Paris Shopping Guide: Where To Go And What To Buy

Photo credit: CC license by Francisco Gonzalez

2. Depot-Vente Stores

If you’re looking for that tucked-away Parisian shop that can net you top, authentic designer gear at fire sale prices, look for the depot-vente stores. Depot-vente are Parisian consignment shops, and they can be a gold mine for people looking for top-of-the-line gear from the world’s top designers. The fashions are usually from prior seasons since many of the women who drop off clothes at these shops wouldn’t be caught dead wearing anything but the very latest styles. It’s a win-win for everyone; the women dropping off the clothes get back a percentage of the money that they paid for the clothes, and buyers get to walk away with top designer gear for pennies on the dollar.

There are depot-ventes in practically every arondissement in Paris, and each one takes on the characteristics of the area that its in. Knowing about the area the depot-vente is located in can give you a big clue about the types of clothes you’ll find inside. Some popular shops include Depot-Vente de Passy in the 16th arrondisement and Defile des Marque in the 7th. Reciproque on the rude de la Pompe is one of the largest at ten thousand square feet.