Top 5 shopping tours in Paris

There are many things to see and do in Paris, and there is no doubt that browsing the city's exclusive boutiques, markets or antique shops on a shopping tour is a dream for many travellers.

No matter the size of your wallet or the balance in your bank account, in this article I'll tell you about the best shopping tours in Paris and you'll see that there are options for all tastes and budgets.

La Vallée Village is an open-air discount shopping centre. There you can buy products from the best brands in the world such as Givenchy, Versace or Jimmy Choo at discounted prices. You will find clothes and accessories at super low prices because they are from previous collections.

The discounts are at least 33% and if you present your transport ticket to prove that you are doing the shopping tour you will get an extra 10% discount in three shops of your choice.

On this tour, you don't have to worry about transportation because you'll be picked up and taken back to the centre of Paris in a luxury air-conditioned bus.

You will have plenty of time to browse the shops and choose what to buy (the whole morning or the whole afternoon). The price of the tour is around 28 euros.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: Around 28 euros per person
• Duration: 6 hours
• Means of transport: air-conditioned bus
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to buy big brands at a discount
• Disadvantages of this option: the trip to the shopping centre takes one hour.

The St-Ouen flea market is the largest antiques market in the world.

There you can find everything at incredible prices. There are about 2200 shops to browse through and you can buy everything from books to toys, literally everything. If you know your way around antiques you might discover some hidden treasures on your tour. On this walking tour, you will be accompanied by a local guide who will show you the secret places that only the locals know about and give you tips on how to bargain for even better prices. The tour is for small groups, maximum 10 people, so you can make the most of the experience. The price of the tour is around 34 euros.

Traveller Tip

When the tour is over, stay to continue touring the market on your own and take advantage of the guide's tips.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: around 34 euros
• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Means of transport: it is a walking tour
• Advantages of this option: the guide knows the market very well and will give you useful tips
• Disadvantages of this option: the time is short for everything you have to see.

Recommended if you are travelling with teenagers. On this tour, you will visit the most fashionable clothes and accessories shops for teenagers. You'll visit shops that only the most fashion-conscious Parisian teenagers know about. It's a tour that the youngest members of the family can do on their own (the guide is very attentive and helpful), while you do something else, like visit some of the best museums in Paris. The youngest members of your group will be more than happy to know that this tour includes a map of the best (secret) places in Paris so they can shop independently for the rest of the trip. The tour lasts about three hours and costs about 145 euros.

Traveller Tip

While your kids are on this tour, take the opportunity to do something else that they might be bored with. Visit a museum of your interest - you have 3 hours of time to yourself!

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: around 145 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: it is a walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: it is designed for teenagers and it is in Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: three hours may not be enough time, but you can go deeper afterwards on your own.

This is not exactly a shopping tour, but it can be transformed into a shopping tour tailored to your needs. This option is actually a 100% customisable tour with a duration of 2 to 6 hours depending on your preferences and time.

You can, if you wish, do a shopping tour and include other activities of your interest such as contemplating the best paintings of the Louvre Museum, which is precisely the meeting point with the guide. This is a private tour, just for you and your group, which allows you absolute freedom of action and the guide is only there for you. The itinerary is organised by you and the guide, so you just tell him what kind of things you want to buy and he will surely tell you the best place to do it. The guide speaks English and the tour has a basic price of approximately 47 euros per person, but it increases depending on the length of the tour you choose.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: starts at around 47 euros and increases depending on the time you choose.
• Duration: from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the activities you intend to do.
• Means of transport: on foot, if you use public transport for transfers, the price of the ticket is not included in the price.
• Advantages of this option: it is a private tour tailored to your interests and those of your companions.
• Disadvantages of this option: you may not get as much shopping advice as you might get on a specialised tour.

On this tour, you will walk through the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood, which is located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris next to the Seine River. You will learn about the history of this area, which dates back to medieval times, and you will visit its shopping and gastronomic area, which is very varied despite being a small neighbourhood. You will be able to do some shopping and also taste some of the local delicacies. Tastings are included in the price of the tour. The price of this tour with tastings included is around 90 euros per person.

