The countdown is on. The semi-annual soldes will kick off in Paris on June 25, and savvy shoppers are already mapping out their boutique-hopping city itineraries. For fabulous one-stop shopping, the grands magasins (department stores) like Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Le Bon Marché can’t be beat (you’ll find all the luxury labels and trendy designers under one roof). And boutiques in shopping enclaves like the Marais and Saint Germain will also slash their prices. (Be sure to check out our guide to Paris shopping, published in the February 2014 issue of the magazine.)
The soldes will run until July 29, 2014, and this is the moment to grab your designer goods at a steep discount. Later on during the sale period, stores are known to offer discounts up to 70 percent. The added bonus for international travelers is the reimbursement of Value Added Tax (VAT) made on purchases.
Tip: The stores at Paris museums have lovely gifts, and the Louvre museum boutique just unveiled a new collection of scarves and objets d’art created by designer Christian Lacroix.
Images via Le Bon Marché