Last Updated on 15th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
For those who are in search of the perfect unique and unusual find (not to mention Parisian souvenir), it’s worth noting that thrift stores and vintage clothing shops in Paris can be found in abundance throughout the French capital.
And while many of the best friperies (thrift store in French) are to be found in Le Marais, that’s not to say that other areas of the city don’t contain their own gems! Here’s your insider’s guide on where to go vintage shopping in Paris!
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Best vintage clothing shops in Paris
Kilo Shop
Though sometimes a little more expensive side as opposed to some of the other locations listed here, the Kilo Shop is a chain of vintage stores which can be found at several locations across the city, most notably in Le Marais.
As its name suggests, the store sells many items by weight and how much you pay per kilo will depend on a tiny coloured sticker on each individual item. Some of the branches even have a small corner of €4 items where you can dig through to discover unique finds.
Wander into any of the stores and you’ll never know what quirky finds you’ll stumble upon next: from vintage leather jackets to faux-fur coats and ball length gowns, each Kilo Shop truly is a treasure trove of finds.
Note that the Kilo Shop doesn’t have any fitting rooms. With this being said, of all the vintage shopping in Paris, the Kilo Shop is definitely one of my favourite experiences!
Free’p’star
If you’re looking for the perfect bargain, then be sure to note down Free’p’star. Though there are multiple locations across the city, be sure to head to their location in Le Marais (61 Rue de la Verrerie) as this is close to several Kilo Shops and other vintage stores.
A little more chaotic and cluttered in its layout than some of the more ‘curated shops’, this is the kind of place where you have to truly search to find the hidden gems, but once you find a piece many are truly worth the search.
However, if you’re looking for affordable and cheap vintage clothing in Paris, then note that this chain has a ‘euro’ section where you can get incredible bargains for…
You guessed it: €1! Unlike some of the other thrift shops in Paris, Free’p’star has its own fitting rooms, though these are not for the €1 items.
Vintage by Ramin
Situated in the very heart of Le Marais, a Parisian area known for its maze of cobbled lanes and wealth of bars and bistros, Vintage by Ramin is a casually chic and cool shop close to several Kilo Shops and two Free’p’star stores.
As such, you can easily combine a visit with this vintage boutique to several others. This is my personal favourite place to go thrifting in Paris because you never quite know what you’ll discover next- and you can really stumble on some gems if you look hard enough.
By and large Vintage by Ramin offers a selection of coats (including faux-fur ones), jumpers, and a multitude of jackets, including vintage leather. They also tend to carry on restocking on a regular basis and so you don’t really need to go on a specific day to find a good deal.
I personally really enjoy Vintage by Ramin and found an amazing hand-knitted wool sweater for the bargain price of €5! While you never quite know what you’ll find next, nor do you know if you’ll actually find anything worth purchasing, I love checking out this store just in case I find an amazing treasure.
RoseMarket Vintage
For those who are seeking out more luxurious vintage pieces, RoseMarket Vintage is to be found in the 9th arrondissement of Paris in an area just below SoPi (South Pigalle). Brand lovers of iconic marques will be delighted to discover the likes of Chanel and Dior among others.
As you might expect, this high-end store does not sell things for less than their value and so you can expect to pay from between €100 – €300 and even more per item. Head here for a souvenir from France that you’ll love and wear in the decades to come.
Though on the pricier side of things, RoseMarket Vintage is the kind of place where all of the guesswork has been taken care of for you, thus ensuring carefully curated finds you won’t have to dig through for hours.
Thanx God I’m a V.I.P.
Another high-end vintage shop in Paris is that of Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. which is to be found in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, not far from Canal Saint Martin.
Home to an assortment of both menswear and womenswear, the assorted selection of items for sale are simultaneously unique and beautiful…
Not to mention that everything in store is neatly arranged! From warm winter coats to luxury dresses, the stock is replenished regularly, ensuring that no two visits will ever be the same!
Tilt Vintage
Tilt Vintage is a Parisian vintage shopping institution in of itself, boasting locations in both Le Marais and in the Saint Germain des Pres area of the city. New arrivals are added to the shop on a weekly basis and the store is well organised.
It’s less crowded than the likes of Kilo Shop or Free’p’star, lending to a calmer shopping experience, albeit it still offering the chance to discover those rare vintage gems everyone will be asking you about!
Kiliwatch Paris
Yet another vintage shop in Paris offering the opportunity to find luxury vintage goods can be found in the form of Kiliwatch Paris, which is in the second arrondissement of the city and not far from the likes of the semi-pedestrianised rue Montorgueil.
Home to iconic brands, note that this store is a little on the pricey side, though is fun to frequent nonetheless. I particularly love that there’s an entire section of repurposed shirts turned into peasant top crop tops and some incredibly beautiful section of well-patterned dresses to browse through.
Mad Vintage
Please note that Mad Vintage Clothing has now closed in Paris, but a location is still open in Rouen. With several shops across the city, it’s fair to say that you’ll likely stumble upon one of the Mad Vintage shopping boutiques during your time perusing the city.
Though some of the finds I discovered were a little more expensive than I’ve seen before in France (a similar vintage baseball jacket to the one I own cost €39, while I personally paid €20), Mad Vintage offers a wide array of gems and wonderful finds. Personal picks include a wide array of thrifted overalls, and long rain trench coats.
Sous les pavés, le vintage !
One of the more popular vintage shops in Paris is Sous les pavés, le vintage !, which is located in the Latin Quarter of the city. In total, the vintage shop boasts 101 square metres and sells everything from handmade vintage dresses to second-hand jackets. The selection is just gorgeous, but it’s worth noting that the shop is on the pricier side of things.
Vintage shops in Paris walking tour
If you’re looking to frequent many of the vintage shops in Paris listed within this article, then know that you can easily see them all in the space of a comfortable afternoon. Below, I’ve put together a little map with a walking Paris vintage shops tour which will take you to some of the best stores.
The walking tour is just under 3 km and takes 37 minutes, though you’ll need longer if you wish to peruse through all of the shops en route.
I would also suggest that you bring along a simple French phrasebook like this one to help you get by. Though English is widely spoken, it’s only polite to learn a few words in the local language.
More vintage shops in Paris
If you’ve still not seen enough thrift shops after exploring the stores above, then there is a smattering of vintage shops dotted across the rest of the city too. Here are some of our top picks for those looking to get a bargain!
Guerrisol
This is actually a chain of shops which can be found at several locations across the city. There is almost always a bargain to be found, but you really have to hunt around to find the good pieces! The best location is probably the one in the centre of Paris at 8 Bd de Sébastopol.
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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.