Shopping in France: 2026 sale dates and the best places in Paris

France holds state-run sales twice a year. These weeks are the best time for a shopping trip.

Below you'll find the sale dates, VAT refund (tax-free) rules, and the best shopping spots in Paris. At the end, you'll find a list of souvenirs that will make it home in your suitcase in one piece.

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When to go to the sales

💡 In short:

• National sales (les soldes) take place in France twice a year, in winter and summer.
• Summer 2026 dates: June 24 to July 21 (as of 09/2026, soldes calendar on Service Public).
• Each campaign lasts four weeks (as of 09/2026, rules for four-week sales).

By law, stores in France lower prices during fixed periods, not whenever they feel like it. The dates are set by the government, so the timing shifts from year to year (as of 09/2026, sale regulations from the DGE). Summer sales open in late June, and winter sales start in January.

When planning your trip, check the dates for your region: in some departments and overseas territories, they are shifted.

Pick a weekday and arrive at opening. In the first hours, the size range is full and the fitting room line is shorter.

Exchange policies for sale items are often stricter than on regular days. Ask before you pay, not after. Outerwear is a better buy in winter, while summer clothes and vacation items are better in June.

Where to shop: the best spots in Paris

Paris offers the widest selection, but some items are cheaper outside the capital. If time isn't tight, compare the capital's department stores with boutiques in Lyon or Bordeaux. For a short trip, a few Paris neighborhoods will be enough.

© Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SAPhoto: Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

If you're going for a weekend, book accommodation in advance: find a hotel in Paris on Trip.com.

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

One of the largest department stores in Paris with a huge range: clothing, perfume, home decor. Your shopping here can easily stretch to half a day. Under the glass dome, the window displays change every winter, and people come just to see them.

© Arthur Weidmann · CC BY-SAPhoto: Arthur Weidmann, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Go at opening. By midday, the cosmetics hall on the ground floor is packed, while the upper floors are quieter. At the register, ask about tax-free: the department store handles it directly.

Place Vendôme

Home to jewelry houses. This is where high-end brands have their salons, and salespeople are happy to show pieces. If you're choosing a serious purchase, compare prices at several houses.

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The same brands are nearby on Faubourg Saint-Honoré, just in a calmer setting.

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

The largest flea market near Paris. People come here for antiques, books, furniture, and handmade items from young designers. It is open on weekends; most pavilions are closed on weekdays.

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Bargain calmly: sellers rarely agree on the first try, but the initial price can often be brought down. Cash will come in handy.

Le Bon Marché

The city's oldest department store, on the Left Bank. Prices are above average, but the selection is elite and carefully curated. During sales, you can get a well-known brand item at a discount here.

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The store's metal structures are linked to Gustave Eiffel's workshop. Stop by the La Grande Épicerie food hall: it brings together delicacies from across the country.

Faubourg Saint-Honoré

This street is considered the showcase of French fashion. It is home to haute couture houses and boutiques where people come for current collections. Service is unhurried: each customer gets personal attention.

© David Monniaux · CC BY-SAPhoto: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

If your budget is modest, look at mid-range brands. Among French labels, check out agnès b.: understated everyday pieces.

To find items outside the big brands, head away from the central streets. Neighborhoods like Montmartre or the Marais have plenty of small boutiques, and they are less crowded.

A stroll through such quarters is itself part of the trip. You will also find small bakeries and cafés there for a break.

Tax-free: how to get VAT back

Shoppers from outside the European Union can get part of the VAT back through the tax-free system. Threshold: purchases over 100 € in a single store, made within a maximum of three days (as of 09/2026, tax-free conditions on economie.gouv.fr).

The process is simple. At the register, ask for a bordereau de vente à l'exportation and show your passport. When leaving the EU, get a customs stamp on the form, otherwise there will be no refund (as of 09/2026, Douane).

The tax-free operator takes a cut, so you will receive less than the full VAT amount. Arrange the refund at the time of purchase, not before departure: without a completed form, the money will not be returned. Alcohol, tobacco, and food are usually not refunded under this scheme.

What souvenirs to bring from France

France has plenty of souvenirs, but suitcase space is limited. Follow a simple rule: buy what is not sold back home.

© Joe Mabel · CC BY-SAPhoto: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

For a simple souvenir, magnets, plates, and keychains with French symbols work well. For a boss or someone you do not know well, bring tea and cookies in a tin. A popular souvenir: miniature Eiffel Towers.

Popular food items include chocolate, cheese, champagne, and wine. If you want to surprise someone close to you, look for what is not exported from the country: visit a winery and taste wines of different varieties and vintages.

French perfume is a common gift. To avoid missing the mark on taste, get a set of small bottles with different notes: fruity and floral. Tourists eagerly buy cosmetics from Provence and Grasse.

From Provence, people bring back olive oil and aromatic herbs that come in handy in any kitchen. Grasse is known for its jasmine plantations: perfume and cosmetics are made here. More gift ideas are collected in our article about souvenirs from France.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When do sales take place in France?

National sales are held twice a year, in winter and summer. Check the exact dates for your region on the official portal before your trip.

How do I get a VAT refund on purchases in France?

Tax-free is available to shoppers from outside the EU. Buy goods worth more than €100 in one store within three days, ask for a form at the checkout, and get a customs stamp when departing (as of 09/2026, VAT refund rules). The refund operator keeps part of the amount.

Which Paris department store should I choose?

For a wide selection, head to Galeries Lafayette, while for calm shopping at luxury brands, go to Le Bon Marché. For jewelry, people go to Place Vendôme, and for vintage finds, to Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. All these spots are in different neighborhoods, so you can't cover them in one day.

What should I bring from France as a gift?

For food gifts, choose chocolate, cheese, wine, and olive oil from Provence. For cosmetics, perfume and skincare from Grasse work well. For colleagues, pick up tea and cookies in a tin. Skip perishable cheeses if you have a long trip home.

In short: what's worth booking

French shopping rewards those who plan their purchases in advance. Check the sale dates for your region, arrange tax-free right at the checkout, and keep your passport handy.

• If you're going to the sales for the first time: start with Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendôme.
• If you're looking for vintage and love to haggle: set aside a day for Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen.
• If you want to bring back food: pick up wine, chocolate, and olive oil from Provence.

Accommodation for sale weekends gets booked up quickly, so it's better to reserve a hotel in advance. You can compare options on Trip.com and check out city walking ideas on GetYourGuide.

Shopping in France on the map