Shopping Guide to Paris…Chic Femme, Littles & Food
Window Shopping in the City of Lights.
Shopping in Paris is well. Unbeatable…this might be one of my most favorite portions of any trip back to Europe. Everyone is always dressed so chic in France, even if it is a casual day out. I usually have a running list of things I need to snag to bring home in tow. Over the years my stores that I frequent have evolved, especially as brands expand to have a presence in the US and Canada. So, here is my current laundry list of stores I must hit while in France and some pharmacy staples I can’t live without.
Sezane: honestly, if my entire closet came from Sezane I’d be a happy camper. It’s so femme, chic and just French. All their staples are a must for any closet. I just went to their new location in the La Marais, and I was yet again blown away by all their pieces. If I could sum up their store in one emoji, it would be 😍
Berthie: I stumbled upon this store while wondering the streets of La Marais. It is nestled across the street from a playground, and I couldn’t help but ogle at the window display while half watching LBB plunge into the sandpit. Honestly, it was so worth going inside! Their clothes are lovely and very reasonably priced for the quality. Highly recommend their femme looks for any occasion!
Sandro & Maje: Although these brands have expanded their presence in the US…it’s still worth a pit stop while in Europe. Their pieces are always elegant, and usually well fitting. I have found that their price points have gone beyond my comfort zone as of late however. But then I generally remind myself that I get VAT back while shopping so I don’t feel quite as guilty.
Jacadi Paris: People. Please do yourself a favor and find a Jacadi location while in Paris. Their children’s clothes are…to. die. for. A bit higher priced than Petit Bateau and Sargent Major, but I’m sure you’ll find something you can’t live without. Also, their hair bows for little girls are unreal. Pick up one, or a few while you shop!
Petit Bateau: This is the ultimate OG Parisian store with classic French looks for littles. They even have a few adult staples to match if you’re into that kind of thing. However, it is primarily a children’s clothing shop. Honestly, we started shopping here even before we had LBB. We got plenty of baby gifts for friends while dreaming of what a future LBB would look like dressed in PB. It’s moderately priced and seriously adorable. They have staple rain coats that your little will use for years to come if you go up in size. Amazing quality and value for a French classic look.
Sergent Major: This was a newly added store to my repertoire…LBB got so many baby gifts from family from this brand that I had to take a look for myself. And I was not disappointed. Their children’s clothes are PRECIOUS! And so reasonably priced for what you get. I loaded up on so many outfits…plus once you hit a certain threshold of spending you get VAT back…so go on a spree…you won’t be disappointed!
Monoprix: Consider this store like the Target of Paris, they sell everything from groceries to suitcases. Surprisingly enough their children’s clothing section is primo. Aymeric’s cousin got LBB a little blue button up ‘sweatshirt jacket’ that was lightly quilted in navy. It was an outfit finisher that we have used on repeat. So of course when we recently went back to Paris I asked her where she got it, just to see if I could snag another one in a larger size for next year. Naturally, she said that it came from Monoprix. She also gets one for her daughter yearly as a closet staple. I was shocked at all the amazing dresses, rompers and jackets they have in stock at extremely reasonable prices for the quality. You really can’t got wrong.
Joules: This was another store Aymeric and I stumbled upon while strolling the streets near the Bastille. We learned they actually have close to 400 store locations across France. So, that should tell you how loved this store is by the natives. It’s primarily a men’s store from what I saw, but they have women’s and childrens gear as well. Aymeric loaded up on stripped T’s and pajama’s.
Printemps: Department stores are always exciting in Europe. The displays and assortments are always so well curated. Printemps is a great spot to walk around and enjoy all your French staples in one spot. And if you don’t have time to go by the ‘duty free’ line in CDG because the people in front of you bought 10 Chanel bags and just can’t seem to get them up to the counter fast enough for your taste, they have one in the basement! Just more cash in your pocket to keep the shopping party going while on vaca.
Galerie Lafaette: Classic French department store. I feel like this would equate to the Nordstrom of Paris. Always decked out in holiday decor too if you travel around during Christmas.
Mariage Freres: Ok…here’s where things get dangerous for me. French loose leaf tea. The black tins speak to me. I’m not a coffee drinker, tea is my drug of choice so I can’t go to Paris without stopping for a refill of my favorite ‘vanille des iles’ tin and a 30 pack of Marco Polo tea bags. My tea cupboard at home is loaded with this stuff. Every time I drink a cup it takes me back to sipping dreamy tea while traveling abroad.
La Grand Epicerie de Paris: This place is what I think heaven looks like in the form of a grocery store. Nestled in the 16th arrondissement but have multiple locations across the city, it’s a 3 story speciality food mart where magic is made. Imagine something along the lines of Metropolitan Market or Dean & Deluca of Paris. Ultra Bougie foods for the picking. We love going here to stock up on groceries while in the city. It never disappoints.
Maille Mustard: I love mustard. It’s a staple in our household. I use it for everything from marinade add ons, to salad dressing extras to take any dish to the next level. Even though Maille has expanded to US grocery stores. There’s nothing like the real thing. We go to the location in the Opera District and load up on the fresh mustard pots from the bar. You can get flavors like white and black truffle mustard to the standard nose tickling Dijon. I like to use the empty pots as flower vases when we finish. Fun multi purpose for these treasured mustard tombs. Aymeric’s cousin has also used them to hold kitchen utensils as a crock. Find your favorite use post mustard mortem and let me know!
Nicolas: The french liquor store you can’t miss. These shops are everywhere. Just look for the red awning and you’ve found yourself a happy evening filled with a luscious French bottle of bubbly. We usually stop here for a ‘higher end’ bottle of sorts for apéritif dinatoire.
Pierre Herme: Ugggggggg. I literally can’t say enough good things about this macaron shop. It’s far superior to Laudere and IMHO. Much more Bougie and less touristy. We stumbled upon this place while staying in the 16th and realized it’s full glory. Their ‘magador’ is to die for. Pick up a box, or 5 while in town.
Paul: It’s the Starbucks of France. You can’t go wrong. I felt slighted when they removed the Paul from the international terminal in CDG and replaced it with a McDonalds. We always stop here to grab pastries and tea/coffee. It’s usually consistent and always delicious!
Pharmacy Staples: This probably should be a post in itself. But to keep it brief until I expand on this later… Here are my top hauls.
Anything Avene. This brand has also expanded to the US more broadly as of the last few years. You can even find it in Ulta. I use their TriXera lotion, XeraCalm A.D., Hydrance face moisturizer and Thermal Water spay on repeat.
La Roche Posay. Sunscreen, body wash & lotion.
Nuxe dry oil: This stuff smells like summer and joy in a bottle, and it’s 99% natural to boot. Buy this in bulk!
As I’m sure you can tell, you can’t go wrong with shopping overseas. Just do yourself a favor and stroll the streets and pop into a shop that has luring window along the way. There are always hidden gems to be found everywhere while wondering Paris. Enjoy!
