The Ultimate Guide to the Paris Summer Sales
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The Paris summer sales are almost here! If you’re planning for summer in Paris, trust me, you don’t want to miss them.
Each year, stores across France mark down their prices to make room for the new season. It’s the best time to score pieces from your favorite French fashion brands or finally splurge on that iconic French handbag. Plus, you’ll find deals on jewelry, beauty, home decor, electronics, appliances, furniture, and more.
The sales last several weeks, so you have plenty of time to browse for bargains too!
In this blog post, I break down exactly when to shop, where to go, and how to make the most out of the sales season in Paris. Many of these tips and tricks also apply if you’re shopping anywhere in France.
Ready to shop the French sales? Let’s dive in.
In this Article
French Sales Season
The French summer and winter sales, les soldes, happen just twice a year around January and July. Smart shoppers wait to shop around these times to score major bargains on everything from fashion to home goods.
The sales are strictly regulated by the French government, meaning you’re getting markdowns on goods that have been offered at the regular price for at least a month (and not cheap discounted merchandise). The government also sets the dates for the sales, which makes it so much easier to plan your shopping in advance.
Just like Black Friday, Paris can get crowded outside of its major department stores and luxury flagship stores as shoppers arrive for the best items.
But even if you aren’t in France during the very first days of the sales, they last a full four weeks. You might actually get a better deal if you shop later! Prices tend to drop week by week, often starting at 30%, then 50-60% and ending at 70% off or more. Obviously, it’s a bit of a gamble, since popular sizes and styles can sell out fast (more on how to strategize for that below)!
Paris Summer Sale Dates
You may be wondering, when do the summer sales start in Paris?
The Paris summer sales are from June 25 to July 22, 2025. Every year the dates change slightly, but the sales almost always begin on a Wednesday.
Also, keep in mind that many stores in France are closed on Sundays. In Paris, some shops and department stores may stay open, but it’s always best to double-check in advance.
Where to Shop the Summer Sales in Paris
Paris has some of the best shopping in the world, and during the sales, it’s like being a kid in a candy store.
If you’re shopping in Paris on a budget, there are plenty of affordable French brands that offer discounts on their already accessible prices.
The most popular luxury brands (French or not) also participate in both the summer and winter sales: Chanel, Dior, Celine, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Balmain, Goyard, and so many more.
What’s important to keep in mind is that not everything is marked down. Iconic pieces, like Chanel flap bags or the Hermès Birkin, are usually not part of the sales. That doesn’t mean you can’t find some incredible pieces that are a bit more seasonal or unique.
No matter your budget, here’s where to go to make the most of the Paris sale season.
Department Stores in Paris
If you want everything under one roof, then I definitely recommend you shop the department stores in Paris. They house hundreds of shops and boutiques with French and international brands. You can also sign up for each of their loyalty programs to earn rewards on all of your purchases!
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (9th arrondissement)
Printemps Haussmann (next door)
Le Bon Marché (7th arrondissement)
BHV Marais (4th arrondissement)
Shopping Neighborhoods in Paris
Paris is made for wandering, and some of its most charming streets double as shopping goldmines. During the Paris sales 2025, here are the neighborhoods worth getting lost in:
Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement): High-end stores like Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, plus smaller stores.
Golden Triangle (8th arrondissement): Ultra-luxury shopping along Avenue Montaigne, George V, and Champs-Élysées. Famous French houses like Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Céline, plus niche luxury designers like Prouès by David Hanna (my recent favorite).
Rue Saint-Honoré (1st arrondissement): Luxury and haute-couture boutiques like Louboutin, Valentino, Maje, Chloé, and Longchamp.
Le Marais (3rd & 4th arrondissements): Cool concept stores, vintage shops, trendy French labels like The Kooples, A.P.C., Claudie Pierlot, and ba&sh.
Rue Saint-Dominique (7th arrondissement): Classic French brands, small boutiques, and a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement): Chic and upscale, home to emerging luxury labels and smaller French boutiques.
Rue des Abbesses (18th arrondissement): Small boutiques and up-and-coming French designers.
Place des Victoires (1st arrondissement): Circular square with designer labels and high-end fashion houses.
Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement): Trendy concept stores and local designers. Major artsy and hipster vibes.
Rue de Rivoli (1st arrondissement): A long, central shopping street with mainstream brands, Galeries Lafayette, and global fashion chains like Zara and H&M.
Paris Shopping Malls & Outlets
Another convenient way to shop multiple brands at once is by visiting Paris’s shopping centers and outlets. And if they’re indoors, they’re a nice place to stay cool in the summer (aka air conditioning!).
Forum des Halles (1st arrondissement)
Beaugrenelle (15th arrondissement)
La Vallée Village Outlet (outside Paris)
Bercy Village (12th arrondissement)
Tips for Shopping the Paris Summer Sales
1. Make Your Wishlist Early
Sometimes half the fun of shopping is just walking around and stumbling across something great. But during the sales, it’s better to have a game plan, especially if you’re only in Paris for a short time.
