Tax-free shopping in Paris: 8 Best French fashion brands for travellers exploring France

When it comes to fashion, France has always been synonymous with elegance, sophistication, and timeless style. While big names like Chanel and Dior dominate the global fashion scene, there is a treasure trove of hidden gems in the form of French niche clothing brands that offer unique, high-quality designs. If you're a traveller exploring France, this blog post is your key to unlocking the world of these lesser-known French brands. Additionally, we'll share valuable tips on how to make your shopping experience even more rewarding by using the Wevat tax refund app for tax-free savings. Get ready to embark on a fashionable journey through the best-kept secrets of French fashion.

Must-visit French fashion brands in Paris

1. Maison Kitsuné: The fusion of French and Japanese styles

Maison Kitsuné seamlessly blends French elegance with a touch of Japanese street style, appealing to a young and fashion-forward audience with its playful and contemporary designs. Their signature fox logo has become instantly recognisable and a symbol of the brand's eclectic style. The collections of sweaters, cardigans, and canvas bags are all unique and of high quality, reflecting Maison Kitsuné's commitment to craftsmanship. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to visit their cafe called Cafe Kitsune in Paris, indulging in their delightful drinks and taking some memorable pictures.

Address: 18 Bd des Filles du Calvaire, 75011 Paris, France

2. Sézane: Embracing the effortless Parisian style

Sézane is a Parisian brand that has gained a cult following for its effortlessly chic and sustainable clothing. The brand adopts a "less is more" approach, releasing only a few collections each year. From silk blouses to stylish denim and beautiful accessories, Sézane captures the essence of French style while maintaining a strong focus on environmental and social responsibility. Their designs often incorporate classic elements such as lace and floral patterns but with an elevated and refined aesthetic. The knitwear and sweater collections are signature pieces, particularly popular among professional women seeking versatile and stylish options for their wardrobes.

Address: 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 Paris, France

3. Rouje: Timeless charm with a vintage flair

Rouje, founded by French fashion influencer Jeanne Damas, has quickly emerged as a new symbol of French style, with its products selling out within moments of release. Known for its feminine silhouettes, floral prints, and retro-inspired designs, the brand offers a range of timeless pieces that exude undeniable charm. The Gabin Dress and the La Josephine Blouse are particularly popular choices among fashion enthusiasts. With its carefully curated collections, Rouje perfectly encapsulates Parisian elegance and has become the ultimate go-to brand for those seeking a touch of vintage flair.

Address: 11 bis Rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris, France

4. IRO: Rock 'n' Roll edge with Parisian sophistication

IRO is a French brand that brings a rock 'n' roll edge to Parisian style. Founded by two brothers with a background in music production, the brand infuses various themes into its designs, including Parisian romanticism, 70s American style, and Japanese tailoring. Known for its edgy yet refined designs, IRO strikes the perfect balance between effortless elegance and urban chic. Their collections feature leather jackets, distressed denim, and statement pieces that embody a sense of rebellion and nonchalant glamour. IRO is the go-to brand for those who want to add a touch of rock-inspired style to their wardrobe.

Address: 38 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris, France

5. Soi Paris: Bohemian chic with a contemporary edge

Soi Paris is a brand that captures the spirit of wanderlust and travels through its original prints and vibrant colors. Founded by two sisters, Aurélie and Julia, the brand draws inspiration from their travels around the globe. From delicate flowers and charming animals to captivating urban landscapes, their collections feature eye-catching patterns and motifs that reflect the beauty and diversity of different cultures. From flowy dresses and tailored blouses to scarves and accessories, Soi Paris offers a range of pieces that effortlessly blend comfort, style, and a sense of adventure.

Address: 104 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 Paris, France

6. Isabel Marant: Effortless Parisian cool

Isabel Marant, with a professional background and extensive experience in the fashion industry, has established herself as a prominent figure in the fashion world. Her designs embody an effortless and nonchalant approach, incorporating embroidery and printing techniques that result in truly unique creations. From her iconic wedge sneakers to flowing dresses, tailored jackets, and statement accessories, the brand offers a diverse range of pieces that embody the essence of Parisian cool. Her designs are coveted by fashion-forward individuals who seek an effortlessly stylish look that transitions seamlessly from day to night.

Address: 354 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

7. Agnès b.: Timeless minimalism and understated chic

Agnès b. is an iconic French brand that epitomises minimalist aesthetics and is renowned for its simplicity and refined style. From impeccably tailored blazers to classic logo T-shirts, its designs embody a sophisticated and effortless approach to fashion. Agnès b. offers high-quality essentials that exude understated elegance, proving that great quality doesn't always come with an exorbitant price tag. Whether you're looking for a chic blazer to elevate your professional attire or a classic T-shirt for a casual yet polished look, Agnès b. has you covered.

