4 Cities in France That Are Perfect for Shopping
France is home to some of Europe’s most iconic sites and historic monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. The country has also featured in some of the world’s best-loved films, literature, and television and is equally famous for its culture and mouth-watering cuisine, but what about the country’s shopping scene? Does it have just as much to offer? It certainly does.
Shopping enthusiasts will be pleased to know that France is the place for a unique shopping experience. Just like how a Netent online casino offers a great variety of games for anyone to select from, France has something for everyone on a shopping spree: from regal, designer stores to local French markets. This guide will ensure that you’re aware of all of France’s retail hotspots whilst on your trip and how you can get the most out of your French shopping experience.
Paris
How could we not add Paris to the list? Paris is one of France’s most notable cities and has plenty to offer for casual and serious shoppers alike. Known worldwide as the ‘City of Lights’, Paris is famous for being one of the major fashion capitals of the world making it the perfect destination for a wardrobe refresh! Paris has a variety of stores on offer selling everything from high-end designer labels to vintage clothing, accessories, and more.
Some of the best shopping destinations in Paris include Boulevard Saint Germain, Rue Du Bac, Bon Marché, Rue Tronchet, and Boulevard Haussmann. Or, for a shopping destination with a touch of elegance, why not take an afternoon stroll around Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées? No matter what your budget is, you’re guaranteed to find some enviable looks that look seemingly effortless. Call it “je ne sais quoi,” if you will!
Overall, the city is studded with quaint boutiques and grand department stores, so you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect match.
Cannes
Does Cannes ring any bells? You might be familiar with the city due to its yearly film festival, known globally as the ‘Cannes Film Festival’, which previews new films of all genres with a notable celebrity guest list. It’s one of the most prestigious events in the film industry, which many aspire to attend every year. However, Cannes has much more up its sleeve than just film festivals and is also a shopping hotspot for tourists and residents.
With grand open settings and a mix of vintage indie labels, mid-level aspirational brands, and high-label fashion houses, Cannes is a true slice of French paradise! Cannes is serious about its positioning within fashion culture, so much so that every year the city has an entire four-day festival of haute-couture shows and entertainment. The Cannes Shopping Festival is also held every Spring in March or April, and the ‘Sales and the City’ event is also held in January.
Aside from the city’s notable events, shoppers are encouraged to take a trip to La Croisette for a luxurious shopping trip filled with high-end designer labels and exclusive hotels. The palm-lined promenade is situated just footsteps away from the Bay of Cannes, making it the perfect destination for views (and shoes!). For fashion must-haves at a lower price, opt for a stroll around Rue Meynadier with local shops and affordable boutiques.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is an elegant city which is renowned for its style and sheer opulence. The city is home to many department stores, luxury brands, and Parisian luxury houses offering something for every shopper. The Triangle d’Or (Golden Triangle) quarter, Old Bordeaux, or the famous rue Sainte-Catherine is enough to take any fashion lover’s breath away with its array of sophisticated boutiques and vibrant storefronts.
Bordeaux was considered the ‘most attractive destination in the world for 2017’ by Lonely Planet, and it’s not hard to see why. Take the great capital of Aquitaine, for example – it has the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Europe, known as rue Sainte Catherine. Housing major fashion brands with luxury and designer boutiques, it’s the ultimate temple of fashion. For more trendy boutiques with independent cultural spaces, visitors are encouraged to visit Rue de la Porte Dijeaux or La Place Fernand Lafargue for a more bohemian atmosphere. In short, there’s a little bit of anything and everything for all kinds of shoppers!
Lyon
Are you dreaming of a new pair of stilettos or a new outfit for an upcoming event? Why not take a trip to Lyon? Lyon is full of history and elegance and offers shoppers plenty of opportunities to find the perfect item. Whether you’re interested in bringing home some of Lyon’s finest food and wines or some stylish pieces to upgrade your wardrobe, Lyon is home to some of the world’s most glamorous shopping centers, quaint boutiques, and colorful markets and galleries.
One of Lyon’s most popular shopping destinations is Presqu’Île. Locals naturally gravitate to this shoppers’ paradise with its boutique-studded streets selling everything from clothing and electronics to food stores. The area also has familiar global chains such as Gap, Zara, and H&M, so you won’t be too unfamiliar with the city’s offerings. For luxury and designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès, head to the Rue du Président Édouard Herriot and Rue Emile Zola.
For a completely new experience, the Grand Hotel Dieu is a newer shopping center that’s home to upmarket beauty brands such as Clarins and a variety of high-end food shops. What more could you ask for?
Conclusion
Have you decided where your first stop in France will be? Whether you desire high-end designer labels, local markets or thrift stores, and vintage clothing, France has it all across some of its most iconic cities. It doesn’t matter whether you have a strict budget or pennies to spare; there is something for everyone in this beautiful country. Shopaholics, take note.