Paris as the capital of fashion doesn’t hold back when it comes to fashion hot-spots. We have created a list of the best places that every fashion lover must visit when they come to the capital of France.
1. Musée Yves Saint Laurent
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent is located on the former premises of Yves Saint Laurent’s former haute couture house. Between 1974 to 2002 Yves Saint Laurent has been designing his collections from this very place. Today, it shows retrospective displays and contemporary thematic exhibitions. You can plan in a good hour for exploring this rather small museum, but with a ticket price of 7€ this is very fair we think. Opening times: Thursday-Sunday: 11am – 6pm, Monday-Wednesday closed.
2. Chanel Boutique, Rue Cambon 31
At Rue Cambon 31 you are standing before Coco Chanel’s former apartment and boutique, which still houses a Chanel store. We understand if you feel too intimidated to walk in and rather just peek in from the outside windows. Alternatively, you can watch the movie “Coco Before Chanel” from 2009 to really get in the mood both for Chanel and Paris and learn about the history of this legend of fashion.
3. Galeries Lafayette
Since we are already trapped in the Golden twenties of Coco Chanel, we might as well head to Galeries Lafayette, the grand, century-old department store. You won’t only find something more affordable here than say a Chanel dress ($8400!) but also get to admire the steel-frame art nouveau glass dome ringed by loggias. Opening times: Sun 11am – 8pm, rest of the week: 10am – 8pm.
4. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Believe it or not, but Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is the first department store that was ever created in the world. It was opened in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut and his wife Marguerite who wanted to open a store that would “thrill all the senses”. The design came from architect duo Louis-Charles Boileau and the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who as the name already suggests, designed the Eiffel tower. 15.000 customers come to this place daily to find designer apparel, house-ware, beauty products & gourmet groceries. Opening times: everyday from 10am – 8pm.
5. La Grande Épicerie de Paris Rive Gauche
Just around the corner of Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, you will find La Grande Épicerie de Paris Rive Gauche, a landmark food hall housing grocers, pastry shops & delis, plus several restaurants & a wine cellar. It is a true foodlover’s dream and after all this (window)shopping and exploring we sure have earned ourselves some nice food or delicatessen to take home. Opening times: everyday 8:30am – 9pm, except Sun 10am – 8pm.
6. Musée de la mode et du textile
This Musée de la mode et du textile is a little bit hidden. You’ll find it deep within the walls of the Louvre museum. Once inside the Louvre, go to the Rohan and Marsan wings of the museum and you should find your destination. The collection it displays is rotating so you could come here on every single Paris visit of yours and still find something new. The Musée de la mode et du textile used to be a self-standing museum but is now integrated as a department in the Musée des arts décoratifs (also part of the Louvre museum) and tickets are 14€. Opening times: 11am – 6pm, closed on Mon.
7. Musée des Arts Décoratifs
If you want to visit the musée de la mode et du textile, you will have to buy a ticket for the Musée des arts décoratifs (see above). It is an imposing museum with ornate ceramics, crystal and fine furniture displaying artifacts from the Middle ages to present day. Tickets are 14€. Opening times: 11am – 6pm, closed on Mon.
8. Palais Galliera
Only Paris as the fashion capital of the world houses multiple fashion museums. Another very good one is the Palais Galliera, which used to be known as Musée de la Mode et de la Ville de Paris. Here, you will learn about fashion and fashion history and see an extensive and impressive collection. Unfortunately the museum is undergoing some major refurbishments since 2018 and was supposed to re-open in 2020. As of today (August 2021) it is still closed.
9. Cité de la mode et du design
Cité de la mode et du design is a former industrial space in the Left Bank of Paris and has the goal of representing Paris as a city that is eclectic, creative and perpetually transforming. It is a cultural center housing different exhibitions, a rooftop bar, the French Institute of Fashion and lots of shops & restaurants. Unfortunately due to the current epidemic (August 2021) it is temporarily closed.
10. Avenue Montaigne
Okay, we get it, it’s a bit frustrating when so many things are closed, but you know what can’t close? Streets! And Avenue Montaigne isn’t just any street, it is the Sex and the City street. The one where Carrie first arrives when flying over to Paris. To be exact, her car pulls up in front of Plaza Athénée, a hotel whose window sills are lined with flowers and which has a magnificent view on the Eiffel tower. Later in the movie Carrie has lunch at one of the hotel’s restaurants “Salon Organza” and visits the Dior store on the same street.
11. Angelina
Angelina is a world famous tearoom located on the rue de Rivoli in Paris. It has now become a chain and is distributed in the US, Asia, France and the Middle-East. Recently Angelina celebrated its 110th anniversary. The Rue de Rivoli location is very close to the Place Vendôme and rue de Cambon. Coco Chanel was known to frequent the establishment regularly. Angelina is famous for its famous guests and its delicious hot chocolate. We have tried it and can attest that it indeed is THE BEST we have ever had. We also recommend that you order their signature pastry Mont Blanc along.
12. Miel Factory
if you want to bring back a pretty and affordable gift to someone at home, the Miel Factory (miel means honey in French) has a wide range of different honeys packaged in nice looking jars and different sizes and other honey-related products. We can recommend the blueberry and almond flavors.
13. Chocolate Debauve And Gallais
If you’re more a chocolate kind of type, you can head to Chocolate Debauve and Gallais and purchase some high-end pralines, which is always a great gift.
14. Le Marais
Le Marais is a fashionable district in the 4th arrondissement, also known as SoMa (South Marais). You can find vintage clothes, hip boutiques, gay bars and artsy galleries. It is a former Jewish quarter and therefore still houses lots of kosher restaurants. Here you will also find Place des Vosges and La Musée de Victor Hugo. If you are interested in visiting all literature related sights of Paris, make sure to check out our 15 AMAZING Literary Locations in Paris That Every Booklover Must Visit.
15. Isabel Marant
A very French brand to shop when in Paris is Isabel Marant. Isabel Marant launched her label in 1994 and today owns 13 stores worldwide. The style is described as rock’n’roll, bohemian and boyish. However, she became a topic of controversy for supposedly stealing indigenous designers from the Tlahuitoltepec, a Mexican community who have been designing and making their original hand-sewn shirts for over 600 years in the style of the indigenous people.
16. Boulevard Saint Germain
The famous upmarket fashion street Boulevard Saint Germain in which you can admire Parisian architecture, luxury fashion brands and the famous coffeehouses: Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.
17. Saint-Ouen Flea Market
Just like any good big city, Paris too has a flea market, where you can browse through vintage clothes, second hand books and antique furniture. It is located in the hip area of Saint-Ouen. Opening Times: Sa/Sun: 10am – 6pm
If you want to explore the BOOK LOVER Sights of Paris, then check out our 15 AMAZING Literary Locations in Paris That Every Booklover Must Visit – Guide.
For all the foodies out there, we have created a list of the 10 Best Food Places in Paris.