For a long time, the proud and self-sufficient Paris has been considered the capital and trendsetter. But they call him that for a reason. It is in this unique and romantic place that the most popular fashion houses, designer boutiques and workshops are gathered. Having run through the cozy and picturesque streets of the city, you can find a lot of interesting and even exclusive things. Just buy them the most profitable during the period of discounts and holiday promotions. If you did not manage to find a week of sales, do not despair. You are welcome to visit hospitable outlets in Paris. What it is? How to get to them? And is it profitable to shop in them?
What are Parisian outlets?
No shopping in Paris is complete without visiting branded French outlets. Every lover of fashionable shopping and designer things knows that this is a kind of village or a small shopping city with a huge number of brand boutiques. As a rule, these places are located a little further from the city limits. There are practically no residential buildings, but there is a parking lot and many places where you can sit and have a good snack at your leisure.
Brief Historical Background
One of the first such towns, designed exclusively for knowledgeable tourists in fashion, first opened in not so distant 1995. At that time, this Parisian outlet consisted of only a couple of three small boutiques with beautiful and bright signs. Today, the number of such places and the number of company stores in them has long exceeded more than a dozen.
What is the difference from ordinary stores?
Unlike ordinary shops, outlets in Paris are a real paradise for fans of fashionable and branded clothes, shoes, and accessories. There are discounts all year round, ranging from 30 to 80%. At the same time, during the holiday they also decrease by at least 5-10 points. That's why tourists come here, regardless of the season and days of sales.
But do not confuse outlets with second-hand stores and stock stores, where they often take all the unformat. On the contrary, completely new branded items are collected in these stores. And if you have patience, then among all this abundance, it is quite possible to find interesting models.
How do they work and is there a weekend?
Going to shopping in Paris , you should know some of the nuances of visiting outlets. To begin with, you need to know the schedule of their work. According to lovers of purchases abroad, most of these complexes work daily and rest only three times a year.
So, shops with designer things, shoes, cosmetics and accessories are closed to visitors only on May 1, during the celebration of Christmas and New Year. On other days, including Saturday and Sunday, outlets (in Paris these are the most visited stores) are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
However, if you want to get here on a weekend, you should come as early as possible. This is due to the fact that on Saturdays and Sundays local residents join the shopping fans. In addition, prudent store owners make delivery of goods on Friday.
According to visitors, on Saturday there is a huge concentration of people. There are fewer buyers on Sunday, but it's also better to come to the opening. Here they are unusual and interesting - outlets. There are a lot of similar villages in Paris. Moreover, each of them has its own focus. For example, in some tourist towns you can buy exclusively branded cosmetics, while in others you can buy clothes, etc.
Which village is considered the most popular in Paris?
One of the most popular and visited places is considered La Vallee Village. According to eyewitnesses, in the territory of this tourist town you can find about 90 different shops. All of them are representatives of the most sensational French brands.
Despite the fact that this place is located about 50 km from the city center, not only tourists, but Parisians themselves regularly come here. A huge role in the popularity of the village, as it turned out, is played by its location. The fact is that this outlet is located near Disneyland. In Paris, as you know, this one of the largest amusement parks. As in American Disneyland, there are many children's attractions and huge giant dolls dressed in costumes of their favorite cartoon characters.
Some features of the village
You should go to this village when you want to buy something, but don’t know what to buy. In Paris, this place can be found at the following address: Cours de Garonne / 3, Serris. What is there to really buy?
According to some users who are fortunate enough to visit La Vallee , quality designer items are collected here. True, they are all from the collections of last year. Most often, owners of magnificent forms come here, since it is in these stock stores, users say, that they bring the most inaccessible sizes. By local standards, this is all clothing, ranging from size 48 to size 60. Now you know what to buy in Paris, especially if you wear the above-mentioned clothing sizes.
How to get to the village?
The village has its own official website - lavalleevillage.com. It gives a brief description of this place, there are colorful photos and a work schedule. By the way, the doors of La Vallee are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can come here by public transport, private car or taxi. Users say that bus number 8 and number 19 goes directly from the city center to the village. You should be aware of this when ordering tours to Paris from Moscow.
