Clothes Shopping in France : Ultimate Guide & How to claim VAT
Planning a fashion haul in France but overwhelmed by where to shop, how VAT refunds work, and how to maximize savings?
In this guide, you’ll explore the best places to shop clothes, from Paris department stores to little French boutiques. And learn how to claim VAT with Zapptax, and unlock insider tips to elevate your trip.
Trust me, by the end you’ll confidently shop in style, save hundreds on VAT, and enjoy France’s fashion culture like a local—not like a tourist.
Let’s dive in and make your shopping wardrobe and budget shine.
Shop clothes tax-free in France with Zapptax – get your VAT refund the easy way !
Key points :
- France is a global fashion capital with unique shopping options.
- Best places to shop include Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, and Le Marais boutiques.
- Non-EU residents can reclaim VAT (up to 90% of the VAT) on clothes.
- Zapptax makes the VAT refund process digital, easy, and more rewarding.
- Follow simple rules : shop over €100 during your stay, ask and keep invoices, validate the tax-free form before leaving the EU.
Why clothes shopping in France is a must
You know for sure that France is synonymous with fashion. From chic Parisian boutiques to iconic department stores, the country offers unparalleled variety, even for budget-minded shoppers.
Are you hunting for classic French labels, trendsetting prêt-à-porter, or hidden gems ? Follow our guide.
Best places for clothes shopping in France
1. Galeries Lafayette (Paris)
- Iconic department store on Boulevard Haussmann.
- Carries high-end and mid-range brands.
- Offers personal shoppers, VAT desk, and rooftop café.
📍40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
VAT refund at Galeries Lafayette : discover our 2025 guide to getting your tax back.
2. Le Bon Marché (Paris)
- Paris’s oldest department store with an upscale vibe.
- Home to luxury designers and emerging labels.
📍24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
3. Le BHV Marais (Paris)
- Located in the trendy Marais district.
- Great for casualwear and street style.
📍52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
4. Printemps Haussmann (Paris)
- Classic Parisian department store with vast fashion offerings.
📍64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
5. La Vallée Village (near Paris)
- Luxury outlet mall with discounted designer brands.
📍3 Cours de la Garonne, 77700 Serris
6. Rue Saint-Honoré (Paris)
- Ideal for luxury shopping like Dior, Balenciaga, and others.
📍Rue Saint‑Honoré, 75001 / 75008 Paris
7. Le Marais Boutiques (Paris)
- Vintage shops, indie designers, and minimalist French fashion.
📍Le Marais district, 3rd & 4th arrondissements, Paris
8. Cap 3000 (Nice)
- Seaside shopping mall with French and international brands.
📍Avenue Eugène Donadeï, 06700 Saint‑Laurent‑du‑Var
9. Lyon’s Presqu'île District
- The heart of Lyon's fashion scene.
📍Between Place Bellecour and Cordeliers, Lyon Presqu'île
10. Aix-en-Provence & Avignon Boutiques
Great for linen clothing, French summer dresses, and artisanal items.
📍Historic centers of Aix‑en‑Provence & Avignon (town centers, various boutique streets)
Galeries Lafayette : fashion landmark and VAT Refund tips
1. A must-visit icon
Famous worldwide for its grand architecture and exquisite selections, Galeries Lafayette is more than a store, it's a Parisian institution.
With over 50 branches across France, the flagship on Boulevard Haussmann offers a premium blend of fashion, gastronomy, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Shoppers can find top international designers, French labels, and emerging creators all under one magnificent Art Nouveau dome.
2. How VAT refund works at Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette allows non-EU residents to reclaim VAT on their purchases.
The refund rate, as announced by the Galeries Lafayette VAT refund service, is 12% for in-store purchases over €100..
However, the traditional process can be cumbersome : forms, queues, and paperwork. After purchasing, you typically need to go to the in-store VAT desk (near Louis Vuitton, 1st floor), present ID, complete forms, and later validate at airport PABLO kiosks. Refunds can take weeks.
3. Use Zapptax for a simpler and faster experience
With Zapptax, you skip all that :
- Ask for invoices made out to "Zapptax". The concierge at level +1 can assist..
- Upload them in the app. Zapptax will consolidate and prepare your digital tax-free form.
