Shopping in Le Marais : the Parisian guide to the best addresses
Your guide to shopping in Le Marais, Paris
We agree that Paris can be overwhelming for first-time shoppers : crowded boulevards, tourist traps, confusing tax refunds.
And yet, tucked away in the historic heart of the city lies Le Marais, a stylish, walkable district where every storefront hides a surprise.
This article guides you through a curated shopping experience in Le Marais, from chic concept stores to a legendary department store, with smart tips to save money using Zapptax.
Let’s start your journey into the most elegant corner of Parisian shopping !
Want to make the most of your Parisian shopping trip ? Check out our step-by-step VAT refund guide for non-EU residents.
Key points
- Le Marais is Paris’s most stylish shopping district and most shops are even open on Sundays.
- BHV Marais, is an iconic department store, offers everything from designer fashion to gourmet food and a rooftop bar with stunning views.
- 10 must-visit boutiques, from cult concept stores like Merci and Dover Street Market to artisan addresses like Empreintes and Bobbies.
- Make shopping smarter with Zapptax, the app that digitizes VAT refunds and works across department stores, concept shops, and even vintage boutiques.
BHV Marais : a historic Parisian department store
Just steps from Hôtel de Ville, BHV Marais is more than a department store, it is a local institution. Since 1856, it has blended tradition and modernity, attracting both Parisians and tourists with its curated offerings.
Spread across several floors, you will find :
- Designer fashion and French brands
- Trendy home decor and kitchenware
- Hardware, DIY tools, and art supplies
- A gourmet food section with wine and local treats
- A rooftop bar called Le Perchoir Marais, with panoramic views of the Seine and Notre-Dame
📍Location : 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Shopping in Le Marais : 10 Concept stores and boutiques
Le Marais is one of the trendiest areas in Paris, with shopping options that blend style, creativity and individuality. Here are some of the must-visit spots :
- Fleux
The go-to destination for bold interiors and contemporary design. Think playful lighting, modular furniture, and curated gifts. A cluster of four stylish shops offering modern home decor, quirky gifts, and furniture pieces that scream Parisian cool. Fleux is clearly one of the best decoration stores in Paris.
📍39–52 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie
- Merci
Housed in a former fabric warehouse, Merci is one of Paris’s most beloved concept stores. It offers minimalist fashion, curated books, elegant homeware and a cosy café to relax between shopping sessions.
📍111 Boulevard Beaumarchais
- The Broken Arm
The Broken Arm is a fashion-forward concept store that blends elevated streetwear, luxury fashion, and contemporary lifestyle pieces. Its attached café is a local favorite for a post-shopping espresso.
📍12 Rue Perrée
- Dover Street Market Paris
Recently opened in Le Marais, Dover Street Market Paris merges fashion, art and culture across 1,100m². Founded by Rei Kawakubo, it showcases cutting-edge designers and rotating exhibitions in a striking concept space.
📍35–37 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois
- Besides Kimchi
At Besides Kimchi, Korean-inspired fashion meets curated home accessories and niche beauty brands. The space itself feels like a gallery, offering a calm and stylish retail experience.
📍7 rue Saint-Martin
- Ofr. Librairie, Galerie
An artful space for book lovers, with indie magazines, photography books, and creative exhibitions. Known as "the coolest in Paris," the Ofr. bookstore is unique.
📍20 Rue Dupetit-Thouars
- Empreintes
Empreintes is the French concept store dedicated to fine crafts and contemporary creation. It brings together ceramics, furniture, glassware, jewelry, and artwork from over 250 artisans.
📍5 Rue de Picardie
- Bobbies Men & Women
Bobbies has two flagship boutiques in Le Marais : one dedicated to men’s shoes and accessories and another for women’s collections. Both stores highlight Parisian craftsmanship with a playful twist of color and detail.
