The major Paris department stores sprang up in the 19th century along with the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, and the covered passageways. They’re really the heart and soul of Paris shopping. These temples of fashion and luxury shopping are more than one hundred years old, and at the time they revolutionized retail. Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps, BHV, Le Bon Marché… they’ve turned into business giants and genuine tourist attractions in their own right.
This guide covers every major department store in Paris, with addresses, opening hours and metro access, plus everything an international visitor needs to know before shopping here: how the VAT / tax refund (détaxe) works, how to pay, and how to make the most of your visit.
In this guide
- Galeries Lafayette
- Le Printemps
- Le Bon Marché
- BHV Marais
- La Samaritaine
- La Grande Épicerie
- Citadium
- Tax-free shopping: how the VAT refund works
- Practical tips for international shoppers
- FAQ
Galeries Lafayette
With its large dome and spectacular architecture giving the store an impression of space and light, the Galeries Lafayette flagship on Boulevard Haussmann has kept its original Art Nouveau decor. Roughly 50,000 people visit the store every day to shop for clothes, fashion, decorative items, jewelry, luxury goods, and fine food at the delicatessen.
The main building (with the large dome) is home to women’s fashion (from casual to high-end), jewelry and perfume. On the same side of the street you’ll find Lafayette Homme (men’s fashion). On the other side of the street, Lafayette sells home linens and hosts the Lafayette Gourmet food hall.
Address:
- Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann – 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
- The House of Galeries Lafayette – 35 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
- Galeries Lafayette Homme – 48 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Metro: Chaussée d’Antin – La Fayette (lines 7, 9) or Opéra / RER A / Auber (RER A)
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 8:30pm (until 8:45pm on Thursdays and Saturdays)
- Sundays: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Website: galerieslafayettes.com
Good to know for tourists: Galeries Lafayette has a dedicated International Visitors Desk (bring your passport) offering a welcome pack, extra discount coupons, and multilingual staff who can help with tax refund paperwork. There’s also a free rooftop terrace with one of the best panoramic views over Paris.
Fancy a special treat?
>> Try a VIP shopping experience at Galeries Lafayette
Le Printemps
Printemps was opened in 1865 by Jules Jaluzot and Jean-Alfred Duclos. It quickly gained a reputation for selling high-quality fabrics, and the brand has kept standing out ever since with its innovation and avant-garde style — its building was even one of the first in the world to be lit by electric light.
That avant-garde spirit is still visible in the architecture, with a soaring central atrium, grand staircase and stained-glass cupola. Today, Printemps is dedicated to high-end shopping: women’s fashion, men’s fashion, luxury items, accessories, leather goods and shoes, with all the major premium and designer brands. This is one of the top destinations for luxury shopping in Paris.
Address:
- Printemps Haussmann – 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Metro: Havre-Caumartin (lines 3, 9) or Auber (RER A)
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 8:30pm (until 8:45pm on Thursdays and Saturdays)
- Sundays: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Website: printemps.com
Good to know for tourists: like its neighbor Galeries Lafayette, Printemps has a Tourist Welcome Lounge with passport-based discount cards, currency exchange, and free WiFi. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace and its restaurant with an Eiffel Tower view.
Le Bon Marché — the Rive Gauche department store
Le Bon Marché first opened in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1852. It’s one of the Paris department stores located on the Left Bank (“Rive Gauche”) and also the oldest department store in the world.
Inside, you’ll find a curated selection of designer fashion, home linens, leather goods and lifestyle items, popular with both tourists and Parisians for its more intimate, boutique-like atmosphere compared to the Haussmann giants. In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it’s one of the emblems of French luxury shopping.
Read our selection of top shopping places in Paris.
Address:
- Le Bon Marché – 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
Metro: Sèvres-Babylone (lines 10, 12)
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00am to 8:00pm (Thursdays until 8:45pm)
- Sundays: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Website: lebonmarche.com
BHV Marais
As its name suggests, this department store is located right next to Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), at the edge of the trendy Marais district.
Spread over 45,000 m², you’ll find fashion, luxury items and lifestyle products in a warm, modern setting. BHV is also known for its DIY department — very Parisian and unexpected for a department store — plus DIY workshops and cooking classes. It’s also home to Le Perchoir, a chic rooftop café with skyline views. Just behind the main building, BHV Homme covers menswear.
