreme weather outwear like jackets and parkas, Canada Goose is a great choice.

Longchamp, Lancaster, Fauré Le Page and Fendi offer small leather goods including an exquisite range of bags and wallets. Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Sergio Rossi, Berluti and Sartore are famous for their elegant shoes. Goosen is a French jeweller renowned for crafted costume jewellery.

Shopping on Rue St-Honoré in Paris, France.
Shopping on Rue St-Honoré | David Monniaux

Balmain’s flagship store on 374 Rue St-Honoré is 2 floors of stylish fashion from clothes to accessories. Adjacent is Chanel’s flagship store, housed in 3 historical buildings spanning 4 floors. Burberry’s flagship is also nearby and it’s 3 floors. Other flagships include Hermès, Delvaux, Graf, Balenciaga and Peuterey to name a few.

Place Vendôme is not only a square to admire. Surrounding it are some of the most exclusive establishments devoted to fine jewellery and watches. Among the names are Gucci, Chanel, Piaget, Dior, Chopard, Cartier, Rolex and Jaeger. Visit is by appointment only. If you don’t have one, settle for window shopping.

Near the east end of Rue St-Honoré is Westfield Forum des Les Halles, a colossal multi-level shopping mall and for the most part underground. A striking feature is the huge glass canopy above the ground. With over 110 stores occupied by major brands like Bersheka, Claire’s and H&M, there’s plenty to shop under one roof.

Explore the narrow side streets of Rue St-Honoré for hidden gems. A mix of big names along with top of a range of independent boutiques occupy the side streets. Some of the best places to venture to fill your fashion wardrobe are Rue du Chevalier de St-George, Rue Cambon and Rue du Marché St-Honoré.

Check out hotels near Rue St-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement – an upmarket area of luxury shopping, hotels, cafés and restaurants.

Rue de Rivoli

Shops on Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France
Rue de Rivoli | Guilhem Vellut
  • Location: 1st and 2nd arrondissements
  • Metro stations: Tuileries (Line 1), Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Lines 1, 7), Louvre-Rivoli (Line 1), Châtelet (Lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14), Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1, 11)

Rue de Rivoli runs from Place de la Concorde, passing through the Le Marais quarter, where it meets up with Rue Saint-Antione. It’s a 6.4 km (4 miles) span occupied by a host of cafés, restaurants and shops. The area along the stretch is also a popular location for tourists to stay with no shortage of hotels.

Some of Paris’s top sights are also on Rue de Rivoli. Place de la Concorde is a large square and was once the site of many beheadings during the French Revolution. Jardin des Tuileries is a famous park with a charm. Louvre Museum is home to some of the finest collections of art. And Hôtel de Ville is a striking 19th-century municipality building.

Trying to explore the entire stretch – not to mention the side streets – can overwhelm anyone. Luckily, there are 5 Metro stations on Rue de Rivoli that you can hop on and off on Line 1. Another thing, the span close to traffic except for buses, taxis, delivery, emergency vehicles and bicycles. With little traffic, the street is an enjoyable walk.

The street is a mix of retail chains, independent shops, underground shopping malls and department stores. As a matter of fact, there’s plenty to shop across the entire street. For most tourists, the main destination is the 1.2 km (0.8 miles) stretch between Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and Hôtel de Ville Metro Stations.

Souvenir shop on Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France.
Souvenir shop on Rue de Rivoli | Bob Hall

Rue de Rivoli is not about expensive luxury brands. The street is about affordable shopping in Paris. Ready-to-wear international fashion brands include Zara, JD Sports, Urban Outfitters, Bershka and Mango. Among the leading French retailers here are Promod, Pimkie, Delaveine, Caroll and Minelli.

The small independent shops are the places to go for small French labels. Prices are generally cheaper and value for money. Rue de Rivoli is also famous for vintage shops, particularly retro clothes. For cheap souvenirs like scarves, tote bags and all kinds of trinkets, there are several near the Louvre Museum.

Carrousel du Louvre is near the Louvre Museum. More than 30 major retailers and independent shops occupy this underground shopping mall. Among the big names in fashion wear and accessories are Lacoste, Sandro, Fossil, Pandora and Printemps. For a tasty break, you can find a large food court served by 12 restaurants.

Le BHV Marais is in front of Hôtel de Ville. Opened in 1856, this famous department store features 7 huge floors. You can find almost anything you want under one roof. And a large choice of brands at affordable prices. Items include fashionwear, sportswear, shoes, hats, jewellery, and bags to name a few.

There’s more to shop on the side streets off Rue de Rivoli. Rue de Castiglione, Rue d’Alger, Rue due 29 Julliet and Rue St-Roch – all near the Tuileries Garden – are the best places to explore. On these streets, small independent shops have a big presence and carry lesser-known labels that offer great value for your money.

