Paris Souvenir Shops: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
Paris, with its shops on every corner. Trendy concept stores, souvenir stands, galleries, and tourist traps. When you don’t know the city, it’s easy to get lost. How do you find the real gems without missing out on hidden treasures?
This detailed guide highlights the best souvenir shops in Paris, from must-see staples to more under-the-radar boutiques, plus practical tips to save on shopping thanks to VAT refunds.
From Le Marais to Galeries Lafayette, via Montmartre and Saint-Germain, discover authentic items that tell the story of Paris in a different way.
Ready to fill your suitcase with meaningful memories?
Download the Zapptax app and start claiming VAT refunds on your purchases today.
How to Spot the Best Souvenir Shops in Paris
Souvenir shopping in Paris is wide-ranging and eclectic. Between ultra-touristy gift shops, hip concept stores, and artisan boutiques, it’s not always easy to tell what’s worth your time, right?
Follow our guide to discover where to find truly unique items—locally made and full of Parisian soul.
The Best Paris Neighborhoods for Souvenir Shopping
- Le Marais:
Perfect for design and craft lovers. Stationery stores, rare teas, art prints… You’ll love the variety and charm of Le Marais and its boutiques.
- Montmartre:
Bohemian spirit guaranteed! Expect art galleries, original pieces, and vintage souvenirs.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés:
Parisian elegance at its finest. Rare books, refined home goods, and signature French style. Don’t miss a stroll through this storied neighborhood.
- Champs-Élysées et Boulevard Haussmann:
The temples of Parisian shopping. Home to Galeries Lafayette and many iconic brands.
Top 10 Best Souvenir Shops in Paris
1. La Monnaie de Paris
Located on the Quai de Conti, La Monnaie de Paris is France’s oldest active institution. Its boutique offers a prestigious selection of medals, commemorative coins, and precious metal objects crafted on-site. If you’re looking for an elegant, historical, and 100% French souvenir, this is a must-visit, far from the usual tourist circuits.
If you’re passionate about craftsmanship and exceptional objects, you’ll love shopping here.
📍 11 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris
2. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
This Parisian shopping mecca goes well beyond traditional souvenirs. Yes, the 6th floor hosts a dedicated section for Paris-themed items (Eiffel Tower figurines, chic stationery, stylish mugs), but there’s so much more. Fashion, leather goods, fragrances, jewelry, home linens—all from major French and international brands.
For upscale shoppers, it’s the perfect place to blend retail therapy with high-quality souvenirs.
And here’s the cherry on top: most purchases can be tax-refunded with the Zapptax app. We explain how to use it and maximize your savings later in this article.
📍 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
3. Marin Montagut
Artist and designer Marin Montagut has created a poetic world in his boutique near the Luxembourg Gardens. An inspiring space full of charm, it features handmade lifestyle objects like painted glassware, wooden boxes, illustrated notebooks, and reimagined vintage maps of Paris. Each item is crafted with love in an artisanal spirit, celebrating the finesse of Parisian savoir-faire. A true cabinet of curiosities with a boho-chic touch.
📍 48 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris
4. Galerie Portfolio
Formerly known as “Paris est une photo,” Galerie Portfolio in Montmartre is a visual tribute to the capital—and beyond. This intimate space showcases and sells limited-edition art photography by contemporary artists. While many prints feature Paris, others capture global landscapes, portraits, or scenes of everyday life.
Framed prints, aluminum or canvas pieces, postcard collections—each item is a lasting, elegant artistic souvenir.
📍 21 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
5. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Paris’s oldest department store, located in the chic 7th arrondissement, offers a refined selection of design goods, premium stationery, fashion accessories, and exclusive items inspired by Parisian art de vivre. Expect a curated range of French brands and tastefully updated everyday objects. Le Bon Marché is a must for sophisticated souvenir shopping in an iconic setting.
📍 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
6. Merci
Located in the Upper Marais, Merci is a renowned concept store blending design, fashion, and home essentials in a laid-back, stylish atmosphere. Discover notebooks, stationery, graphic tableware, and textile accessories created in collaboration with artists and designers. A local and tourist favorite, Merci represents a creative, trendy, and accessible side of Paris.
📍111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
7. Par'ici Paris
This iconic shop on Rue Mouffetard offers a wide selection of carefully curated Paris-themed souvenirs. Expect the essentials: magnets, mugs, tote bags, plus illustrated T-shirts, artistic postcards, fashion pieces with Parisian motifs, and unique home décor items. The vibe is warm, and the range broad enough that everyone leaves with something they love. A true go-to for souvenir shopping without surprises.
📍 114 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
8. La Grande Épicerie de Paris
More than a gourmet grocery store, La Grande Épicerie is a Parisian institution located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. While some items aren’t suited for tax refunds or travel, the selection of tableware, culinary stationery, and refined accessories makes it a fantastic destination for elegant, French lifestyle-themed gifts.
Wine lovers will also enjoy its exceptional cellar, perfect for taking home a bottle of fine French wine. A premium selection for gourmets and Parisian chic fans.
📍 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
9. Eiffel Tower Gift Shop
Located at the foot of Paris’s most iconic monument, the official Eiffel Tower store offers a full range of products inspired by the Iron Lady: mugs, clothing, costume jewelry, notebooks, and of course the famous miniatures. Every item is carefully selected to reflect the monument’s prestige and elegance.
