Paris Pharmacy Guide: Must-Buy Products, Top Pharmacies & VAT Refunds in France
When visiting Paris, it is worth saving a little room in your suitcase for more than designer boutiques, department stores and perfume counters. There is another French shopping experience not to miss: pharmacies and parapharmacies.
La Roche-Posay, Avène, Bioderma, Caudalie, Nuxe… Many French skincare brands that are now well known around the world offer particularly extensive ranges in France. It is also a great opportunity to discover some of the cult products French shoppers have been repurchasing for years.
If it is your first time in France and you are not sure where to start when faced with shelves full of skincare products, this guide will help you plan your pharmacy shopping.
And if you are flying home from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, you may also want to read our CDG Airport VAT refund guide in advance, so you can organise your shopping and tax-free process before getting to the airport.
Key takeaways
- French pharmacies sell much more than medicines. You will also find a wide range of skincare, body care, haircare, sun protection and wellness products.
- Citypharma and Pharmacie Monge are among the most popular Paris pharmacies with international visitors. Choose the one that fits your itinerary rather than crossing Paris just to visit a famous pharmacy.
- If it is your first time shopping at a French pharmacy, you do not need to buy everything. Cult products from brands such as La Roche-Posay, Avène, Bioderma, Caudalie, Nuxe and Embryolisse are a good place to start.
- Eligible non-EU residents can claim back part of the VAT on qualifying purchases made in France with Zapptax.
- Products included in a VAT refund claim must remain new and unused until you leave the European Union and complete customs validation.
What exactly is a French pharmacy or parapharmacy?
In France, pharmacies are easy to recognise thanks to the traditional green cross and the word Pharmacie displayed outside.
French pharmacies provide prescription and over-the-counter medicines, of course, but many also have a large Parapharmacie section. This is where you will usually find skincare, beauty products, body care, haircare, sunscreen, hygiene products and wellness items.
For many travellers, this is the most interesting part of the store.
Unlike a standard beauty shop or cosmetics retailer, many brands sold in French pharmacies have strong links to dermatology and targeted skincare.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, or you are simply looking for products designed for a specific concern, a French pharmacy can easily become a shopping destination in its own right.
In some of the larger Paris pharmacies, you can also ask a pharmacist or beauty adviser for recommendations. If you are unsure which range is right for your skin, it is usually better to explain what you need rather than filling your basket with every trending product you have seen on social media.
Why make time for pharmacy shopping in Paris?
What makes French pharmacy shopping so appealing is not only the products themselves, but the range available.
For a single brand, you can often find everything from cleansers and serums to moisturisers, body care, sunscreen and scalp treatments in one place.
It gives you a chance to explore a full product range rather than only the handful of bestsellers that are widely available abroad.
Some products have already become global icons. Others have had a loyal following in France for years while remaining relatively under the radar internationally.
So if your Paris itinerary already includes Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter or central Paris, it is very easy to add a pharmacy stop to the same day without travelling across the city just for shopping.
Citypharma: a pharmacy icon in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
If you have looked at Paris shopping guides before, you have probably already come across the name Citypharma.
It is located in the 6th arrondissement, in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, at 26 rue du Four, 75006 Paris.
Its currently listed opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30am–9pm
- Saturday: 9am–9pm
- Sunday: 12pm–8pm
One of Citypharma’s biggest advantages is the sheer range of products available. If you want to complete most of your skincare shopping in one place, it can be particularly efficient.
La Roche-Posay, Avène, Bioderma, Caudalie and Nuxe are all well represented, often with extensive ranges covering both facial and body care.
However, because Citypharma is so well known, it can get very busy at peak times. If you already know what you want to buy, preparing a list in advance can save you from trying to compare dozens of ranges once you are inside.
Pharmacie Monge: a convenient stop in the Latin Quarter
Another name that regularly appears in Paris pharmacy shopping guides is Pharmacie Monge.
Its Place Monge location can be found at 1 Place Monge, 75005 Paris, in the 5th arrondissement.
Its currently listed opening hours are:
- Monday to Saturday: 8am–8pm
- Sunday: closed
If your day includes the Panthéon, the Latin Quarter, the Jardin des Plantes or the area around Notre-Dame, Pharmacie Monge is easy to fit into your itinerary.
It also offers a broad selection of skincare, beauty and wellness products.