Check out hotels near Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement – the heart of the city centre and home to many leading attractions.

St-Germain-des-Prés

Eglise St-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, France.
St-Germain-des-Prés Church | trolvag
  • Location: 6th arrondissement
  • Metro station: St-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4), Mabillon (Line 10), Odeon (Lines 4, 10)

St-Germain-des-Prés centres on Eglise St-Germain-des-Prés, a famous 11th-century church. The quarter borders the River Seine (in the north), Rue Mazarine (east), Rue du Four (south) and Rue des St-Pères (west). Passing through the quarter is Boulevard St-Germain, the main shopping street.

This was once a bohemian part of Paris. In the 19th century, it was home to famous writers and painters like George Sands, Manet and Ingres. The quarter attracted small jazz clubs after World War II, often operating in the cellars. And cafés were popular hangouts for intellectuals as well as literary and artistic celebrities.

St-Germain-des-Prés Metro Station (Line 4) is a convenient starting point for your shopping adventure. The station is next to Eglise St-Germain-des-Prés and near where Boulevard St-Germain passes. Mabillon Metro Station (Line 10) is another and a short 5 minutes walk to the church.

The shopping scene here is a mix of leading retailers and small independent shops. And caters to a wide range of budgets, from expensive luxuries to affordable shopping. St-Germain is also a great place for antiques, vintage fashion and to say nothing of handmade artisanal chocolates.

Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris, France.
Boulevard St-Germain | Matt Casagrande

Walk along Boulevard St-Germain and you’ll discover a street filled with fashion. Among big names in luxury are Barbour, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Moncler, Boss, Emporio Armani and Louis Vuitton. For affordable clothing stores in Paris, head to Arthur & Fox, Jott Paris, Loding and Gérard Darel.

From Boulevard St-Germain, the retail scene enters into the tiny side streets. Check out the streets of St-Pères, Dragon, Rennes, St-Benoît and Bonaparte. Tucked in these quiet corners are more leading names in fashion as well as a host of independent boutiques and small speciality shops.

For antiques and vintage clothes, there are around 20 in St-Germain. Collectables include jewellery, watches, paintings and ceramics. Arts et Bijoux on Boulevard St-Germain is famous for fine antiques and jewellery. Kilo Shop (also on the same street) sells vintage clothes and is a unique shop in Paris. You pay by weight!

You can find a dozen master chocolatiers in and nearby St-Germain. You’d think Armani is only about luxury fashion. On Boulevard St-Germain, Armani/Dolci offers its luxury range of artisanal chocolates. Debauve et Gallais, on Rue des Saints-Pères, has been serving fine chocolates at the same spot since 1817.

There’s a delightful Christmas Market near the famous church mentioned. Gifts for the holiday season include scented candles, jewellery, bags and handicraft. There are also tasty French treats such as macarons, crepes and candied chestnuts. The next Christmas Market in 2023 will be from 26th November to 1st January.

Check out hotels in St-Germain-des-Prés – a great location for families with access to many shops and restaurants.

Boulevard Haussmann

Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, France
Boulevard Haussman | Chabe01
  • Location: 8th and 9th arrondissements
  • Metro stations: St-Augustin (Line 9), Havre-Caumartin (Lines 3, 9), Chaussée d’Antin-La Fayette (Lines 7, 9), Richelieu-Drouot (Lines 8, 9)

Boulevard Haussmann passes through the 8th and 9th arrondissements. The main shopping stretch is between St-Augustin and Richelieu-Drouot Metro Stations, a distance of 1.4 km (0.9 miles). The span is an elegant part of Paris with its 19th-century Haussmann architecture and certainly a hive of activities.

Inside the Haussmann buildings are some of the most elegant cafés, restaurants, theatres, clubs and shops. This street is where you’ll find the famous Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores. These stores offer some of the best shopping in Paris and often talked about that you’ve to make a visit.

Across the street from Galeries Lafayette is Palais Garnier, a famous opera house built in the 19th century. It’s a historic monument noted for its lavish interior. Take a pause from shopping to visit this famous sight. Palais Garnier is open for tours from 10 AM to 5 PM except during performances.

This Paris shopping street is a lovely mix of small shops and big stores. For affordable French labels, Eric Bompard, Damart and Montlimart are some of the best clothing stores in Paris. Sephora is famous for beauty and personal care products. Bocage and Minelli are French labels well-known for their stylish yet affordable quality shoes.

Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, France.
Shopping on Boulevard Haussmann | Cheng-en Cheng

Explore the small side streets namely Rue de l’Arcade, Rue Tronchet, Rue Vignon and Rue de Caumartin. They are a gem of French labels from fashion to perfumes. Besides, they are great spots to relax for some quiet dining, away from the hustle and bustle of Boulevard Haussmann.

Galeries Lafayette is an upmarket French department store chain. The one here (near Havre-Caumartin Metro Station) is the flagship store. This giant department store has a charming Art Deco interior. Inside is a huge selection of over 3,500 brands from fashion to toys. And there’s a nice café on the terrace with lovely views of Paris.

Printemps is another famous upmarket department store chain. The one here is the flagship store and a short walk from Galeries Lafayette. This huge department store focuses on lifestyle, fashion, accessories and beauty. Brands here are among the most prestigious in luxury. Prada, Givenchy and Bottega are just the tip of the iceberg.

Passage du Havre is behind Printemps on Rue de Havre. Built in the 19th century, it was initially a covered passageway. Today, it’s a small shopping mall of only 40 shops but a charming place and certainly bustling. Among the brands are Caroll, Claire’s, Lovisa, Sephora and Yves Rocher.

Check out hotels near Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement – a pleasant area near the city centre with cheaper 3 and 4-star hotels.

Le Marais

Le Marais in Paris, France
Le Marais | Chabe01
  • Location: 3rd and 4th arrondissements
  • Metro stations: St-Paul (Line 1), Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1, 11), Pont Marie (Line 7), Rambuteau (Line 11)

Le Marais is a historic quarter partly in the 3rd and partly in the 4th arrondissements. Passing through is Rue Rambuteau, a narrow street splitting Le Marais into the northern and southern half. There’s plenty of history in this part of the French capital and once home to many nobles from the 13th to 17th century.

Le Marais is a charming place of quaint streets, historic buildings, hidden courtyards and pretty gardens. Highlights include Centre Pompidou, renowned for its modern art collection. Musée Picasso is devoted to art by the famous Pablo Picasso. And Place des Vosges is one of the oldest and prettiest squares in Paris.

Le Marais is another shopping delight. The landscape features a mix of leading retailers and small independent shops. The quarter is well-known for its many art galleries with prices to suit every budget. There are also specialist shops devoted to antiques and vintage clothes.

Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and Rue Vieille du Temple cross each other. They are the main retail streets and are packed with fashion items from the top brands. Visit Muji, a small Japanese department store on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois. It has bits of this and that from clothes to kitchen items at budget-friendly prices.

Shopping on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois  in Le Marais, Paris
Rue des Francs-Bourgeois | Francisco Gonzalez

Rue de Turenne and Rue St-Antione also cross each other. It’s a scene of small elegant boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Lesser known French labels occupy the boutiques. Having said that, they offer quality for less price than the big brands. And there’s a wide selection from stylish clothes to accessories.

There’s more shopping on Rue des Archives and Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe. Not to mention the tiny shops on the smaller streets of Rue Charlot, Rue St-Martin and Roi du Roi de Sicile. For souvenirs, you’ll find several near Centre Pompidou on Rue St-Martin and Rue Beauborg.

For antiques and vintage clothes, there’s a chock-full of shops on Rue St-Paul. At Sur le Fil de Paris (On the Edge of Paris), you’ll find rare books, magazines, prints and photographs. Mandarine has collectable items of silverware, glassware and jewellery. Pompon is home to vintage fashion and some go back decades.

Le Marais has a creative art scene devoted to modern art. You’ll find a wide range of art forms from paintings to sculptures in various contemporary styles. The galleries are spread across the quarter. Notable streets for buying art include Rue Vieille du Temple and Rue du Temple. There’s also a cluster on Rue St-Paul.

Check out hotels in Le Marais – centrally located and the best area to stay for the first time visitor to Paris.

Rue Du Commerce

Shopping street of Rue du Commerce in Paris, France.
Rue du Commerce | Guilhem Vellut
  • Location: 15th arrondissement
  • Metro stations: Commerce (Line 8), Avenue Émile Zola (Line 10), La Motte-Picquet Grenelle (Lines 6, 8, 10)

Rue du Commerce is a one-way street between Boulevard de Grenelle (in the north) and Rue des Entrepreneur (in the south). It’s a short and narrow span, just 675 metres (0.4 miles) long and 18 metres (59 feet) wide. The stretch is unknown to most tourists but is a popular shopping street with Parisians.

This modest street is a world apart from the glamour of Champs-Élysées. You won’t find expensive labels here like Louis Vuitton or Cartier. But for budget-friendly prices, this is one if not the best shopping streets in Paris. And you count on more than 100 outlets including major retailers and independent shops.

