Paris Department Stores Decoded: What to Buy at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

For many visitors, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are more than shopping destinations. They are part of the Paris experience itself, where fashion, beauty, and French craftsmanship come together under one roof. 

Beyond their iconic status, these department stores also offer a practical advantage that many travellers overlook when shopping in France. Many international travellers are unaware that eligible purchases can benefit from VAT refunds, allowing them to save even more during their stay. 

With Zapptax, managing your VAT refund becomes simpler, more organised, and easier to track throughout your stay. 

Here’s how you can shop more strategically inside Paris’s most iconic department stores. 

1. Start with beauty and fragrance

If you’re planning a shopping spree, the beauty department at Galeries Lafayette is the perfect place to start. Located on the ground floor, it brings together an exceptional selection of luxury fragrances, skincare, and makeup brands all in one place.  

You’ll also find compact products across a wide range of price points, ideal for travelling. Popular picks include skincare, makeup essentials, and perfumes or fragrance sets from brands such as La Roche-Posay, Lancôme, Clarins and La Mer.  

With Zapptax, you can also combine your purchases from different stores during your stay, making it easier to reach the minimum spending threshold for your tax refund. 

2. Choose jewelry and timeless pieces

Head to the luxury accessories and jewelry floors at Printemps Haussmann to discover timeless pieces from prestigious maisons. Small jewelry items from brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels or Prada, make memorable gifts and elegant souvenirs from your Paris trip.  

Typical jewelry finds include rings, watches, necklaces, and earrings. Easy to wear, easy to gift, they’re a simple way to bring a touch of Parisian craftsmanship home with you. 

3. Sunglasses and effortless Paris style

The accessories floor at Galeries Lafayette offers a wide selection of sunglasses, from timeless everyday styles to statement fashion pieces. 

It’s an easy category to explore if you’re looking for a stylish souvenir or a simple way to elevate your everyday look. Short on time? You can also shop online from your favourite brands and still benefit from a VAT refund with Zapptax. 

4. Invest in timeless luxury bags

 The luxury leather goods section at Printemps is one of the best places to compare iconic handbag collections in a single location. From Yves Saint Laurent to Goyard, these timeless pieces showcase the very best of French craftsmanship and elegance. 

Whether you’re looking for a classic everyday bag or a statement piece, department stores make it easy to compare brands and styles before making your decision. 

Wondering how much you could save? Estimate your VAT refund with the Zapptax VAT Calculator. 

5. End with gourmet discoveries

For food lovers, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps offer a curated selection of some of France’s most prestigious gourmet brands. Their food halls showcase the finest chocolates, pastries, teas, and delicacies, making them the perfect place to discover the best of French gastronomy. 

Look out for iconic names such as Pierre Hermé, Ladurée, and Mariage Frères, and take home a delicious reminder of your time in Paris. 

6. Claim your VAT refund with Zapptax

To benefit from a VAT refund on your purchases at Galerie Lafayette or Printemps, Zapptax process is simple: 

• request invoices in Zapptax’s name before paying, 

• upload them directly in the app, 

• the app will generate a tax-free forms at the end of your trip, combining all your purchases together, 

• validate your tax-free form at customs when leaving the EU, 

• Zapptax will refund you afterwards. 

Zapptax offers the best refund rates on the market, combining all your purchases from any store. No traditional paperwork, just enjoy your shopping spree. 

Before your next visit, make sure you’re not missing out on your refund. If you shop regularly in France, download Zapptax and make the most of your purchases.