So you’d like to go shopping in Paris, but are looking for affordable, responsible fashion? Don’t be intimidated by the city’s reputation as a fashion capital, shopping in Paris doesn’t have to break the bank, especially if you seek out some of the many vintage and thrift shops. These have really boomed over the past few years and offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to buying new clothing – much of which is mass-produced and frequently overseas. Find cool second-hand clothes at these best vintage and thrift shops in Paris.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Our top tips for thrift and vintage shopping in Paris
First off, before embarking on your second-hand shopping adventures in Paris, read over these helpful tips which will make the experience a LOT easier for you.
- Know the difference between a vintage and a thrift shop: While the line between the two can be a little blurry, a vintage shop often has items that are older, like 20 years and over or from higher-end brands, while a thrift store sells any kind of secondhand clothing and are often run by charity with the profits going to a good cause.
- Bring cash: Many vintage and thrift shops don’t accept credit cards, so it’s best to have some cash on hand or else the shopkeeper can likely tell you where to find the nearest cash machine.
- Bring a bag: Some shops offer bags while others do not, bringing your own also helps reinforce your environmental action of buying secondhand.
- Learn a few useful words in French: While the French use the word vintage, thrift stores are called fripéries in French, so you may see this word or related ones linked to thrift shops in Paris. You might also come across another word, ressourcerie, this is usually a second-hand shop selling an array of used goods from houseware to clothing. The word for browsing at these types of stores (or flea markets) is chiner, so you might also see this word in the name of vintage shops.
- Wander these top vintage store neighborhoods in Paris: We’ve brought together a list of the best vintage shops in Paris below, but there are MANY others, especially in the South Marais, Montmartre, and the 20th. So in addition to the ones on our list located in these neighborhoods, you’ll likely stumble upon other great ones in these areas (or punch “vintage store” into your maps app and it’ll show you others nearby).
Vintage Shops in Paris
Image Courtesy of Kiliwatch
Kiliwatch
Occupying a large industrial-style space in the Montorgueil area and in business for almost 30 years, this is one of the best vintage shops in Paris. It has hand-selected clothing organized in different sections and for sale at moderate prices. They also have some new clothing and accessories from smaller Parisian designers that they feel are sustainable and go well with the vintage look.
Kiliwatch | Montorgueil | WA
Image Courtesy of The Kilo Shop via Facebook
Kilo Shop
Among the best vintage and thrift shops in Paris are the six branches of this popular company dedicated to ethical and responsible fashion. Their stores have a vast collection of hand-picked second-hand items at a range of prices, from cheap to moderately expensive. They sell both by weight (kilo-kilogram) and individually priced items.
Kilo Shop | South Marais (WA), Latin Quarter, Grands Boulevards, République (WA), Gare du Nord area (WA) and 14th arrondissement
King of Frip
This great-value vintage shop is situated in the South Marais, on a street that’s home to a large concentration of the best vintage and thrift shops in Paris. This is Rue Roi de Sicile which turns into Rue de la Verriere, which runs parallel to Rue de Rivoli. Although the shop is small, it’s packed with eclectic finds at bargain prices as little as a few euros.
King of Frip | South Marais | WA
Image Courtesy of Chinemachine via Facebook
Chinemachine
With two branches in the city and a hip spirit, these are among the best places to go vintage shopping in Paris. They have only carefully curated items, however, which are available at cheap and more expensive prices. They also have “happy hour” events that pair vintage shopping with good-value haircuts by visiting hair stylists or DJs adding groovy background tunes.
Chinemachine | Montmartre and Faubourg Saint Denis
Image Courtesy of By Flowers via Instagram
By Flowers
Found on the same street as Chinemachine, this is a top vintage shop in Montmartre. The small boutique has a good selection of clothing, including a lot of jackets and more unique finds, available at reasonable prices.
By Flowers | Montmartre
Image Courtesy of Sales Voleurs via Instagram
Sales Voleurs
For an extra fun and different vintage shopping experience come to one of the locations of “Dirty Thieves”. The concept thrift shop has three branches in the city, one of which is hidden behind a safe and has security-deposit-style boxes that contain surprise vintage items at prices that are a steal – all under 5 euros!
Sales Voleurs | Latin Quarter, 14th and 20th arrondissements
Image Courtesy of Thanx God I’m a V.I.P via Instagram
Thanx God I’m a V.I.P.
Even though the name is a tad cheesy, this well-established top vintage store in Paris sells carefully curated designer clothes. It’s a good option if you’re looking for high-end items, like Chanel, Hermès, Lanvin, and Yves Saint Laurent, at MUCH lower prices than new clothing from their official shops.
Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. | Canal St-Martin
Thrift/Charity Second-hand Shops in Paris
Image Courtesy of Emmaüs via Facebook
Emmaüs
High on the list of best thrift shops in Paris, Emmaüs shops sell a range of secondhand items, from furniture to clothing. All profits go towards their charitable work to combat homelessness and poverty, so by purchasing clothing from them, you’re helping a really great cause. You can find clothing at most of their shops, but they also now have concept stores focused on hand-selected items, called Emmaüs Défi. There’s a branch at the cool cultural space, Le Centre 104.
Emmaüs | South Pigalle, 12th, 18th and 19th arrondissements | WA
Image Courtesy of Vestiboutique – Croix Rouge via Facebook
Vestiboutique – Croix Rouge
Among other top thrift stores in Paris are those managed by Le Croix Rouge (the French Red Cross). Called Vestiboutique or Boutiques Solidaires, there are five shops in Paris that all have an abundance of clothing available at very affordable prices. Profits go towards their programs aimed at alleviating human suffering, like feeding the homeless in Paris.
Vestiboutique – Croix Rouge | 4th, 10th, 12th and 18th arrondissements
Image Courtesy of Le Relais / Ding Fring’
Le Relais / Ding Fring’
The French charity Relais EST is specialized in clothing recycling and providing jobs. They have donation bins around the city, whose items are sorted, cleaned and then sold in their shops. You’ll find great deals, often clothing from larger chain shops, but there are also gems to be found!
Le Relais / Ding Fring’ | 15th and 20th arrondissements
If you liked this article on the best vintage and thrift shops in Paris, check out these other articles on things to do in Paris:
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