Our fashion editor at Notorious Mag is spending a year in France, predominantly in Paris. Tough life, Selma. With a notebook in one hand and a pile of shopping bags in the other, Selma and her daughter Pia have compiled an enviable list of exclusive vintage shops in Paris.
So, if you are planning a weekend in the fashion capital, keep reading this article we have prepared for you.
Why Are Vintage Shops a Must-Visit in Paris?
Understanding French style means appreciating its timeless elegance and enduring love for vintage items. French women always wear or carry something with history, such as a scarf, bag, or trench coat from their grandmother. This touch of the past, almost an anti-trend attitude, is the key to that certain je-ne-sais-quoi. So, while in Paris, add something vintage to your designer wardrobe. And do like the Parisians, who don’t empty their wallets to achieve that effortlessly chic look.
Where Are the Best Districts in Paris for Vintage and Secondhand Shopping?
- Le Marais: Le Marais is the ideal destination for affordable finds. This trendy neighbourhood hosts numerous vintage boutiques, including some of Paris’s finest. The best stores are on Rue des Rosiers, Rue Vieille du Temple, Rue des Francs Bourgeois, and Rue Charlot. Don’t hesitate to explore beyond Le Marais into the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, where even more vintage treasures await. Enjoy the adventure!
- Montmartre: Known for its historic charm and bohemian vibe, Montmartre offers a wealth of vintage and secondhand shops, flea markets, and street vendors selling nostalgic finds. Its quaint streets are perfect for a leisurely shopping spree.
- Saint-Ouen Flea Market: Also known as Les Puces, this is one of the largest flea markets in the world and the premier address for vintage shopping in Paris. Open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, it’s a must-visit for any vintage enthusiast seeking clothing, furniture, and other unique items.
- Canal Saint-Martin: This vibrant area boasts a variety of vintage shops and boutiques, including some of the city’s top spots. It’s a fantastic place to discover exclusive vintage shops in a picturesque setting.
Finally, Our Top 10 Exclusive Vintage Shops in Paris:
1- Kiliwatch:
This shop is one of Paris’s most famous secondhand stores. And also one of the biggest, with over 600m ². Prices are a bit higher, but the clothes are smartly selected, presented, and in good condition. Kiliwatch also sells brand-new items and has its own brand. 64 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris
2- Free’p’Star:
It’s a Parisian benchmark for secondhand clothes. With four shops in Le Marais, it’s hard not to talk about it. Here you can find everything. Really everything! Look no further if you need a quirky outfit for a night out; you’ll find it at Free’p’Star. By the way, it’s also there where you can make the deal of your life by falling on a Yves Saint Laurent shirt that has gone unnoticed in the middle of the mountains of saps at a low price. 61 Rue de la Verrerie, 52 rue de la Verrerie. Paris 4è. – 20 rue de Rivoli. Paris 4è.- 66 rue Saint-Antoine. Paris 4è.-51 rue Saint-Denis. Paris 1er.
3- Plaisir Palace:
This place provides the most extraordinary pieces by Emily In Paris. It’s also the address where French journalist Sophie Fontanel buys her desired pieces. Owner Didier Barroso is a fashion collector, so expect no less than iconic clothes and accessories by Courrèges, Alaïa, and Yves Saint Laurent, from the 70s to the 2000s. 3, rue Paul Dubois Paris 3è.
4- Didier Ludot
It is a classic in all vintage shop guides in Paris. But make no mistake; this is not a place to get bargains. Instead, you will only find vintage couture and luxury brands with a wide range of items from designers such as Chanel and Dior. So Didier Ludot calls himself a fashion antique dealer. 5 Rue du Marché Saint-Honoré, Paris 1er.
5- Super Vintage
This super shop was founded by Shiri Slavin, a stylist trained at Studio Berçot and a former buyer at the concept store Merci. Super Vintage offers clothes, accessories and decorations out of the ordinary. You will find strong pieces, quirky seventies jumpsuits, and lurex bodysuits like those worn by the wrestlers of Glow (Netflix). But also Victorian-style lace dresses, kimonos, designer scarves such as Dior and Givenchy and YSL shoes. All at a ridiculous price. 11 rue des Petites Écuries Paris 10è
6- Au Grenier de Lucie
Incredible vintage costume jewellery from Christian Lacroix, Chanel, Lanvin, YSL and more. The shop is the project of a British couple who moved to Paris in 2009 to open Au Grenier de Lucie at the Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. 150 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine
7- Lapin Boutique
Originally an online shop, Lapin is since 2021 also a brick-and-mortar shop. The owner, Florentine, from Argentina, is passionate about the ’60s and ’70s, rock and roll music, vibrant solid colours, la nouvelle vague, Parisian cafés and miniskirts. At first glance, you will notice her preference for pink, green and purple colours and pop prints. So what will you find at Lapin? Courreges, Moschino, Missoni, Pucci and many clothes made by 70’s sewists. 9 Rue Oberkampf, 75011
8- Le Coffre
Here, you will find vintage clothes from the 20th century. Besides the fantastic selection of vintage garments, Le Coffre also offers secondhand. It is your address in Paris if you are looking for trousers. There are all kinds and sizes of vintage Levi’s jeans in the racks from 25€. Le Coffre also offers a line of new clothes with 80’s inspirations, such as jumpsuits, shirts and dresses. The service is friendly and professional, with tips and suggestions. 26 rue de Ménilmontant – 75020, 62 rue de Rochechouart – 75009, 20 rue des Dames – 75017
9- Vintage Désir
Many people mistake the name Vintage Désir for vintage hairdresser because the old sign ‘Coiffure’ (hairdresser in French) still hangs on the shop door. This place is a Parisian institution and one of the best addresses to buy vintage and secondhand clothes. Every weekend, the shop fills up with super-stylish Parisians, who come to dig out the shop’s latest novelties, which are replenished every day. It is the ideal place for small budgets. And we suggest you stop by during the week when they are less crowded. 32 rue des Rosiers 75004
10- Emmaüs Défi
This thrift shop is run by the Emmaüs community, a charity organization that helps needy people. They have a wide range of vintage clothing, furniture, and household items at very affordable prices. 5 Rue Curial, 75019
Conclusion
Mix fast & high fashion and new & vintage pieces to get the French girl style. Also, visit secondhand shops that renew their stock weekly to find real gems for a unique wardrobe. And if you plan a weekend in Paris, take a day to explore a neighbourhood like the Marais, where there is a vast concentration of vintage and secondhand shops. Happy hunting!
And if you are interested in secondhand and vintage shops in Vienna, Austria, click here.
Images @notoriousmag, @unsplash, @kiliwatch.paris, @freepstar_officiel @plaisirpalace, @DidierLudot, @SuperVintage, @AuGrenierdeLucie, @LapinBoutique, @LeCoffre, @EmmaüsDéfi