Rue de Commerce has some of the best clothing stores in Paris if you’re looking for affordability. From casual wear to trendy fashion, there’s a great selection here. Other items to look for include children’s wear, baby clothes, swimwear, shoes, gifts, perfumes, cosmetics and sports goods.

There are scores of French boutiques. Pimkie, Zapa, Devernois and Des Petits Hauts offer chic wear for women. Etam and Aubade are famous for their range of lingerie. Boutique Harding and Jules offer fashionwear for men. And there’s a great selection of children’s clothes from Jacadi Paris.

Pimkie on Rue du Commerce in Paris, France
Pimkie on Rue du Commerce | James Petts

Rudy’s Chaussures, Manfield, Geox, DS Shoes, Minelli and Mellow Yellow offer stylish shoes for less than the luxury brands. Louis Pion has a selection of smartwatches under its own brand as well as others including Seiko, Swatch and Cluse. Saoya, Histoire d’Or and Bijou Brigitte are known places for classy costume jewellery.

Monoprix is a popular mini department store chain in France, well-known for its low-priced quality goods. There’s a Monoprix store on the north end of Rue du Commerce. And the place is packed with casual wear, towels, bags, home decor, beauty care, kitchen items, food items and lots more.

It’s hard to resist the gourmet shops. L’Atelier du Chocolat, Pierre Marcolini and Yves Thuriès have some of the finest handmade chocolates. Scoop Me a Cookie is savoured for its assortment of delightful cookies. And there’s Amorino, a famous shop for artisanal ice cream made according to Italian tradition.

Every Sunday and Wednesday, locals flock to Grenelle Market (near Monoprix) to load up their groceries. You can also pick up some inexpensive clothes, scarves, socks, hats and kitchen items. What’s more, there are tasty foods from the stalls like pasta, pizza, paella, roast chicken and classic French stews.

Check out hotels near Rue du Commerce in the 15th arrondissement – a charming residential area with budget-friendly hotels.

Montmartre

Montmartre in Paris, France.
Montmartre | Zairon
  • Location: 18th arrondissement
  • Metro stations: Abbesses (Line 12), Anvers (Line 2), Pigalle (Lines 2, 12)

Montmartre is a charming historic quarter on a hill. Though very much part of Paris, the place looks more like a French village with its cobblestoned streets, steep narrow lanes and old brick buildings. In fact, Montmartre was a village outside Paris till it became part of the French capital in 1860. 

The quarter is a top tourist attraction in Paris with plenty of interesting history to tell and sights to see. When it comes to shopping, it’s mostly a scene of small independent shops. Montmartre is also a major hangout for talented artists who sell their art for much less than the upmarket art galleries.

Rue des Abbesses is a charming narrow street and a lively place with a bohemian vibe. Beyond the cafés and brasseries, there’s a hive of shops selling ready-to-wear clothes. And the fashion style here is contemporary without the big price tags. For chic Parisian fashion, there’s no better place than Kookai.

Jutting out from Rue des Abbesses are Rue Lepic, Rue des Martyrs and Rue Hudon. They may not look like places to shop but are a gem of lucky finds. There’s a pretty good choice of everyday clothes, shoes, cosmetics and souvenirs. And prices tend to be cheaper than on Rue des Abbesses.

Rue des Abbesses in Montmarte, Paris
Rue des Abbesses, Montmartre | flightlog

Brocante des Abbesses is a Sunday flea market near Abbesses Metro Station. It’s a small market but a heap of vintage items. Rummage for preowned treasures like clothes, accessories, lamps, brassware, home decor and toys. There are even out-of-print books, yesteryear jewellery, paintings and a host of knick-knacks.

Rue de Steinkerque is a short and narrow street packed with elated tourists looking for all things cheap to say they’ve been to Paris. Buy T-shirts, tote bags, hats and scarves with an image of the Eiffel Tower or “I Love Paris”. There are also cheap trinkets like key chains and refrigerator magnets to give folks back home.

Sympa and Sim-Storesol are discount stores side-by-side on Boulevard Marguerite de Rochechouart (near Anvers Metro Station). They are where unsold designer brands like shirts, dresses and lingerie are finally dumped. The stores look unappealing but for a fraction of the original price, thrilled bargain hunters don’t seem to mind.

Place du Tertre is a café-lined square, where artists have been showing off their art since the late 19th century. Only 140 artists are allowed by the town hall to display and sell their art at the square. Artworks include paintings, portraits, silhouettes and caricatures. Buy the art on display or hire an artist for a portrait.

Check out hotels in Montmartre – a beautiful part of Paris with a village character and old world charm.