I recently came back from a visit to Paris and I’ve put together some great places to shop and enjoy for your next trip. Whether you’re visiting Paris solo, as a couple or for a girls trip, I’ve got amazing places to check out and enjoy the city like a local. This was my second time in Paris, so I had done all the touristy activities already (visiting the Louvre, Musee D’orsay, etc). So the tips below are really to enjoy the city for all its worth.
Wander Quaint Neighborhoods
Paris is actually HUGE, and the farther away you get from the tourist areas, the more charming and quaint it gets. Here are a few of my favourite places to wander:
- Le Marais 3rd/4th – Chic boutiques and posh shopping (I especially love Farm Rio!)
- 2nd arrondissement – Cute boutiques and a predominantly Japanese area (authentic ramen shops and fun shopping like Merci Paris)
- Explore some of Paris’ “Covered Passages”, private shopping lanes from the 18th and 19th century
- Montmartre – If you leave the area around the Basilica Sacre-Coeur, you will find a vibrant neighborhood with cute shops and cafes
Visit a Rooftop
Paris is lovely when viewed from a rooftop, thanks to the city’s strict zoning laws that limit building height and a strong aesthetic preference to preserve its unique landmarks. I love seeing the Eiffel Tower and the many basilicas towering over the city. Here are a few rooftops worth exploring for an afternoon glass of wine or views at dusk.
- Terrass Hotel – A restaurant and bar on the top two floors with sweeping views
- Rooftop Bar Dame des Arts – Rooftop bar with views of the Eiffel Tower
- Printemps Rooftop Terrace – The top floor of the ritzy shopping mall
- Le Grand Balcon – Cocktail bar in l’hotel Quinzerie
- Sequoia Rooftop Bar – Relaxed bar vibe with views of the Eiffel Tower and city
Unique Restaurants
There are a ton of restaurants and Michelin starred places that I will not go into detail with here. A simple google search will get you some great options. I’ve got a list below of some unique restaurant experiences if you want something different.
- Le Procope – Paris’ oldest brasserie from the 1600s, beautiful interior and quaint outdoor seating in a narrow alleyway.
- La Felicita – An italian restaurant set in an old train station
- Joli – A cafe restaurant set in the courtyard of the Musée Carnavalet
- Ephemera – A chain of restaurants with emersive settings
Shopping Experiences
When shopping in Paris, always bring your passport because you never know when you may buy something and need to claim a VAT refund! Purchases need to be over 100 euros to claim a 12% VAT at the airport. It’s pretty simple these days, you only need to scan your receipts at the airport before boarding, and then you will receive the refund on your credit card in a couple weeks.
- Stock up on French cosmetics and sunscreen at the pharmacies – Brands like Caudalie and La Roche Posay are much cheaper and much more in abundance in France. Larger pharmacies can also provide you a VAT refund.
- Find unique treasures at French flea markets, the largest being Marche Vernaison and Marché aux Puces (the whole area is full of various flea market collectives, it is MASSIVE)
- Shop at outlet stores for Sezane and Sandro (named “Archives”), or visit the large outlet mall La Vallée Village
- Pick up a purse from a French brand. There are so many. On the higher end you have Chanel, Saint Laurent, Goyard, Celine. If looking for mid-range, you can consider Polene, Longchamp, Fleuron, Le Tanneur.
- I can’t mention shopping without mentioning the Galeries Lafayette stores. I personally love the Haussmann and Champs-Élysées locations. They have their own VAT refund counters within their stores.
- If you look up “bringing home French butter” there are countless videos on Tiktok and Instagram with tips for this. I think it’s a fairly touristy things to be honest, but if you enjoy the French butter, you can head to one of the upmarket grocery stores and they will help vacuum pack the butter so you can more easily pack it to take home.