Address: 6 Rue du Vieux Colombier, 75006 Paris, France

8. Figaret Paris: French elegance in classic shirts

Figaret Paris is a brand synonymous with timeless elegance, specialising in exquisitely tailored shirts for both men and women. With a strong focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail, the brand creates shirts that embody French sophistication. From crisp white button-downs to playful prints and luxurious fabrics, their shirts are designed to elevate any outfit. Notably, their recent collection featured a subtle and elegant addition - a faintly sewn French phrase, "je t'aime," on the neckline. This romantic touch adds an extra layer of charm to the shirts, making them even more special for wearers.

Address: 21 Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris, France

The good news is that as non-EU citizens (including British travellers as a result of Brexit), you can take advantage of claiming tax refunds on purchases made on a majority of items, including clothes, bags, jewelry, and accessories that you plan to take home. With the Wevat tax refund app, you can easily obtain a VAT refund and save up to 13% on your purchases! Keep reading to learn more!

How to get a tax refund on your shopping for French fashion brands

There are two main ways you can get a tax refund on shopping in France – using a traditional in-store paper method, or a mobile tax refund app like Wevat. The main perk of using a digital method like Wevat is the higher refund rates you can enjoy compared with the traditional in-store method, not to mention the convenience of not having to deal with paper forms ever again.

Previously, you’d have to carry your passport with you when shopping and show it to the store every time you buy something to get a tax refund form. With Wevat, all you need to do is to ask for a purchase invoice addressed to Wevat at the till – no more hassle and waiting around at the checkout.

Another benefit of shopping with Wevat is that there are no restrictions on partner stores. Some local boutiques or niche French brands may not be partnered with traditional tax refund companies to offer VAT refunds to tourists. However, by using Wevat, you can still take advantage of the VAT savings by asking for a ‘facture’ (’Invoice’ in French) when making purchases at stores that do not issue refund forms.

Another significant benefit of shopping with the Wevat tax-free shopping app is that there’s no minimum spending requirement in a single store. As long as you spend a total of over €100 across all your purchases during your trip in France, you can claim your tax back!

When departing, traditional methods often involve complex airport procedures with customs, and you’ll have to wait up to 8 weeks to get your money back. Wevat’s scan-and-go system makes the process much faster and easier. You can track the refund progress using the in-app refund tracker or check with the friendly customer support team thorugh the app. (See these articles to learn more about what you need to do at the airport, train station and ferry port you’re leaving from).

Recap of how to use Wevat

Follow these five steps to get your VAT back in a simple way with Wevat.

Download the app – make sure you have signed up and have onboarded before visiting the store
Request a ‘facture’ (invoice) - show the ”request an invoice” screen in the app to get a business invoice with Wevat's name and address. Make sure the invoice is not addressed to yourself!
Snap your invoice – upload it straight to the app, ideally immediately before you’ve left the store
Generate refund barcode – follow the prompts on the screen to get your digital refund form
Scan and go – visit the tax refund kiosk at your departure point, scan your refund barcode on the Wevat app, and off you go! Make sure to keep your goods on hand in case customs inspects the goods (in unused and original packaging).

Examples of a valid invoice and Wevat address can be found in the app. We also have helpful step-by-step videos on our YouTube channel.

Tips for getting an invoice:

Ask for a “facture” (Invoice in French) addressed to Wevat (Click our mascot on the app homepage to find the “request an invoice” screen. Simply show the screen containing Wevat’s address details to the store staff to get the right purchase invoice
Do not mention tax refund in the store, otherwise the sales assistant will issue you a paper tax refund form from a traditional tax refund company and you will not be able to use Weva

About Wevat

Wevat is a digital tax refund app that makes it easy for travellers to save money on their shopping in France! We are a community of people who love traveling, shopping, and saving money. Since our launch in 2019, we've helped refund travellers from 88 countries more than €18 million on their shopping.

Compared with in-store VAT refund providers, Wevat gives you up to 23% more VAT back with no minimum spending requirements on each purchase. With Wevat, you can simply snap a picture of your purchase invoices and then generate and scan your barcode when you leave France. There are no paper forms, repeated scanning, or dropping off forms required with us. Our super-friendly, multilingual customer support team will be always on hand to support you throughout your trip via our app.

We are fully regulated by both French and UK customs and tax authorities.

Download our app now to start saving money on your shopping in France!

Download Wevat