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.
Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to discuss visiting Paris and other European destinations in 2021. Our team can provide information on country reopenings, travel safety, hotel policies and insurance options, transportation and more.
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 and Rue de Turenne. (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). 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, like Ines de la Fressange on Rue de Grenelle and Rue de Cherche Midi.
Visit concept stores for a window into the next trends
Among the best concept stores in Paris are L’Eclaireur and Merci. They tend 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 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
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. One on my radar now: Marin Montagut (48 Rue Madame), a curiosity shop inside a former tapestry workshop in the 6th arrondissement.
Finally, 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 and La Palette for classic bistro food and Marcello and Le Cherche Midi (22 Rue du Cherche-Midi) for Italian dishes.
Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer to discuss visiting Paris and other European destinations in 2021. Our team can provide information on country reopenings, travel safety, hotel policies and insurance options, transportation and more.
