We asked luxury travel advisors and industry experts for their top tips on where they go shopping in Paris. Butter, beauty products, culinary goods and, of course, clothing, top the list. Here's our report.

One important note before the shopping sprees begin, don’t forget about getting your VAT tax refunds taken care of at the airport before you leave for home.  “If you’re returning to the U.S. from France, kiosks make the claim process so easy,” says Hazel Boone of Someday Vacations Destinations. “And be sure to ask for your money to be returned to your credit card used, not in cash." 

Hidden finds

We asked Chadi Lotfi, the front office manager at the Fauchon L’Hotel Paris where clients can go a bit off the beaten path and still snag some good deals. He suggests Village Saint-Paul in Le Marais “for its hidden courtyards full of vintage shops, antique dealers, and independent creators. It’s a real treasure trove,” he says.

Also on Lotfi’s list? “Montreuil Flea Market is a lesser-known alternative to [Marché aux Puces] in Saint-Ouen, with vintage fashion and unique finds at great prices.” And lastly, he recommends Merci Concept Store in the Haut-Marais (aka NoMa). “It’s a design-lover’s haven with curated fashion, homeware, and lifestyle goods, often discounted during sale periods," he notes.

Personal shoppers

For those who want a true luxury shopping immersion in Paris, Ellen Wyler of Provident Travel recommends We Travel France for a personal shopping experience. “We recently arranged for a personal shopper through Edwige Chevallier,” says Wyler. “The client was thrilled, from vintage stores to flea markets to designer appointments,” she tells us. 
Camille Holubar of Vista Travel Consultants uses Moatez, the founder and director at Deluxe France, a DMC that secured her clients private experiences at  Hermes and Chanel. 

Limor Decter of Embark Beyond says: "Book a private shopper at La Samaritaine for a most civil and seamless shopping experience in their gorgeous apartments,” she says, referring to the large department store in the first arrondissement of Paris. It's also home to Europe's largest beauty retail space, and, it's adjacent to the 72-room Cheval Blanc Paris hotel.

Pharmacy fun

Evelyne Gaudin of Travels with Evelyne is also a fan of La Samaritaine and of Le Bon Marche on the Left Bank. “But when I’m in Paris or anywhere in France, I always go to a pharmacy and I recommend this to my clients as well.” Gaudin says that French pharmacies serve up “the best skin products and even vitamins at a much cheaper price than in the U.S.” She suggests also purchasing suntan lotion and skincare products from her favorite beauty line, Caudalie.
“And if you and your clients can afford it, the gorgeous stores along Rue St. Honore are where I go to get my Longchamp bags!” says Gaudin.

MaryDee Snow of Mary Dee Travel considers Monoprix, a retail chain with multiple locations in Paris, “to be the French Target in the best way. It has great inexpensive clothes, decor and food and pharmacy items,” she tells us. She’s also a fan of the department store Galeries Lafayette “which has their own private label brand. Their cashmere is great quality and inexpensive,” she adds.

Barbara Khan of Journeys by the Book is just back from Paris and got some of her most-coveted items at Fragonard. “I had to get my favorite Nuxe Crème Fraiche facial moisturizer. I also bought a perfume and a room diffuser. I had been on the hunt for an orange blossom scent. I got both from Fragonard,” she says. Khan also suggests CityPharma [located at the corner of rue du Four and rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement] as a great place to shop in Paris, “but come with a list, it’s overwhelming!” she says. “Monoprix is excellent for really cute and clever things in all categories that won’t break the bank. It’s a great place for souvenirs and gifts,” says Khan.
Sharon Pomerantz Strelzer of Travel Made Special loves Guerlain perfume and will visit their shop in Paris or stop by Galeries Lafayette to purchase their products. “I love their Manderin Orange scent; such a fresh smell and Rose, where I literally feel surrounded in a bouquet of roses,” says Strelzer. “I also love Fragonard for soaps, perfumes and their beautiful kitchen linen tablecloths and more. The store in Le Marais is my go-to.” (Note: Galeries Lafayette has a Champagne bar on the second floor. Just sayin’.)

Unique finds to take home

Devra Resnick Shutan at Andavo Travel has this list of favorites for shopping in Paris:  “Officine Universelle Buly [beauty products for body, face, hair and home] for personalized gifts and lovely apothecary; Merci Paris [for fashion items and design objects] is so much fun; Bode Paris [for fashion clothing; located by Palais Royal in the 1st arrondissement] is pricey but so cool, especially for the custom painted items; From Future for bright cashmere sweaters; The Frankie Shop for fashion staples and Sezane for affordable but chic styles.”

Travel writer and Paris tour guide and travel writer Richard Nahem knows le Marais inside and out and suggests a visit to rue de Pont Louis-Philippe (75004) where he brings all his clients. “All the boutiques are mandated by the city to have only handmade or hand-crafted products,” says Nahem. “There’s jewelry shop called Jocelyne Aubrée, which has beautiful colored glass jewelry. Then there’s Calligrane Paris and Mélodies Graphiques for beautiful paper and stationery, and Pierre Bosset for handsome handbags and leather goods,” says Nahem.

Jody Katz of The Katz Collection Hospitality Representation Firm tells us that there are always good “pop up” stores in the 1st, 4th and 6th arrondissements for jewelry, clothes and purses.

“The Zara on the Champs Elysees is huge; I also like the Morgan store down the street," says Katz. "I gave up on Galleries Lafayette, it’s too crowded, and they carry a smaller section of merchandise than going to the individual stores. But, if you’re short on time, go there! There are also a lot of shoe stores on Rue Dragon in the 6th.” Her final tip? Satellite Paris for costume jewelry in the 4th arrondissement.  “They also have a nice store in Cannes!” says Katz.

Gifts for cooks and chefs

For those who want to bring back a bit of magic from Paris’ culinary world, Eva Grodberg at Epic Experiences suggests these shops:  E. Dehillerin, a kitchen supply store at 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 7500; Mora (also kitchen supplies) at 13 Rue Montmartre, 75001 and G. Detou Paris (a gourmet grocery store) at 58 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002. “I’ve been going to G.Detou Paris for years for vanilla pods, foie gras and mustards, but now it's the place for the Maison Bordier butter many people are bringing home,” says Grodberg, referring to the artisanal French butter from Brittany.

Denese Senno of Ovation Travel Group is also a fan of Maison Bordier butter (she likes the plain salted variety) and gets hers from Le Bon Marche in the 7th. “They will vacuum pack a few bars for 1euro,” she says. “I have the hotel refrigerate it just so it keeps it shape. Then I freeze it when I get home and use it all year. It’s a unique souvenir to share with family and friends. There’s nothing better than French butter!” says Senno.

Wait, there’s more. Pascale Gherardi, President at Voyage by Pascale obtains her Maison Bordier butter from the food hall La Grande Épicerie de Paris. “They vacuum seal it right at the cashier so you can travel and bring it back home,” she says.

Did we discuss spices from Paris? We’ve got your back. Shari Weinstein at Swoon Worthy Travel recommends Épices Roellinger in the 2nd arrondissement. “They have the best spices from around the world,” says Weinstein. “The amazing spice blends are the creation of former one-, two- and three-star Michelin chef, Olivier Roellinger. Their size makes for easy travel to give as great gifts. This reminds me that I need to get back to Paris!” she adds.

A final tip? Cindy Weasen of Global Travel Collection tells us that Nespresso coffee pods are priced much more reasonably in Europe, so stock up!