The tour lasts 2 and a half hours so you will have more than enough time to take advantage of being by the river for one of the best Seine river cruises around.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: around 90 euros per person.
• Duration: 2 hours and a half.
• Means of transport: it is a walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: it is in English and you are close to the Seine.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour is limited to Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

But in addition to all these tours, if you're still not tired of shopping and want more ideas, here are some more interesting areas where Parisian fashion awaits you:

A classic world-class shopping venue, the Galeries Lafayette in Paris

The Galeries Lafayette are synonymous with shopping and glamour. They have been known worldwide for decades and are a must-visit destination if you're in the city even if you don't plan to go shopping. From the architecture to the décor, everything is well thought out and in excellent taste. Shopping at the Galeries Lafayette is also a status symbol so the prices you'll find are not exactly low, but like all major shopping centres, they do offer discounts at certain times of the year. When you visit the galleries keep in mind that the Opéra Garnier is very close by, so you can pay it a visit.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: there is no price because you are on your own
• Duration: as long as you want until the galleries close
• Means of transport: metro, bus, taxi.
• Advantages of this option: you decide everything about the tour you are going to do.
• Disadvantages of this option: you are limited to a single shopping area.

Antiquites du Marche des Ternes one of the best antique shops in Paris

The Marche de Ternes is considered one of the best antique markets in Paris. If you are passionate about antiques and collectibles, you will find everything you can imagine and more. Marche des Ternes is located at 3 rue Faraday, and the staff in charge of the shop are highly trained antiques experts, so as well as shopping, you can chat with them and ask any questions you need to know. There is a wide variety of objects, carefully selected and catalogued to make the shopping experience even more satisfying. As you can imagine, it's not a very cheap place, but it's worth a visit, especially if you're a fan of antiques.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: if you go on your own, it doesn't cost more than the transport to the place.
• Duration: it depends on you.
• Means of transport: you can get there by bus or metro, there are stations nearby.
• Advantages of this option: it is a place that specialises in antiques.
• Disadvantages of this option: it can be a bit expensive if you are on a tight budget.

Walk down the most famous avenue in the world, the Champs-Élysées

The Champs Elysées is one of the most famous avenues in the world, and while many of the major high fashion brands have now moved to the neighbouring Avenue Montaigne, the main houses of some of the most iconic fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, for example, still remain here. The Champs Elysées is a shopper's paradise along its more than 2 kilometres, and you can find everything you need in its glamorous boutiques. You can get to this avenue by metro, bus, taxi, whatever you want because it is a nerve centre of the city. If you are not sure how to get around Paris, you can check these tips to get around Paris, they will help you a lot.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: as it is a tour to do on your own, the price is the price of the transport you use.
• Duration: as long as you want.
• Means of transport: bus, metro, taxi.
• Advantages of this option: a wide variety of shops.
• Disadvantages of this option: you don't have a guide to give you tips on the best places.

Breathe fashion on Avenue Montaigne

If you have a big budget to spend after your tour of the Champs Elysées, go to Avenue Montaigne. This avenue is currently the most exclusive street in Paris with high fashion designer shops such as Chanel, Armani and Valentino. If you want to do some luxury shopping, this is the place for you. Obviously, you won't find anything cheap there, not even during the sales, it's all super exclusive and expensive. However, even if you can't afford to shop there, it's worth it to walk down this avenue.

Interesting details of this tour

• Price: has only the price of transport.
• Duration: unlimited.
• Means of transport: bus, metro, taxi.
• Advantages of this option: you can shop at your own pace and there are exclusive brands.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is expensive.

Shopping in Paris is a rewarding experience, but it can be frustrating if you don't know the city well. If it's your first visit, you' ll want to book a guided shopping tour, so you'll know where to go and get useful tips. The best way to book these types of tours is online, through companies that specialise in selling tourist products. If you book online you can choose the date with greater flexibility and by booking in advance you can be sure of availability, but if you wait until you arrive to book directly with the tour organisers you may not be able to get a place. Another important advantage of online booking is the security of payment, as you can use a credit or debit card, an option you may not have if you book directly with the organiser or the private guide.

The city of Paris is full of shopping opportunities that can be a bit overwhelming if it's your first visit. If you want to make the most of your trip and go shopping, you'll want to book a guided tour.

On guided tours you'll have the advantage of being able to get all your doubts answered by a local guide who knows the best places to go according to your shopping preferences. If you go on your own, you're likely to miss out on opportunities because you don't know the city inside out.