A little cliché? Sure—but always iconic.
📍 Allée des Refuzniks, Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris
10. Astier de Villatte
This boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré is a temple of artistic living known for their handcrafted ceramics. Each piece is unique and made with a signature milk-white glaze. Astier de Villatte also offers scented candles, vintage-style notebooks, and delicate glassware. The atmosphere evokes an old Parisian atelier with a twist of fantasy. These are luxury items, but their craftsmanship and timelessness make them cherished souvenirs
📍 173 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
Save Money While Shopping in Paris with Zapptax
Zapptax is an app that allows non-EU travelers to easily and efficiently get a VAT refund on purchases in France. Unlike traditional tax refund systems, you don’t need to spend €100 in a single store on a single day.
With Zapptax, you can combine purchases from multiple shops throughout your trip, as long as you ask each store to issue an invoice addressed to Zapptax, and then upload all your invoices into the app. Note: French merchants are legally obliged to issue invoices upon customer request.
You can also claim VAT refunds for online purchases delivered to a French address. Again, just make sure to input Zapptax’s details (name, address, VAT number) on the invoice at checkout.
Once your invoices are uploaded, Zapptax will generate a digital tax-free form, which you simply validate electronically at customs when you leave the European Union. Your refund is then processed securely to your preferred payment method (bank transfer, PayPal, or card).
Why Choose Zapptax?
- Save up to 15% off the VAT-inclusive price of your purchases.
- Combine purchases from multiple stores.
- No paperwork to manage—everything is digital.
- Enjoy multi-language support and responsive customer service.
- Even small purchases count, as long as your total exceeds €100 over the course of your trip.
Shop at Galeries Lafayette, a Montmartre boutique, or a Marais concept store and collect all your invoices in the app.
At departure, validating your form is quick and easy before check-in, thanks to PABLO electronic terminals, located in most airports and other points of exit. Scan the barcode and you’re done. Refunds are secure, and credited to the account or payment method of your choice.
In short Zapptax gives you more freedom, more simplicity, and better refunds than traditional tax refund systems. All in just a few taps on your smartphone.
Who Can Claim a VAT Refund in France and on Which Purchases?
Before requesting a VAT refund, it’s important to understand whether you’re eligible and which types of purchases qualify.
You are eligible if:
- You reside outside the European Union (permanent address must be proven with a passport or residency document).
- You are 16 years of age or older.
- You’re staying less than six months in France or in the EU.
- Vous avez effectué au moins 100,01 € d’achats TTC sur l’ensemble de votre séjour en France (cumulés avec Zapptax).
- You leave the European Union within three months of the date of purchase.
The following purchases are eligible for VAT refund:
You can be refunded on tangible goods intended for personal use, which you’ll take with you when leaving the EU. These include:
- Clothing, shoes, accessories
- Perfumes and beauty products
- Decorative objects, designer goods, handicrafts
- Cultural goods (books, posters, photos)
- Electronics and small appliances
- Packaged and unopened food products
- Souvenirs and collectible items
The following are excluded from VAT refund:
- Services (hotels, restaurants, taxis...)
- Products consumed or opened on-site (cosmetics, food, etc.)
- Tobacco, weapons, fuel, vehicles, reimbursed medications.
Conclusion
Paris offers an incredible range of shops, styles, and atmospheres. Whether you’re passionate about design, fashion, literature, or simply looking for a symbolic souvenir, there’s a store made just for you. By identifying the best addresses in advance, you’ll save time, avoid tourist traps, and access more original, lasting, and high-quality items. And don’t forget, you can save big by claiming VAT refunds on your purchases. With an easy-to-use app like Zapptax, you can collect all your invoices, go paperless, and enjoy a fast, stress-free refund process.
In short, smarter shopping, authentic, well thought-out, and rewarding. That’s Parisian elegance, too.
Happy shopping, and enjoy your stay in the most beautiful city in the world!
Questions Fréquentes (FAQs)
- What are the best souvenirs from Paris?
The best souvenirs are those that capture the essence of the city: fine art photography, elegant stationery, designer goods, rare books, or unique artisanal creations.
- What’s the best thing to buy in Paris?
It depends on your preferences, but you can’t go wrong with French fashion items, designer accessories, decorative objects, or beautiful books — all classic and symbolic choices.
- Which stores should I not miss in Paris?
Don’t skip Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, Marin Montagut, or Merci, they offer a shopping experience that’s rich, authentic, and undeniably Parisian.
- What’s a typical gift from Paris?
Think illustrated notebooks, stylish tote bags, fashion accessories, or artistic photo prints that reflect the spirit of the city.
- What’s the best area for shopping in Paris?
The Marais, major department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché, Avenue Montaigne, and the Haut-Marais concept stores are some of the top spots for shopping in Paris.
- Can I get the full VAT amount refunded?
Here’s what you need to know: VAT in France is 20%, but it’s applied to the pre-tax price. So the refundable portion is actually about 16.66% of the total price you pay in-store.
For example, if an item costs €100 before tax, you’ll pay €120 in-store (including €20 of VAT). That €20 is 16.66% of the total €120 price.
Also, most tax refund operators deduct service fees, meaning the amount you actually get back often ranges between 10% and 15%.
By choosing a solution like Zapptax, you can get up to 90% of the VAT refunded, significantly more than the average (about 70%) returned through traditional services.