- At your exit point, scan your tax-free form at the PABLO kiosk.
- Enjoy a fast refund, direct to your card or wallet.
You can even combine receipts from different Galeries Lafayette departments or other stores to reach the €100 threshold. Plus, with Zapptax, you often reclaim a higher percentage than other options.
VAT on Clothes in France : what you need to know
1 VAT basics
France's standard VAT is 20%, but tourists typically receive about a 12-15% refund, not the full 20%.
2 Eligibility
- Must be a non-EU resident (including UK post-Brexit).
- You must stay under 6 months.
- Purchases must be new, unused, with tags intact.
- Minimum €100.01 purchased during your entire stay.
Step-by-Step VAT refund process with Zapptax
Excited to shop French clothes at even better prices ? If you're a non-EU resident, you’re eligible for a VAT refund on almost all of your purchases in France.
Normally, you'd need to spend over €100 in a single store to qualify with the traditional refund method. But with the Zapptax app, you can combine purchases from multiple shops, even online, skip the paperwork, and get your refund faster. No hassle, no threshold stress.
Curious how it works ? Let’s discover it.
1. What is Zapptax ?
Zapptax is a free mobile app that simplifies and digitizes the VAT refund process. Unlike traditional systems tied to paperwork or specific stores, Zapptax gives you freedom : shop where you like (as long as you ask the store to issue an invoice made out to Zapptax) and still get your VAT back.
2. Why it is ideal for clothes shopping in France :
- Reach €100 across multiple shops during your stay : No need to spend €100 in one place. Combine invoices from different stores, online or offline.
- Works in all stores : From flagship stores to independent boutiques, as long as the retailer issues an invoice.
- Digital and seamless : No paperwork, no stress. Everything is managed in-app.
- Higher refunds : Receive up to 90% of your VAT, much higher than traditional operators.
- Reliable and trusted: Over 150,000 travelers already rely on Zapptax for a secure and hassle-free VAT refund experience.
- No passport required at store : Identity verification is securely and officially completed once a year within the app, ensuring your data is protected.
- 24/7 multilingual support : Expert assistance is always just a message away.
3. How does Zapptax work?
It is very easy, even if you’re shopping in multiple stores. Follow these steps to get your VAT back.
- Download the Zapptax App.
- Shop in any store, including clothes shops. You can also shop online and make your goods delivered anywhere in France.
- Ask for an invoice made out to “Zapptax” (details provided in the app). Important to note : stores have a legal obligation to issue invoices upon request.
- Upload your invoices in the app during your trip.
- Once your trip comes to an end and your total purchases reach at least €100 (VAT incl.), Zapptax generates your tax-free form.
- Before you leave the European Union, you must validate your tax-free form with French Customs. At most exit points (airport, train station, sea ports and road border crossings), you will find PABLO terminals where you can scan the barcode on your form for validation.
If there are no electronic terminals, a Customs agent will be able to validate your form electronically with a hand-device or by typing the number of your form. - Receive your refund directly to your preferred payment method (credit card, PayPal, or bank account).
Zapptax returns up to 90% of the VAT, which is much more than traditional operators. That beautiful red dress just became a lot more affordable, didn’t it?
Conclusion
As we see, clothes shopping in France delivers high-fashion vibes and very interesting VAT savings. But without help for VAT reclaim, you could waste time and lose money. That’s where Zapptax shines, digitally simplifying refunds and increasing what you get back.
FAQ
- Is shopping in Paris worth it?
Absolutely. Paris offers a unique blend of luxury, heritage brands, and emerging designers. With the added benefit of VAT refunds, shopping in Paris is both fashionable and financially savvy.
- What is the famous shopping street in Paris?
Rue Saint-Honoré is one of the most iconic streets for luxury shopping in Paris, featuring flagship stores of top fashion houses.
- Can I wear clothes before exporting them?
No. They must be unused, unworn, with tags, and packed for export to claim VAT.
- Can I combine purchases from different stores?
Yes. With Zapptax you can combine purchases from differents stores, from different days. Once your total purchases reach at least €100 (VAT incl.), you can generate your tax-free form in the app.
- Is VAT refund different for luxury items?
VAT is the same rate, but since luxury goods cost more, the refund amount is larger.