According to customer stories, getting to the village is real and by high-speed train. To do this, go to the Serris-Montevrain station. Disneyland is a guideline.
What feedback can you hear about this place?
Reviews about this village can be heard very different, but more positive. So, many Russians emit an amazing atmosphere in La Vallee. According to them, it is some kind of light, disposable and even sincere.
Some describe store service. From their stories it becomes clear that sellers and shopkeepers in the village are famous for their individual approach. They value every customer and try to do everything so that not one of the visitors leaves them without a purchase. That is why tourists from Russia, who choose themed shopping tours to Paris, from Moscow fly to this village. Here they like the attitude of the staff, a large selection of high-quality branded items and, of course, discounts.
Nearest outlet
Some tourists do not like to travel far and prefer to shop near the city. Therefore, they like another village - called Usines Center Nord, located near the city airport. If you believe the enthusiastic feedback from customers, it is in this place that a huge number of company shops with a large selection of clothes, shoes and accessories are collected. According to preliminary estimates, there are over 500 different French brands here and there is where to take a walk.
During shopping, tourists and buyers can always use the services of a children's room, dine in a restaurant or a cozy cafe. There is also parking, and even a beauty salon. The village operates daily from 10 am to 9 pm. The exception is weekend. These days, stores open in the morning and close an hour later.
How to get and the address of the village
According to customers, finding this village is a snap. It is located at: de la Plaine de France 134. According to a general assessment, the road from the city to this place is only 15-20 minutes. And this is if you go here by car. Usines Center is impossible to miss and very difficult to drive. First, along the way you will see a large billboard with signs. And secondly, the village itself has a large and bright sign.
Really get to the place and by high-speed train. In this case, you should get off at the Parc de Exposition Villepinte station and transfer to bus number 640. And then you just have to get to the Center commercial stop and take a little walk.
What can you hear about this place?
Many visitors go straight to this village. Here they like a large selection of shops, as well as the opportunity to leave children under the supervision of adults. In the children's room they are engaged in creativity, can watch cartoons and play. And all this when parents make purchases. Some people like that this village is easy to reach, and that it is not far away. Service at Usines Center, like in the previous village, is top notch.
Outlet on Mark street
Marques Avenue Troyes is another popular destination for tourists from around the world. It is located in the Parisian suburbs on the street Saint – Julien – les – Villas 114. They say that in this village about 200 different stores are collected, where over 400 different brands are represented. Unlike previous places, here you can find not only branded clothes and shoes, but also elite eau de parfum, cosmetics, as well as interior items, including exclusive furniture.
Moreover, in addition to shops, where it is quite profitable to shop by today's standards, there is a wine house on the territory of the town. It hosts free tastings. If you get on this one, then you can really try the signature French wine or champagne. Nearby there are restaurants and cafes offering coffee, drinks, takeaway and sensational Parisian pastries with a fragrant crisp.
How to get there and opening hours
Marques Avenue Troyes is open daily from 10am to 7pm. The exception is Sunday. It is on this day that store owners prefer to relax from communication with customers. Getting to the village is also easy. It is enough to call a taxi or have a personal car. Or you can get to the station Gare d'Est (located in a small town called Troyes). And from there, a bus goes right into the village, on which it says: “Marques Avenue”.
How profitable it is to visit outlets in Paris: customer reviews
According to most users, visiting outlets is not only interesting, but also very profitable. Among the advantages of these places, many buyers highlight the following features:
- Each village has its own website where you can follow discounts and promotions.
- Each of them is easy to get to (public transport and taxis go here).
- A large number of diverse stores, so leaving empty-handed is simply unrealistic.
- All things are new and branded. You can find products even from exclusive or limited collections.
- Many discounts and reasonable prices.
- Customer loyalty.
How to get to shopping in Paris?
You can go shopping in Paris as part of a traditional family vacation or by choosing the appropriate thematic tour. Many travel companies, by the way, offer not to be limited to France, but to visit all nine of the largest outlets in the world. One of them is in London, the other in Barcelona, the third in Munich, etc.
In a word, coming to Paris, you should definitely look into at least one of these villages. As for the route, you can choose it in travel companies or on your own.