Shopping in Arles, France: 10 best shops & how to get a VAT refund
Looking for the best shopping in Arles, France? Head to the historic center, where independent boutiques, Provençal textiles, fragrances, antiques and local design shops sit between Roman monuments and café-lined squares.
Arles is compact enough to explore on foot, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a few genuinely memorable shopping stops.
Travelling from outside the EU? Before you start shopping, check Zapptax’s step-by-step guide to VAT refunds in France to see how to claim VAT back on your purchases.
Shopping in Arles: the essentials before you go
- Shop in the historic center: the best independent boutiques are clustered around Rue du Palais, Rue des Arènes, Rue de la République and the old town.
- Browse local rather than generic: Arles is especially good for independent design, Provençal textiles, perfume, antiques and Camargue-inspired gifts.
- Don’t miss the Saturday market: it’s the place to browse regional produce, textiles and Provençal specialties alongside locals.
- Live outside the EU? Zapptax makes it easy to combine purchases from different stores and manage your VAT refund from your phone.
Where to shop in Arles, France?
You should definitely start with the historic center. Rue de la République is convenient for fashion and beauty, while the narrow streets around the arena hide more independent shops, concept stores and galleries.
For antiques, wander toward La Roquette. And if your trip includes a Saturday morning, make time for Boulevard des Lices, where the main Provençal market takes over the area.
10 best shops in Arles
1. Marius Arles
A collective boutique showcasing local makers, Marius is an excellent first stop if you want something created in or around Arles rather than a mass-produced souvenir. Expect crafts, accessories and decorative objects with plenty of personality.
📍25 Rue du 4 Septembre, 13200 Arles
2. Missa slow concept store
Missa feels more like a beautifully curated lifestyle store than a traditional souvenir shop. Its selection mixes contemporary design, gifts and home accessories, making it ideal for travelers looking for something understated and modern.
📍14 Rue Dominique Maisto, 13200 Arles
3. Moustique
Fun, colorful and proudly local, Moustique puts a playful spin on Arles and Camargue imagery. Posters, stationery, candles and accessories make this one of the easiest places to find an original, suitcase-friendly gift.
📍14 Rue du Dr Fanton, 13200 Arles
4. SYS
SYS blends fashion, accessories and home décor with references to the visual identity of Arles. Camargue bulls, Van Gogh and southern French culture appear in a much more contemporary way than in classic souvenir shops.
📍5 Rue de la Place, 13200 Arles
5. La Couronne
Provençal textile traditions are still very much alive in Arles, and La Couronne is one of the most interesting places to discover them. The boutique is closely linked to the traditional costume and fabric heritage of the Arlésienne.
📍9 Rue Porte de Laure, 13200 Arles
6. Les Indiennes de Nîmes
If you love Provençal prints, stop here. Les Indiennes de Nîmes offers clothing and textiles inspired by the colorful patterns historically associated with southern France.
📍3 Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 13200 Arles
7. De Natura Rerum
One of the more unusual addresses for shopping in Arles, France, De Natura Rerum is a bookshop and gallery dedicated to Antiquity. It is a particularly fitting place to browse in a city famous for its Roman heritage.
📍50 Rue du Refuge, 13200 Arles
8. Maison Fragonard Arles
For a classic French gift, Fragonard is an easy choice. The historic perfume house offers fragrances, soaps and scented products just a few minutes from Arles’ major monuments.
📍7–9 Rue du Palais, 13200 Arles
9. La Parfumerie Arlésienne
Prefer something more local? La Parfumerie Arlésienne creates fragrances and scented products inspired by Arles and the Camargue. It is one of the loveliest stops for a souvenir that feels genuinely tied to the destination.
📍5 Rue du Palais, 13200 Arles
10. Circa
Arles also has a strong antiques and brocante scene. Circa, in La Roquette, is worth a browse for vintage furniture, decorative objects and one-off finds you certainly will not see in every Provençal gift shop.
📍2 Rue de la Roquette, 13200 Arles
Don’t miss the market in Arles
Saturday morning is arguably the best moment for shopping in Arles, France. The Provençal market stretches along Boulevard des Lices and Boulevard Clémenceau, filling the area with stalls selling food, olive oil, cheeses, textiles, flowers and local products.
Go early, browse slowly and come hungry.
What to buy in Arles?
Not sure what deserves space in your suitcase? Start with these five local favorites:
- Provençal textiles: colorful printed fabrics, table linens or accessories.
- Camargue salt and rice: practical, local and easy to bring home.
- Lavender products: soaps, essential oils and cosmetics are Provence classics.
- Local perfume: choose a fragrance inspired by Arles or the Camargue.
- Art and design: prints, ceramics or accessories created by local artists make more personal souvenirs.
How to get a VAT refund in Arles with Zapptax
If you live outside the EU and meet France’s tax-free shopping conditions, Zapptax makes claiming VAT back much easier.
1. Download Zapptax
Create your account before or during your trip and access the billing information you will need for your purchases.
2. Ask for an invoice
At checkout, simply ask the retailer for an invoice made out using the Zapptax billing details shown in the app. In France, retailers must issue an invoice when requested.
3. Upload your invoices
Take a photo of each invoice and upload it to the Zapptax app.
4. Get your tax-free form
In France, your eligible purchases must total at least €100.01 including VAT to generate a tax-free form. Bought perfume in one shop and textiles in another? No problem: purchases made in different stores can be combined with Zapptax. Once you reach the threshold, Zapptax generates your tax-free form for Customs validation.
5. Validate it when leaving the EU
Before leaving the EU, your tax-free form must be validated by Customs at your final EU exit point. If you’re departing directly from France, you can usually scan its barcode at a PABLO kiosk. Once your form has been correctly validated, Zapptax processes the refund using your chosen payment method.
Final words
Shopping in Arles is absolutely worth it if you prefer charming independent boutiques to big shopping streets. Here, the best finds are local: Provençal textiles, fragrances, crafts, antiques and pieces inspired by the Camargue.
Leave a little room in your suitcase, Arles has a habit of filling it.
And thanks to the VAT refund, you can at least pretend that the last little purchase was financially responsible.
FAQ about shopping in Arles
Are shops in Arles open on Sundays?
Some tourist-oriented boutiques open on Sundays, especially during the busy season, but many independent stores close. Always check the shop’s latest opening hours before making a special trip.
Is there a shopping mall in Arles?
Yes. Shopping Promenade Arles, outside the historic center, has larger national and international brands. For a more distinctive Arles experience, however, the independent stores in the old town are much more interesting.
Is Arles good for antique shopping?
Yes. La Roquette and the streets around the historic center have antiques dealers, vintage shops and galleries, making Arles a good stop for travelers interested in decorative objects and one-off pieces.
