9 French fashion and beauty brands to buy in Paris

Paris has long been the world’s fashion capital—it’s home to haute couture, Paris Fashion Week, and luxury designers like Chanel and Christian Dior. From the endless Avenue des Champs-Élysées to huge department stores like Printemps, every corner in Paris is a shopaholic’s dream. You can even hire a personal shopper to guide you or your teenager on a personalized shopping journey.

If you’re planning to revamp your entire wardrobe, we recommend planning your trip around sales seasons in summer and winter. Most tourists also qualify for a VAT tax refund; as long as you’re a non-European citizen who is older than 16, you’ll be able to save an additional 12%. Keep in mind that you must spend more than 100.01 Euros in the same store, and you’ll also have to present your passport.

As a rule of thumb, you should shop for brands that are headquartered in Europe. They tend to be cheaper because they don’t have to cover fees like import or transportation taxes. Just by shopping in Paris, you can save up to a few hundred dollars on the same product compared to buying it in Tokyo or New York.

Here are the top French brands you should buy in Paris:

Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s most iconic French fashion houses and is headquartered in Paris. This means you’ll find a larger supply and range of products when you shop in Louis Vuitton Paris.

We recommend heading straight to the flagship store in Champs-Élysées. This is one of the largest and most stunning Louis Vuitton stores in the world, with an Art Deco facade, Lalique fountains, and sweeping spiral staircases leading you up its five floors. Plus, you’ll find the largest collection of Louis Vuitton products here, making it a convenient one-stop shop.

However, be prepared to jostle with plenty of other tourists; by the time the store opens at 10 a.m., you’ll spot a snaking line of eager shoppers. As the store refreshes its inventory every day, it’s best to come as early as possible to ensure you get what you’re looking for.

Lovers of soaps, perfumes, and anything delightfully scented will be well-acquainted with Diptyque, a French fragrance brand. Since 1962, Diptyque has lovingly handmade its candles with raw materials, even straightening every wick by hand to ensure it burns correctly.

Plumb the depths of Diptyque’s products in its original boutique in Saint Germain, a short stroll from Notre-Dame Cathedral. The store maintains most of its 1960s decor, featuring designs and paintings by founders Christine Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Lee, and Yves Coueslant. Most importantly, this is where you can buy products that are exclusive to its Paris stores, like the first scented candles ever created by the brand.

Getting a classic Hermès bag isn’t easy anywhere in the world, but the word around town is that you’ll likely fare better in the Paris flagship store. Keep in mind that an Hermès shopping experience doesn’t entail walking into a store and browsing—you’ll first have to request an appointment online. Even when you’re granted an appointment, you’ll be presented with limited options, so those with their eye set on a specific style of Birkin or Kelly might face disappointment.

If you’d like to window shop and soak in the atmosphere, head to the Hermès store along Rue de Sèvres. This luxurious concept store is located in Hotel Lutetia and offers an exclusive peek into the brand’s special collections, and is also home to a florist, tea room, and library.

Cult favorite skincare brand Caudalie was born in 1993 in the vineyards of Bordeaux. Since then, its founder Mathilde Thomas has even published a book on beauty advice, The French Beauty Solution, which was a New York Times bestseller. Focusing on natural ingredients, Caudalie also ensures its products are as eco-friendly as possible.

In Paris, you’ll find popular items like the Vinoperfect serum and the Beauty Elixir at half price. Caudalie is also conveniently stocked in most pharmacies and supermarkets in Paris, including Monoprix. But if you have time to spare, we recommend visiting one of Caudalie’s award-winning boutique-spas, where you can enjoy beauty treatments inspired by the brand’s signature Vinothérapie protocols. There are outlets all over Paris, including in Le Marais, La Fayette, Montmartre, and Louvre (1st arr).

If you want to blend in with the locals on the très chic streets of Paris, Sandro will be your lifesaver. Featuring contemporary outfits for both men and women, this French brand is the key to effortless elegance. Sandro’s products can be up to two times more expensive in places like the U.S. and U.K., so you should probably stock up in Paris, where Sandro is a more affordably-priced high-street brand.

Fragonard was created in 1926 to bring the wonders of French perfumery to out-of-towners. Today, it continues to educate people on the design and manufacturing process of perfume and cosmetics, with free admission to its three factories on the Côte d’Azur.

While you’re in Paris, stop by the Musée du Parfum Fragonard for a free guided tour of the history of perfume. Learn to create your own customized scent, or head to the museum’s Fragonard boutique to pick up some of the brand’s all-natural perfumes and colognes.

Since 1947, Dior has dressed and accessorized fashionable shoppers in Paris and all over the world. Pay a visit to the flagship store in its original location on Avenue Montaigne, which recently reopened after more than two years of renovation. The all-new store includes perfumes, cosmetics, and even a cafe for you to show off your new purchases while enjoying coffee.

If you see something you like, don’t hesitate to buy it—you can enjoy savings up to thousands of dollars when purchasing a Dior product in Paris. But even if you’re just there to browse, Dior’s sales associates will welcome you with warm hospitality, macarons, champagne, and prompt service.

Cartier’s long and illustrious history is well-known globally. Once described as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers” by King Edward VII, Cartier has also served as an official purveyor to royalty in Spain, Belgium, Egypt, and Albania.

Cartier’s “temple” in Paris, located along Rue de la Paix, is worth a visit, even if you don’t plan to buy anything. The brand’s flagship boutique is located in a historic monument and is decorated by some of Europe’s most famous artists. The iconic Cartier Love Bracelets are also cheaper in Paris, especially with the additional VAT refund.

Galeries Lafayette is a renowned upmarket French department store chain, popular among shoppers who want to shop from a variety of local and international luxury brands. But we recommend checking out the store’s hidden gem: its own Galeries Lafayette brand, ranging from clothes to toys, cosmetics, homeware, and more.

And there’s no better place to shop than at the flagship Paris Haussman store. The hundred-year-old building features Neo-Byzantine stained-glass windows, an iconic dome, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the rooftops of Paris. VIP shoppers also get access to the concierge lounge, fast-track tax refund service, and delivery of their purchases straight to their hotel room.

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