The fashion capital is home to more than couture and grande dame department stores — although these are certainly a highlight of a visit to Paris. Shop local finds at these 10 boutiques that cover all the grounds, from designer vintage along the Canal Saint-Martin to bespoke scents and custom-printed silk scarves in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Clothing
The Broken Arm
The cutting-edge concept shop in Le Marais feels more Scandinavian than French with its clean, minimalist aesthetic and mix of men’s and women’s streetwear from brands like Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela, and Alaïa. Expect a mix of sneakers by the likes of Nike and Rick Owens, plus accessories like Prada leather shoulder bags.
Centre Commercial
A style staple on the Canal Saint-Martin, Centre Commercial was created by the duo behind sneaker brand VEJA (essentially France’s version of Stan Smiths). Design and fashion come together in the light-filled showroom, which often hosts events and collaborations. In addition to the signature sneaker, shop a curated selection of casual and athleisure clothing from brands that champion organic and responsible design, like Norse Projects, A Kind Of Guise, Paraboot, and Arpenteur. You’ll also find statement jewelry, FRAMA cosmetics from Copenhagen, and incense and smudge sticks.
THANX GOD I’M A V.I.P
Ask a local what’s the best vintage shop in Paris and they’ll all come back with the same response: THANX GOD I’M A V.I.P. Located near Place de la République, this is a spot where you’ll often brush elbows with stylists and designers while scouring racks filled with gently worn Alaïa, Chanel, Hermès, and Lanvin.
Design
Papier Tigre
Papier Tigre assembles all of its bespoke notebooks — known for their geometric covers and recycled paper — at its studio in the Parisian flagship in Le Marais. Create your own custom design or shop a selection of stationary, day planners, and journals. You can even snag sets of matching notebooks and retro-style watches— a much chicer alternative to a Swatch.
Marin Montagut
The French illustrator and designer who has worked with many French and international brands — as well as written books alongside famous French model Ines de la Fressange — created his own collection of home décor, stationary, and textiles at his namesake boutique in the fashionable 6th arrondissement. A great spot to shop gifts, Marin Montagut has everything from customizable glassware hand-painted at his workshop to tarot card-inspired silk scarves printed at a family factory in Lyon.
Lifestyle
Merci
Merci is one of those shops you’ll find yourself stopping at each time you’re in Paris. The ground-floor exhibition space is constantly changing with trends and seasons, while the multi-level shop — divided between men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, housewares, design, vintage furniture, and lifestyle — mixes mid-range brands like Isabel Marant and Forte_Forte with more affordable styles from Levi’s and Wrangler.
Jamini
Located near Place de la République in the 10th arrondissement, lifestyle brand Jamini beautifully blends French style with Indian heritage for artisan-crafted, all-natural textiles like patterned table linens, woven and embroidered bedding, and handprinted Indian cotton bathrobes, kimonos, pajamas, and dresses. The India-born founder, Usha Bora, works to combine the savoir-faire of traditional techniques found in her home country with French elegance through handwoven “peace silk” scarves, which are crafted by women in villages throughout the Indian state of Assam, and colorful block-printed fabrics like table runners and sofa covers.
La Trésorerie
Catty-corner from Jamini, housewares shop La Trésorerie sources 90% of its products from Europe — and more than 70% of the brands it stocks have their own production tool, artisan workshop, or factory. Taking its name from the building’s former life as the General Treasury of the 10th arrondissement, the glorified “general store” and neighboring furniture and lighting boutique, Suite, feel more showroom than shop, with a gorgeous selection of mid-century-modern-style furniture, ceramics, and marble- and brass-clad tableware you’ll definitely want to leave out on display.
Perfume & Skincare
Officine Universelle Buly 1803
The French skincare and perfume brand has a few of its apothecary-inspired boutiques scattered around Paris, but we’re partial to the Haut-Marais location, since half of the shop is a turn-of-the-century-inspired café with espresso served on silver antique trays. The French-formulated skincare and cosmetics, created around ancient recipes and rituals, are showcased in ceiling-high window displays, and items like lip balm cases and combs can be personalized and engraved. This locale also has a treatment room if you want to sample the products in massage form.
Nose Paris
The interactive boutique is designed entirely around scent, showcasing a mix of bespoke perfumes, candles, diffusers, and even skincare and makeup. You’ll recognize a few larger names like Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Diptyque, and Trudon, but you’ll also discover lesser-known or harder-to-find fragrances on your olfactory journey as you’re guided to your soon-to-discover dream scent.
