9 Everyday Paris Shops You Need To Know

While in other parts of the world, shoppers are used to going to one or two retailers for many of their everyday needs, life in Paris – or France overall – is a little different.  

One of the many charming things about life in the French capital is that we still feel like a small town in many ways, and that’s very obvious in the ways we shop for essentials. Parisians have a trusted variety of local stores at their disposal, that they head to for each of their personal needs. 

Whether you are looking for freshly baked bread, to post a letter, for fresh flowers, or to pick up a medical prescription, getting to know the different types of Paris shops is crucial when relocating to the City of Lights. 

That’s why we’ve compiled the following guide to 9 everyday Paris shops you need to know. 

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1. Boulangerie (bakery) 

Every Parisian worth their weight in baked goods has a tried and trusted boulangerie they start the day at. French bakeries are renowned for their fresh bread (and the laws that surround them!), and you’ll be pleased to know that most Parisians live within 5 minutes of a boulangerie. 

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2. Pâtisserie (pastry shop)

Next up – the pâtisserie. How is a boulangerie and pâtisserie different? That’s a common question. While a boulangerie sells bread, patisseries sell pastries – cakes, eclairs, macarons and so many more aromatic goodies. Trust us, your nose will lead us to your new favourite pâtisserie. There are currently over 1200 boulangeries and patisseries in Paris! 

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3. Pharmacie (pharmacy)

The pharmacy in France is where you’ll head to pick up medicinal products, so it’s wise to know where your nearest one is. Most pharmacies in France are independently run, and are open from early in the morning until late at night. It’s easy to identify them as they usually have a flashing green cross near their entrance, like the one below!

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4. Supermarché (supermarket)

Paris is a busy and populous city, and supermarkets and grocery stores are thankfully, everywhere. Shopping for the week ahead, packing your own lunch and making your own meals at home is particularly important if you are saving your money in Paris – this is highly recommended as it isn’t a cheap city! 

The most common and popular supermarkets in Paris are Franprix and Monoprix, and there is usually at least one or two in every neighbourhood. Other popular stores include Carrefour, G20 and Picard. Most supermarkets close in Paris by 8pm or 9pm. On Sundays, stores are either closed or operate on very limited opening hours.

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5. Fromagerie (cheese store)

A fromagerie is a Paris shop that both makes and sells cheese, or simply sells it. Cheese is one of the many joys of French gastronomy (there’s over 1000 styles of French cheese!), and you’ll be pleased to know that Paris has a huge variety of fromageries waiting to tempt you. 

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6. Fleuriste (florist)

Love nothing more than fresh, bright flowers in your space each week? Paris is bursting with fleuristes – France itself has over 15000! Buying your flowers at the fleuriste ensures you buy only the best blooms, and you can also find many of these retailers at our outdoor markets that dot the city. 

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7. La Poste (post office)

Everyone needs a post office nearby, and in France we call this amenity “la poste”. 90% of French people live within 5 minutes of a post office! You can search online for your nearest one using your postal code. 

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8. Tabac (tobacco shop)

You’ll likely see stores marked “tabac” on your travels around Paris, and while this is traditionally a tobacco store, tabacs actually sell a range of items you may need. These retailers usually sell postage stamps, Metro cards, lottery tickets, small gifts and sweets. It’s always a good idea to know where your local tabac is! 

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9. Charcutier (meat store)

Charcutier is the name for purveyors of meat products. These retailers are traditionally experts in the art of pork products, and usually sell a range of meats, pâtes and terrines. Your local charcutier will definitely become a fast favourite Paris shop of yours, especially when entertaining guests!

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Do you have a favourite local Paris shop?

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