📍Bobbies Men, 1 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux
📍Bobbies Women, 9 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux
- Bonton
For stylish kids’ fashion and playful home decor, Bonton is a Parisian favorite. The boutique offers chic clothing, furniture, and toys making it a lifestyle destination for families.
📍5 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire
- L.G.R Eyewear
L.G.R Eyewear has established its first flagship outside Italy right here in Le Marais. Expect meticulously handcrafted eyewear with a timeless, artisanal aesthetic.
📍59 Rue du Temple
Get your VAT Refund in Le Marais with Zapptax
From high-end shopping at BHV Marais to a unique vintage jacket from Rue de la Verrerie, Zapptax turns your shopping in Le Marais into smart savings.
Zapptax is a free, easy-to-use mobile app that helps non-EU residents claim back the VAT on their purchases across France, Belgium and Spain.
Unlike traditional tax-free systems tied to specific stores and paperwork, Zapptax offers full flexibility, allowing you to shop wherever you like, as long as the seller provides an invoice.
How does Zapptax works ?
-
Shop anywhere, from BHV Marais to small boutiques or online retailers.
-
Request an invoice made out to "Zapptax" (details are provided in the app).
-
Upload invoices to the app during your stay.
-
Once your combined total reaches €100 VAT included, Zapptax generates your tax-free form.
-
Before leaving the EU, validate the form at Customs using a PABLO kiosk or a Customs officer.
-
Receive your refund within a few weeks.
How Zapptax makes tax-free shopping easier than ever
-
Works in all types of shops : from department stores like BHV Marais to concept stores and vintage boutiques. Ask for a VAT invoice made out to “Zapptax” in each store.
-
Combine invoices : Reach the €100 threshold by combining purchases from different stores and days.
-
Higher refunds : Zapptax returns up to 90% of the VAT, significantly more than most traditional refund operators.
-
No passport at checkout : Identity is securely verified once a year in-app.
-
Secure refund : Choose your preferred refund method (bank transfer, PayPal, or card).
-
Multilingual support : Help is available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Yes, VAT Refund works for vintage too, here is how
Vintage and second-hand shopping is big in Le Marais, and Zapptax supports it but with a key rule :
- If you’re buying from a professional seller (like a thrift shop or vintage store) who charges VAT and can issue an invoice, the purchase is eligible.
- If the seller is a private individual (like at a flea market), no VAT is charged, so there is no refund possible with Zapptax nor any other tax refund operator.
Important : Always ask the seller, “Can you issue an invoice with VAT made out to Zapptax?” Most professional shops can do this and they’re legally required to if you ask.
Conclusion
Le Marais is more than a neighborhood, it is a lifestyle.
Between elegant concept stores, unique artisan boutiques, and the iconic BHV Marais, every street reveals a new discovery.
Make your shopping trip even more rewarding with Zapptax, the app that simplifies VAT refunds and helps you save on every purchase.
Download it before your trip and turn your shopping in Le Marais into both a stylish and smart Parisian memory.
FAQ
-
Where can I go shopping in Le Marais ?
Start at Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, then branch out to Rue Vieille-du-Temple, Rue de Bretagne, and Rue de Rivoli (for BHV Marais). Each street offers its own personality, from indie fashion to high-end home decor and rare finds.
-
What is the best shopping street in Le Marais, Paris ?
Rue des Francs-Bourgeois is often considered the heart of shopping in Le Marais. It’s lined with trendy fashion boutiques, concept stores, and is open on Sundays. For art galleries and curated fashion, head to Rue Vieille-du-Temple.
-
Why is Le Marais famous ?
Le Marais is known for its rich history, vibrant Jewish heritage, elegant architecture, and creative energy. It is also one of the few neighborhoods in Paris where fashion, culture, and food collide seamlessly, making it a top destination for both locals and visitors.
-
Can I get a VAT refund when shopping in Le Marais ?
Absolutely, yes. If you're a non-EU resident and shopping in stores that provide VAT invoices, you're eligible for a VAT refund. Apps like Zapptax make the process easier and more flexible.
