PROS: 

• There are two buildings that make up La Samaritaine— the Pont Neuf and Rivoli buildings. The shopping concept is luxury-focused, with a large selection of designer brands and artisanal products, from women’s and men’s fashion and accessories to luxury beauty and perfumery, jewelry and watches, home design and gadgets. 

• The newly unveiled Designer Lab in the Rivoli building, is a combination of urban concept store and an incubator for young talent, filled with unique products. 

• The Cinq Mondes spa has personal shopping assistants, beauty studio, concierge, and other high-end services. 

• You’ll find a selection of formal restaurants onsite. At the Pont-Neuf site, the Voyage restaurant offers semi-open seating under the magnificent glass rooftop, and you can admire the restored murals and decor from your seat. Chefs with Michelin-starred credentials offer seasonal menus and an extensive wine menu. 

• Discover Cheval Blanc, Dior’s first luxury hotel that is located within the shopping complex! 

CONS: 

• La Samaritaine has been a shopping destination for almost 200 years, originally catering to working and middle class shoppers. However, since the renovation efforts headed by LVMH in 2005, the pricepoint of items has increased significantly, no longer making everything accessible to the public. This is a luxury goods shopping center, so expect higher prices than other department stores.

• There are not a lot of options for food, either. There is an incredible Michelin-star restaurant, or a small cafe to pick up a pre-made sandwich, and nothing in between. So, the variety of food and price options for dining is not great, offering no middle ground and leaving shoppers wishing there was another choice.  

PROS: 

• Being the first department store in the world, there is a lot of prestige and fame that comes with Le Bon Marché. Everyone shops here—from your local Parisian to your celebrity crush. 

• The layout and decor is incredible and you can find almost anything you are looking for here. Searching for apartment inspiration? Check out La Maison d’Edition, Le Bon Marché’s interior design space. Le Théâtre de la Beauté is where you can search for your new signature scent among hundreds of different perfumes… and the nail bar is just beside that as well. 

• The smaller size of this store makes the shopping experience more understandable and digestible. With only three floors, the curation is well thought out and compliments the space. Quality over quantity! In our opinion, the best size for a department store…you can find everything you need, and it is not overfilled. 

• There is also a small space on the ground floor dedicated to markets and exhibitions that change throughout the year! 

• Le Bon Marché is comprised of two buildings connected by a walkway bridge, so don’t forget to stop next door to Le Grand Epicerie where you can find 30,000 gourmet products from around the globe in one expansive space! Definitely the most chic grocery store in Paris. (And if you are in the 16th arrondissement, there is also a small location of Le Grand Epicerie in the Passy Market!)

CONS: 

• With its vast history and A-list shoppers, it can be a little intimidating to start shopping at Le Bon Marché. Just remember— this store has been perfecting its image for almost 200 years. Every detail has been thought out and the staff are welcoming and friendly, so don’t worry. Also, even though this is the oldest department store, it is definitely not the largest, so if you still have time (and energy!) to keep shopping after your visit, check out another store on this list.

Because of the smaller area and better curation, the price is higher here as well. The overall price point is more expensive than other stores, making it a less accessible option for many people.

If you are shopping at Le Bon Marché, make sure to stop by the Conran Shop next door! It has fun and stylish designer goods for interiors.

PROS: 

• BHV is a stylish and trendy spot with pop-up stores, exclusive fashion brands, courses in home improvement, and gourmet treats. There is an expansive beauty and cosmetics department on the ground floor, a two-floor fashion department, a homeware department spread across four floors, and a floor devoted to the culinary arts and fine food products. 
• A few steps away on Rue de la Verrerie, is the Men’s BHV Marais building, devoting all 5 floors to menswear. 
• A special quirk of the BHV is its extensive home improvement department one floor below ground level. This cave of treasures includes almost 50,000 items. If you’re a creative handyman or woman who likes beautiful, practical and sturdy objects for the home, then welcome to paradise!
• Be sure to check out the restaurant and rooftop bar with incredible views of Paris! But, arrive early because there tends to be a line to enter. 
• This is a must-know destination for expats! It is a good jumping off point for shopping in Paris and is sure to have everything you need. 

CONS: 

• Despite its rather compact and all-inclusive location, the interior layout of this store can be confusing and counter-intuitive. At times it is very difficult to locate the escalators or cashiers and it is easy to get lost while wandering around. So, go in with a game plan and don’t be afraid to ask for directions!

PROS: 

• The size! Printemps Haussmann is made up of three buildings: the Printemps de la Mode with nine floors, the Printemps de la Beauté et de la Maison with eleven floors, and the Printemps de l’Homme with seven floors. 
• Printemps also has dedicated an entire floor to luxury products: the Printemps de Luxe… you can spend all day exploring these buildings! 
• With its close proximity to Galeries Lafayette, it is also an easy addition to any shopping spree.
• If you get hungry, there are many delicious restaurants on the 8th and 9th floors, with incredible views over the city as well. They offer panoramic views of Paris and cater to a variety of price points and diets. 

CONS: 

• A department store with three buildings and 25 floors is impressive, but it can also be overwhelming. This is definitely not an in-and-out quick shopping experience, so plan your day around spending some time here. 

PROS: 

• Galeries Lafayette is one of the most popular, chic and distinguished shopping centers in Paris. It consists of three buildings all along Boulevard Haussmann. Inside the main fashion store, you will find women’s designer collections, children’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, music, electronics, cosmetics (and more!) 
• If you love fashion shows, Galeries Lafayette holds a weekly fashion show at 3 p.m. every Friday on the 4th floor. 
• The second and the third floors are the passageways leading to L’Homme, the 4-floor fashion store devoted to menswear. The third building of Galeries Lafayette is Lafayette Maison, the ideal place for those who are looking for fine linens, home  goods, and kitchen supplies. 
• There are two established restaurants on the roof of Galeries Lafayette, offering a beautiful view of Paris with delicious food. 
• Make sure to visit during Christmas to see the incredible holiday decorations!

CONS: 

• Galeries Lafayette is well known for a reason—it is large and well curated, with a large selection of stylish products. However, this is no secret… everyone knows that this is one of the best places to shop in Paris! Because of this, it can be very busy and at times overwhelming to navigate across the stores. Bring patience and comfortable shoes when shopping here!

PROS:

• Even though this location is smaller than the original, it offers a more curated selection with unique pieces. 
• It features contemporary designers, up-and-coming brands, and luxury houses all under one roof. 
• The stained glass displays are beautiful and still give the ‘historic’ feeling of the flagship store. 
• There is a food court that offers delicious quality food in a casual atmosphere.

CONS:

• Because of the smaller size, you may not be able to find everything you could at the larger department stores. 
• There are not many dining options available, just the grab-and-go food court on the lower level.