If your trip is short and you want to buy both your own skincare products and a few gifts at the same time, a large pharmacy like this can be more efficient than stopping at several smaller pharmacies.
Must-buy French pharmacy products for first-time visitors
One of the easiest things to do in a large Paris pharmacy is to walk in planning to buy two products… and leave with a full basket.
Rather than buying everything that happens to be trending, it is worth starting with a few cult products that genuinely suit your needs.
La Roche-Posay: a French pharmacy classic for skin repair
La Roche-Posay is one of the most iconic French pharmacy brands.
If your skin tends to feel dry or uncomfortable after long flights, seasonal changes or during travel, the Cicaplast range is worth exploring.
Cicaplast Baume B5+ is one of the brand’s most recognisable products.
Instead of buying an entire range simply because you are in France, focus on products you will realistically use in your everyday routine.
You can also browse the official La Roche-Posay website before your trip to identify the products that might be most relevant for you.
Avène: a go-to for sensitive skin
Avène is another brand you will find in almost every French pharmacy.
Its iconic Thermal Spring Water, sensitive-skin ranges and sun protection products are among its best-known products.
After a long flight, hours in air-conditioned environments or during a summer trip to France, hydrating, soothing and sun-protection products can be particularly useful.
You can explore the different ranges on the official Avène website before your trip.
Bioderma: the cult micellar water
The pink bottle of Sensibio H2O has become almost synonymous with French pharmacy beauty.
If micellar water is already part of your routine, take a look at the different sizes, ranges and multipacks available in France rather than automatically buying only the version you already know.
Caudalie: skincare with a distinctly French feel
If you are looking for products that work both for yourself and as gifts, Caudalie is worth spending some time on.
The Vinoperfect range, Beauty Elixir and body-care products are among the brand’s most recognisable options.
The overall feel is refined while still keeping the relatively understated character associated with French pharmacy beauty.
You can browse the different ranges on the official Caudalie website before your trip, then choose in-store based on what you actually need.
Nuxe: the sensory side of French pharmacy beauty
French pharmacy beauty is not limited to functional or dermatological skincare.
Nuxe is a good example. Its iconic Huile Prodigieuse combines body and hair care with a distinctive fragrance, making it one of the most recognisable French beauty products.
If your basket is already full of repair creams, sprays and basic skincare, this type of product can add something a little more indulgent and distinctly French.
Embryolisse: a French classic that has stood the test of time
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is another product that frequently appears on French pharmacy shopping lists.
Part of its appeal is its simplicity.
French pharmacies are full of products like this: long-established formulas that may not follow every new beauty trend but still have loyal users after many years.
If you prefer simple, practical skincare, these classics can be more interesting than the latest launch.
How to choose the right pharmacy in Paris
There is no single best pharmacy for everyone.
If you are already spending the day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for shopping, coffee or a visit to Le Bon Marché, Citypharma is an easy choice.
If your itinerary is focused on the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon and the 5th arrondissement, Pharmacie Monge will probably be more convenient.
And if you are spending the day in the Marais, there is no need to cross Paris just to visit whichever pharmacy happens to be most popular online. Paris has a huge number of pharmacies and parapharmacies, so start by looking at the options close to your route.
It is also worth remembering that stock, multipacks and promotions can change from one pharmacy to another and over time.
There is little point disrupting an entire day in Paris just to save a few euros.
Your time is valuable when travelling too.
If you want to combine pharmacy shopping with a visit to one of Paris’s department stores, you can also read our BHV Marais shopping guide and group beauty, fashion and gift shopping into one smoother itinerary.
Can you claim a VAT refund on pharmacy purchases with Zapptax?
Yes, provided that you are eligible for tax-free shopping and the products you purchase meet the relevant requirements.
In general, eligible non-EU residents can claim back part of the VAT on physical goods purchased in France for personal use and taken out of the European Union.
Skincare and beauty products purchased in pharmacies will generally fall under the category of physical goods that can qualify for a VAT refund, provided the applicable conditions are met and the products leave the EU within the required timeframe.
If this is your first time claiming a VAT refund in France, we recommend reading our complete VAT refund guide for non-EU residents before you start shopping.
This will help you check your eligibility, understand the product requirements and know what you need to do before leaving the country.
That way, you are less likely to discover after shopping that your invoice does not meet the requirements or to start figuring out the entire process once you are already at the airport.
Enjoy more flexibility when shopping with Zapptax
A real shopping trip in Paris rarely happens in just one store.