Address:
- BHV Marais – 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
- BHV Homme – 36 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
Metro: Hôtel de Ville (lines 1, 11)
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Sundays: 11:00am to 7:00pm
La Samaritaine
An iconic name in Paris shopping since the 19th century, La Samaritaine reopened in June 2021 after 15 years of renovation. Now owned by luxury group LVMH, it offers around 600 brands across a stunning 20,000 m² Art Nouveau and Art Deco building, mixing major luxury houses with concept stores, beauty halls and a gourmet food hall.
Address: 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris
Metro: Pont Neuf (line 7) or Châtelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14)
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 8:00pm
La Grande Épicerie
La Grande Épicerie sets the standard for gourmet food shopping in Paris. You’ll find high-quality products from all over the world — chocolate, coffee, fruit and vegetables, tea, wine and bakery items — plus a very fine prepared-foods counter and a huge choice of French and international specialties. It’s a great spot to pick up edible souvenirs.
Two locations in Paris:
- Rive Gauche – 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris (next to Le Bon Marché) – Metro: Sèvres-Babylone
- Rive Droite – 80 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris – Metro: La Muette
Citadium
One of the newest department stores in Paris, located in the Haussmann / Saint-Lazare shopping district (and on the Champs-Élysées). It’s a huge concept store dedicated to casual and streetwear fashion for men and women — the place to buy jeans, sneakers and trendy backpacks, with a well-stocked shoe section. You’ll find major brands like Diesel, Levi’s and Adidas alongside more niche labels.
- Citadium Caumartin – 56 Rue de Caumartin, 75009 Paris – Metro: Havre-Caumartin
- Citadium Champs-Élysées – 65 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris – Metro: George V
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00am to 8:00pm (Thursdays until 8:45pm)
- Sundays: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Tax-free shopping: how the VAT refund (détaxe) works
One of the best perks of shopping in Paris as a non-EU visitor is the ability to claim back part of the French VAT (20% on most goods). Here’s how it works in practice:
- Who qualifies: visitors aged 16 or over whose main residence is outside the European Union, and who are staying in the EU for less than 6 months.
- Minimum purchase: you generally need to spend at least €100 (tax included) in the same store on the same day to be eligible for the paperwork.
- How much you get back: after the refund company’s service fee, expect to recover roughly 10–15% of the price you paid (the standard rate is 20%, but processing fees reduce the effective refund).
- At the store: ask for a “bordereau de détaxe” (tax-free form) at checkout and bring your passport — all major department stores have a dedicated tax-refund desk with English-speaking staff.
- At the airport: before checking your luggage, validate your form at a PABLO electronic kiosk (or a customs desk) near the airport’s détaxe area — do this before security if your purchases are in checked luggage, since customs may want to see the items.
- Getting your money: refunds are usually issued back to your credit card (a few weeks later) or in cash at an airport counter, minus fees.
- Deadline: you must leave the EU, and validate your form, within 3 months of the purchase date.
Tip: arrive at the airport with extra time if you plan to claim tax-free — the PABLO kiosks and customs desks can have long queues during peak travel season.
Practical tips for international shoppers
- Payment: contactless credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are accepted almost everywhere in department stores; smaller independent boutiques may prefer cards over cash, but it’s still handy to carry some euros for markets and small shops.
- Sizing: French/European sizing differs from US and UK sizing — sales staff are used to helping international visitors convert sizes, so don’t hesitate to ask.
- Best time to go: department stores are busiest on Saturday afternoons and during the sales periods (see below). Weekday mornings are much calmer.
- Sales periods (soldes): France has two official nationwide sales periods, roughly four weeks each — winter sales start in early January and summer sales start in late June. Prices can drop significantly, especially in the final week.
- Language: all the major department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, BHV, La Samaritaine) have English-speaking staff and international welcome desks; some also offer Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish or Arabic-speaking assistance.
- Shipping and luggage: if you’re worried about suitcase space, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps both offer international shipping services for larger purchases.
- Personal shopping: most flagship stores offer free or paid personal shopper services — a great option if you want a curated, efficient visit instead of navigating the (huge) floors alone.
Frequently asked questions
Are Paris department stores open on Sundays?
Yes — Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, BHV Marais and La Samaritaine are all open on Sundays, thanks to their location within an international tourist shopping zone.
Can I get a VAT refund on all purchases?
No — it only applies to goods you’re taking home unused (not services, food, or items already consumed), and only if you qualify as a non-EU resident spending at least €100 in the same store.
Which department store should I visit if I only have time for one?
For the classic Paris experience and the widest selection, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (with its famous dome) is the most popular choice. For a quieter, more curated visit, choose Le Bon Marché.
Article updated in September 2026. Opening hours, addresses and VAT refund rules can change — always double check with the store or official French customs sources before your trip.
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