Start browsing before the sales begin. If you’re not in Paris yet, check out your favorite brands online. You can also shop the department store websites for everything in one spot as well as filter by brands, budget, etc.
If you’re already in Paris, of course, you might want to scout out the selection in-store. You won’t know which items will be on sale or the discount, but you’ll at least have a list of potential picks. It’s also helpful to try things on ahead of time so you know if they fit.
And if you don’t have time to find items before the sale, think about what you might want to buy. A luxury handbag? A wool coat for winter? A new pair of shoes? Knowing your top priorities will make it so much easier to shop, trust me. We are only a few weeks away from the sales, but I’m already working on my wishlist now!
2. Know Your Size in French Brands
French sizing is different from U.S. sizing, so it’s a good idea to figure out your clothing and shoe sizes before you shop the sales in Paris. This handy conversion guide can help you find out your French size. I also suggest checking your favorite brands’s websites. They often include more specific sizing tips to help you get the right fit.
3. Set a Budget
The French sales season is no doubt exciting, but don’t let yourself get too carried away. I’m sometimes guilty of overspending when I travel. I will justify impulse buys because “I’m on vacation”, then end up with a big credit card bill.
Whether or not it’s sales season, it’s a smart idea to set a budget for yourself to avoid any post-trip regrets. And if you’ve made a wishlist ahead of time (like I suggest above), it’s so much easier to stick to what you actually want and need.
4. Leave Room in Your Suitcase
You’ll definitely want to bring some Paris souvenirs home. And if you’re shopping the summer sales, you’ll also need extra room for your haul. Don’t fill your suitcase to the brim! If you need help packing light, I have tons of guides on how to do it, including capsule wardrobes that are perfect for Paris.
5. Shop Department Stores First
Many brands (especially mid-range to luxury ones) have mini boutiques inside department stores like Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, BHV, and Le Bon Marché. It makes it incredibly easy to shop everything in one place. Plus, you’ll be more likely to hit the 100€ spending minimum for the VAT tax refund (more on that later).
There are a couple of downsides to shopping at the department stores though. For one, they can get very crowded, especially on the first few days of the sales in Paris. And sometimes, the selection might be more limited than what you’d find in a brand’s actual stores. That said, if they don’t have your size in stock, sales associates can often call the brand’s main store to check for you.
Photo credit: Le Bon Marché
6. Decide When to Buy (or Wait)
Buy early for the best selection, or wait for bigger markdowns and risk your item selling out. If you’re lucky enough to be in France throughout the sales, it’s working out your strategy. Here’s what I consider when deciding whether to buy or wait:
Was it a bestseller before the sales? If so, buy now. Popular items tend to sell out fast, so in my opinion, it’s not worth the wait.
Is it a classic piece? If so, buy now. Timeless silhouettes and neutral colors usually go more quickly than super trendy styles.
Is it already in your price range? If so, buy now. If something is already a great deal for you, I wouldn’t risk it just to save a little more.
Is it at the top of your wishlist? If so, buy now. If it’s something you really truly need or have been wanting for a while, don’t wait. If it’s farther down on your list, you can afford to gamble a bit.
7. Look for French Brands
If you’re after serious savings, focus on French fashion brands. They’re typically way more abroad. I’m always shocked by how much designers like Sandro, Maje, and ba&sh are marked up in the U.S. The regular prices in France might already seem like a bargain, but then find them on sale? It’s practically a steal.
Some of my other favorite French brands to look out for are Gerard Darel, Claudie Pierlot, Sézane, and Bobbies.
8. Learn the Vocabulary
Even if you don’t speak French, it’s helpful to know a few keywords while shopping:
soldes: sales (you will see this word in almost every store window)
démarque: markdown
dernière démarque: final markdown
taille: size
remise: discount
moins: less, as in less X% (or X% off)
jusqu’à: up to (ex: jusqu’à -60%)
supplémentaires: additional (ex: 10% supplémentaires)
remboursement de TVA: VAT refund
9. Save More with a Tax Refund
If you’re a non-EU visitor spending over €100 in one store in one day, you qualify for a VAT refund. The refund is usually 20%, although it’s normally a bit less after all of the processing fees.
Not only do you get the benefits of the sales in Paris, but you can also enjoy an extra refund on your credit card. Refunds can take up to 3 months, and sometimes longer during the busy season, so be patient as you wait.
10. Schedule Your Trip Around the Sales
If you’re already planning a summer trip to Paris, try to time it during the sales season. For avid shoppers, the savings can be so good they might just cover the cost of your flight and hotel!
I personally love visiting Paris during the winter sales. It’s less crowded, and I shop a better selection of stores than I have here in Strasbourg.
I hope these tips and tricks help you shop the Paris summer sales! Most of this guide is also applicable if you’re shopping the winter sales, which will take place from January 7 to February 3, 2026.
Are you shopping the summer sales in Paris? What and where are you shopping? Let me know in the comments below.
