The Top 11 Luxury Stores To Visit On Boulevard Saint-Germain
Sonia Rykiel store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
There are many amazing districts in which to indulge your passion for fashion in Paris, but the charm of Saint-Germain is hard to beat. On one tree-lined stretch of boulevard between Mabillon and Rue du Bac metro stations, a mere 850 meters or ten-minute walk (if you go at a fair clip), there is a panoply of high-end boutiques and flagship stores. Here, we list 11 of the best in which to take a look around and, if you’re lucky, drop some serious Euros in on an unforgettable day of shopping in the 6th and 7th arrondissements.
BOSS
Store
BOSS store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
The first port of call on our whistle-stop tour of Left Bank shopping is the BOSS store. The luxury fashion house from Germany is best known for its menswear, particularly its sharp suits, but has in recent years made significant strides in developing its women’s lines.
Open Monday to Friday, 10:30am – 7:00pm, and Sunday, 10:00am – 7:00pm.
Next stop, Burberry, the iconic brand from London, England. Once associated simply with a trenchcoat and a distinctly patterned scarf – with the latter being for a time the preferred fashion accessory of some of the less savory elements of British society – Christopher Bailey and Angela Ahrendts have overhauled Burberry‘s perception within the fashion industry. It retains the best of its heritage whilst being a forward-looking brand that is the epitome of British cool.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am – 7:30pm.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
The Kooples store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
Founded by three brothers, Alexandre, Laurent, and Raphaël Elicha, in 2008, The Kooples is self-styled as an accessible luxury label. The brand is known for combining men’s and women’s looks (hence the name) within one expertly tailored collection and is inspired by the great rock-and-roll romances of history – think Sid and Nancy but without the brutal end.
Open Sunday and Monday, 11:00am – 7:00pm, Tuesday to Friday, 10:30am – 7:30pm, and Saturday, 10:30am – 8:00pm.
Louis Vuitton store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
There’s nothing more emblematic of French luxury in the world than the Louis Vuitton logo – okay, Chanel‘s interlocking Cs may give it a run for its money – and a shopping trip to Saint-Germain wouldn’t be complete without a nose around its glamorous Left Bank location. Part of the store is currently under renovation, and from September 2016 it will be launching the brand’s new range of fragrances, its first for 70 years.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am – 7:30pm, and Sunday, 11:00am –7:00pm.
Ralph Lauren store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
After a browse through the many areas of this major flagship store from the all-American luxury clothing brand, which is housed within one of Paris’ most spectacular hôtelparticulier, you’ll be roughly halfway through your day’s fashion journey and most likely in need of a bite to eat. The restaurant at Ralph Lauren, the inventively named Ralph’s, has a décor and menu that will transport you to one of the Northeast‘s most exclusive polo clubs.
The store is open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am – 7:00pm, and Sunday, 1:00pm – 7:00pm. The restaurant is open on Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, for afternoon tea from 3:00pm – 5:00pm, and on Sunday for brunch from 12:00pm – 3:00pm and for dinner from 7:30pm – 11:00pm.
Back through the archway and onto the sidewalk, the quickest way to reprogram your brain to the French way of life is a visit to the quintessentially Parisian Sonia Rykiel. The recently deceased designer offered an inspiring alternative for stylish women of the ’70s, always prioritizing practicality and playfulness over strict adherence to trends, and her unique approach to ready-to-wear is an enduring favorite among the local style set.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am – 7:00pm.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Etro store Saint-German | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
From one corner of the Rue des Saints-Pères to the other, Etro produces luxury clothing for men and women as well as offering a fragrance and homeware collection. The signature pieces from this family-run fashion house from Milan, Italy, are their paisley bags and accessories.
Karl Lagerfeld store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
One of the busiest people in fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, who as well as designing for Chanel and Fendi, has his own eponymous line with four locations in Paris. Karl Lagerfeld– the store and the man – is all about what’s cool and creative. The Saint-Germain location offers ready-to-wear for men and women, accessories, bags, watches, and eyewear.
Fragonard store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
If you’ve had enough of clothes for the moment, or just wish to treat your nose to something special, you need to pay the Fragonard perfume shop a visit. Originating in the French Riviera town of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, this lovely shop offers men’s and women’s fragrances as well as a range of products for the home. If perfume’s your thing, you should also find time to check out the Musée du Parfum in the 9th arrondissement.
Combining the names of the protagonist and author of a work of philosophical fiction, Zadig & Voltaire is one of the trendiest fixtures on France’s shopping streets. The label combines delicate fabrics like cashmere, lace, and washed silk and yet achieves an overall look that is wholly rock-chic.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am –7:30pm.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Alexandra Sojfer store Saint-Germain | Courtesy of Paul McQueen
The last stop on our luxury shopping tour is an original one. Alexandra Sojfer creates a range of umbrellas, walking sticks, parasols, and accessories using an unbelievable range of materials such as ebony, snakewood, dogfish, crocodile, ostrich, and silk satin.
