Remember that France adds a VAT (Value Added Tax) automatically to the price of everything sold. If you buy enough from one store, you can get a VAT refund. This does keep prices higher than they might be at home. The VAT refund is applicable when you spend more than 183 € in one shop at one time. It is not an easy process, though. First of all, it does not include food, wine and tobacco products. Secondly, it is only applicable on what you take out of the country with you, nothing shipped separately. You must apply by asking the clerk if they have the documents for the “detaxe du VAT” (VAT refund). You will show the clerk your passport and you will be given the documents. You sign the documents in front of the clerk and take them along with an envelope addressed to the store with you to the airport. At the airport you will look for the “détaxe” booth near the security points leading to the departure gates. You give the documents to the official, show him your merchandise, he will stamp your documents and return to you the pink and green copies. You keep the green, you mail the pink to the store in an envelope they have provided, at the mailbox in the airport. Your credit card account will be credited within four months.

Many large department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marché, Au Printemps) have “détaxe” desks on hand so you don’t have to worry about it in the airport. Although it seems like a lot of fuss, it could be worth a great deal of money to you if you have spent a lot in one store.

There are annual sales in January and July. You can find real deals during these sales.

Most shop hours are from 9 or 10 a.m – 7 p.m., and many are closed on Sundays and some on Mondays. Many stores also close in August.

Be courteous: When you enter a French shop, be sure to greet the shopkeeper with a “Bonjour Monsieur” or “Bonjour Madame”, and when you leave say “Au revoir.” If they ask if you need help and you are just looking, say “Non, merci.” Or “Non, merci, je regarde.”

Sizes: Remember that your French size will be different from your size at home. Here is a list of French vs. American sizes for men and women’s clothing and shoes. It should also be remembered that French sizes are probably more true to reality than American sizes, so the clothes will run small. You might want to go a size up from what you would wear in the States.

Women’s Clothing
American size 2 = French size 32 (xs)
American size 4 = French size 34 (xs/s)
American size 6 = French size 36 (s)
American size 8 = French size 38 (m)
American size 10 = French size 40 (m)
American size 12 = French size 42 (L)
American size 14 = French size 44 (L,xl)
American size 16 = French size 46 (xl)

Women’s Shoes
American size 5 = French size 35
American size 5.5 = French size 35.5
American size 6 = French size 36
American size 6.5 = French size 37
American size 7 = French size 37.5
American size 7 = French size 37.5
American size 7.5 = French size 38
American size 8 = French size 38.5
American size 8.5 = French size 39
American size 9 = French size 40
American size 9.5 = French size 41
American size 10 = French size 42
American size 10.5 = French size 43

Men’s Clothing:
Suits/Coats/Sweaters
American size 32 = French size 42
American size 34 = French size 44
American size 36 = French size 46
American size 38 = French size 48
American size 40 = French size 50
American size 42 = French size 52

Pants: American size 29 = French size 71
American size 30 = French size 76
American size 32 = French size 81
American size 34 = French size 86
American size 36 = French size 91
American size 38 = French size 97
American size 40 = French size 102
American size 42 = French size 107

Shirts:
American size 14 = French size 36
American size 14.5 = French size 37
American size 15 = French size 38
American size 15.5 = French size 39
American size 16 = French size 40
American size 16.5 = French size 41
American size 17 = French size 42
American size 17.5 = French size 43
American size 18 = French size 44
American size 18.5 = French size 45

Men’s Shoes:
American size 7 = French size 39
American size 7.5 = French size 40
American size 8 = French size 41
American size 8.5 = French size 42
American size 9 = French size 43
American size 9.5 = French size 43.5
American size 10 = French size 44
American size 10.5 = French size 44.5
American size 11 = French size 45
American size 11.5 = French size 45.5
American size 12 = French size 46
American size 12.5 = French size 46.5
American size 13 = French size 47
American size 13.5 = French size 47.5

Shopping Recommendations: To see a list of recommended places to shop during your stay in Paris, simply click here.