One of the reasons that I fell in love with Paris when I first visited as a teenager was because I could find French styles that weren’t ubiquitous in the States. However, when I first brought my daughter to France, she was perplexed by my enthusiasm since almost all of the brands we saw on the main shopping streets exist in New York. But when we started focusing on the younger brands, hipper areas and ways to find a bargain, she caught the Paris bug and is thrilled to return with me any chance that she gets. And to give some context to the history of fashion and the power of fashion to influence society, I recommend building in a visit to one of the city's great fashion museums like the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Galerie Dior, Palais Galliera or the costume institute at the Louvre. Below are my tips for a fun shopping escapade in Paris with a teen.
Check out our full Paris shop listings and contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to discuss visiting Paris.
Stick to the Marais and the St. Germain area
The best streets to prowl in the Marais include Rue des Francs Bourgeouis, Rue du Vielle du Temple, Rue des Rosiers and Rue de Turenne. Look for shops like From Future for well-priced cashmere in vibrant colors; Suncoo, a new brand by a former designer of Isabel Marant; and Le Nom for bags that can be personalized on the spot. (See our list of top Marais shopping.) It is also one of the only areas in Paris where things are open on Sundays, so it tends to be packed on the weekends (many spots are closed on Monday mornings or all day), and it is home to some of the outlet shops of trendy brands, see below. In St. Germain, the area bordered by Rue des Saints Pères, Rue Mazarine, Rue Jacob and St. Sulpice is ground zero for the best boutiques that would appeal to Emily in Paris as well as those on Rue de Cherche Midi. Brand Bazaar carries lots of colorful, hip brands at discounted prices and its two floors are packed with clothing and accessories that could keep young fashionistas busy browsing and trying on for hours.
Concept stores are a window into the next trends
The best concept store in Paris is Merci. It tends to be packed with cool hunters from around the world, so the crowds as well as the shops and what they sell are feasts for inspiration. As for the grands magasins (French for department stores), Le Bon Marche is the winner with lots of different brands and a tradition of fun pop-ups on the second floor.
Know about outlets, or Boutiques Stock
Popular French brands rarely go on sale in the States but in Paris there are "stock boutiques," where everything is between 40 and 80 percent off. ("Stock" is the French word for "last season.") Here are some favorite addresses, including one, Alaia, that is more appropriate for mothers than teens.
- Maje, 6 Rue du Cherche Midi
- Sandro, 26 Rue de Sevigné
- Zadig et Voltaire, 22 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg
- Alaia, 18 Rue de la Verriere
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Day Trip: La Vallée Village
A 40-minute drive from central Paris, La Vallée Village is a luxury open-air shopping destination that is a must-visit for shoppers. Designed to mimic a charming village, the outlet contains over 110 shops featuring heritage French and international designers, with previous-season collections and other treasures at discounted prices starting from 33 percent off. An array of restaurants and cafés as well as concierge, porter, VIP and personal shopper services make this a truly holistic experience. The Vallée Village team can also assist with navigating VAT refunds and duty-free policies.
Until September 30, 2025, Indagare members have access to an e-VIP pass (click here to claim yours) for these exclusive benefits: 10 percent off the listed La Vallée Village price in participating boutiques (not valid in conjunction with other offers or promotions); complimentary hands-free shopping services ("you do the shopping, we do the carrying"); and a complimentary ice-cream at Amorino.
Seek out one or two newcomers
Like in all major fashion cities, the shopping scene in Paris is always in flux, and it can be exciting to check out some of its newest openings. Some of the newest brands with buzz these days are Make My Lemonade on the Canal St. Martin, which often hosts hands-on sewing workshops and Héroines, on the Rue des Rosiers in the Marais, whose designer is inspired by literary figures.
Know where to stop for a fun lunch or snack
Some of my favorite spots in the heart of the Marais include the Merci Café and Merci Ciné-Café, Breizh Café for crèpes and Carette on the Place des Vosges. In St. Germain, my choices are Le Recamier for soufflés, La Société, Le Petit Lutetia and La Palette for classic bistro food and Marcello and Le Cherche Midi (22 Rue du Cherche-Midi) for Italian dishes.
Published onMay 5, 2021
Updated onJune 9, 2025
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