Where to go depending on what you want
| You want | Where | Reference points found |
|---|---|---|
| Watches and jewellery | Place Vendôme and rue de la Paix | Boucheron at no. 26, Van Cleef & Arpels at no. 22, Chanel Joaillerie at no. 18, Patek Philippe Salons at no. 10, Breguet at no. 6; Cartier at 13 rue de la Paix |
| Luxury fashion | Avenue Montaigne (8th) | Dior at 30 Avenue Montaigne, luxury hotels around |
| Leather goods and fashion | Faubourg Saint-Honoré, rue Cambon | Hermès at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Chanel at 31 rue Cambon |
| Haute couture | Couture houses, by appointment | Made-to-measure pieces with fittings; a protected label held by a small number of houses |
The street numbers come from specialist guides and may change: check each house's website. One district can be done on foot: see Place Vendôme and our guide to Parisian style and shopping.
Boutique etiquette
- Say "bonjour" when you enter and "merci, au revoir" when you leave: it is basic politeness.
- Dress neatly, without beachwear or bulky bags; some jewellers open the door after you ring.
- For a specific watch, call before you come: very sought-after models are often on a waiting list, and a passport is useful for the tax refund.
- Cash payments are capped; see paying with your money in Paris.
Getting your VAT back (tax refund)
According to French customs: you must be 16 or older, live outside the European Union, stay less than six months and carry the purchases in your luggage. The minimum is €100.01 including tax in the same shop (same brand or group, over 1 to 3 days). The seller issues a barcode slip; before leaving, have it validated at a PABLO kiosk (airports, stations, ports). It is the shop, not customs, that refunds the VAT. Ask for the slip in the boutique before paying, and keep the goods unused.
Guided visit
To be guided to the big houses without improvising, a private fashion tour exists with stops in front of the Chanel and Dior houses (bookable online). For more accessible brands, see French fashion brands.