You might buy skincare at a pharmacy today, a coat from a department store tomorrow, then discover a gift you love in the Marais the following day.
With Zapptax, you can manage your eligible shopping invoices throughout your stay.
When making a purchase, ask the retailer for a compliant invoice made out to Zapptax, following the instructions provided by Zapptax, then upload the invoice to the app.
If you continue shopping at other stores, you can keep adding eligible invoices.
This means you do not have to plan your itinerary around tax-free shopping requirements. Instead, you can choose the stores and products you genuinely want.
If you already have a rough idea of how much you plan to spend, you can also use our France VAT refund calculator to estimate how much VAT you could get back.
Once you have finished shopping, do not forget the most important step: customs validation when leaving the European Union.
If you are unfamiliar with PABLO kiosks, read our guide to using PABLO kiosks before your departure.
3 practical tips for pharmacy shopping in Paris
1. Make a list before you go
Large Paris pharmacies offer a huge selection.
Before your trip, try splitting your shopping list into three categories:
- must-buy products;
- products you want to compare or discover in-store;
- optional extras if you still have room.
This can help reduce impulse buys and prevent you from overlooking the products you actually wanted because there are simply too many choices.
2. Leave enough room in your luggage
Face mists, micellar waters and body lotions may not seem particularly heavy individually, but the weight adds up quickly.
If you are also planning to shop for fashion, luxury items or souvenirs later in your trip, avoid filling your suitcase at the pharmacy on day one.
Some liquid products are also subject to cabin-baggage restrictions.
And if you plan to put tax-free purchases in checked luggage, make sure you complete any required customs checks before checking in your bag when the goods need to be presented.
3. Tax-free products must remain new and unused
This is essential: any products you plan to include in a VAT refund claim with Zapptax must remain new and unused until you leave the European Union and complete customs validation.
Do not open your new face cream during the trip and do not start using your newly purchased skincare as travel-size products.
Customs officers may ask to see the goods listed on your tax-free form. If a product has already been used or consumed, or if you cannot present it when requested, customs validation may be refused.
The simplest approach is therefore to keep all products you plan to claim a VAT refund on unopened and intact until customs validation is complete.
And if they are travelling in checked luggage, complete the necessary customs process before dropping off your bags.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pharmacy in Paris for beauty products?
Citypharma and Pharmacie Monge are both very popular with travellers, but there is no need to choose based purely on online rankings.
If you are spending the day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Citypharma is particularly convenient. If you are visiting the Latin Quarter and the 5th arrondissement, Pharmacie Monge will usually fit your itinerary better.
The best pharmacy is often simply the one that stocks the products you are looking for and fits naturally into your day.
What are the must-buy products from a French pharmacy?
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast, Avène products for sensitive skin, Bioderma Sensibio H2O, Caudalie Vinoperfect, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré are all classic choices.
But “must-buy” does not mean everyone needs them. The best products to bring home are the ones that genuinely suit your skin type, routine and personal needs.
What is the difference between a pharmacy and a parapharmacy in France?
A Pharmacie is an officially authorised pharmacy that can dispense medicines and provide access to pharmacists.
A Parapharmacie mainly sells non-prescription products such as skincare, cosmetics, body care, hygiene products and wellness items.
However, many large French pharmacies have very extensive parapharmacy sections. This is why travellers often use the general term “French pharmacy” when referring to beauty shopping.
Can you claim a VAT refund on products bought from Paris pharmacies?
Eligible non-EU residents can claim back VAT on qualifying goods purchased for personal use and taken outside the European Union.
With Zapptax, you need to request the correct supporting documents according to the instructions provided in the app and complete customs validation when leaving the EU.
Citypharma or Pharmacie Monge: which one should you choose?
If you want to browse a very large selection of French pharmacy brands and you are already visiting Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Citypharma is a great option.
If you are exploring the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon or the 5th arrondissement, Pharmacie Monge will generally be more convenient.
Rather than changing your entire itinerary just to visit a pharmacy that happens to be trending online, choose the one that best fits your plans for the day.
Can you use pharmacy products before completing the VAT refund process?
No. If you plan to claim a VAT refund on a product, it must remain new and unused until you leave the European Union and complete customs validation.Customs officers may ask to inspect the goods, so avoid opening, using or consuming skincare and beauty products you plan to claim a VAT refund on.
