Why choosing the right bag in Paris is so tricky
Paris is a city where bags matter. They’re not just accessories — they’re part of how you move through daily life: riding the métro, browsing a bookshop, sitting at a café terrace, hopping on a train for a weekend away. The challenge? There are so many good options. Do you go for a luxury investment piece like a Chanel flap? A bucket bag that balances chic and utility? A crossbody for hands-free days? Or the perfect tote bag that carries a laptop, a baguette, and a little piece of Parisian life?
Here’s your curated guide to the best bags to buy in Paris — from legendary maisons to cult designers, eco-conscious newcomers, and the totes Parisians actually carry every day.
Luxury & Heritage: The Icons
These houses define French style and make for a true Paris pilgrimage.
- Louis Vuitton → Founded in Paris in 1854, LV is synonymous with travel chic. The Speedy, Neverfull, and Alma are classics, while flagship boutiques sometimes stock Paris-only editions or offer hot-stamped personalization. Don’t miss the Champs-Élysées flagship.
- Chanel → The 2.55 and Classic Flap are icons of elegance. Shopping at 31 Rue Cambon isn’t just a retail stop — it’s stepping into Coco Chanel’s history. Expect seasonal colors and exclusives you won’t find elsewhere.
- Hermès → The holy grail of Parisian luxury. From the Birkin to the Kelly, Hermès represents craftsmanship at its pinnacle. Even browsing in their Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré flagship is an experience.
- Céline → Sleek, architectural handbags like the Belt Bag or Luggage Tote embody modern minimalism. Paris boutiques often have shades and finishes not exported worldwide.
- Lemaire → Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran’s label is all about quiet luxury and architectural design. The Croissant bag — named for its folded, sculptural silhouette — is already a modern icon. Discreet, supple, and instantly recognizable to those in the know.
- Isabel Marant → Known for bohemian Parisian chic, Marant’s bags (bucket, hobo, casual crossbodies) are perfect for everyday cool.
Cult Parisian Designers: Chic with Personality
For something unique and stylish without the Hermès waitlist.
- Polène → Founded by three siblings, Polène offers sculptural, minimalist bags like the Numéro Un and Numéro Sept. Their boutique in Le Marais is a design gem.
- Jérôme Dreyfuss → Beloved for slouchy yet elegant leather bags with names like Billy and Lulu. Expect supple leather, practical pockets, and a playful Parisian vibe.
- Soeur → A label balancing elegance and utility. Their leather crossbodies, shoppers, and canvas totes feel timeless, unfussy, and chic — exactly what you’d expect a Parisian sister brand to deliver.
- Amélie Pichard → Bags with personality — think glitter finishes, bold textures, and trompe-l’œil details.
- Rouje → Jeanne Damas’ label channels vintage Parisian romance. The bags are often mini crossbodies or feminine suede pieces.
- Atelier Auguste → Minimalist, urban leather bags. Perfect for a chic but discreet everyday look.
- RSVP → Sleek, contemporary leather bags at mid-range prices. A balance of modernity and craft.
Everyday French Favorites: Practical & Chic
French women love bags that are stylish but not fussy. These are the workhorses.
- Longchamp → The Le Pliage tote is a global icon, but in Paris you’ll find boutique-only editions, leather upgrades, and seasonal prints.
- Sézane → The Claude, Milo, and Abel are among their bestsellers. Visit their “Appartement” boutiques in Paris for exclusive colors.
- A.P.C. → Understated cool. Their half-moon crossbody is a cult classic.
- Sandro → Trend-forward leather bags with a fashion edge.
- Zadig & Voltaire – Rocky Bag → A Paris street-style essential. The Rocky bag is compact yet surprisingly roomy, with rock-inspired hardware and a laid-back luxe vibe. It’s crossbody, practical, and everywhere in the city — from the métro to café terraces.
- Lancaster → Affordable yet quality leather bags — a quiet Parisian staple.
- Vanessa Bruno → The cabas tote with sequins is beloved for being light, roomy, and chic.
- Gérard Darel – 24h Bag → A structured, versatile everyday carryall.
- Nat & Nin → Parisian sisters offering playful, colorful leather bags perfect for daily use.
- Balzac Paris → A new-generation label with a strong focus on sustainability (B Corp certified). Their handbags and woven totes are timeless, chic, and eco-responsible.
Eco-Friendly & Local Innovators
Paris’s bag scene is also leading on sustainability and artisanal craft.
- Hindbag → Fair-trade canvas bags designed in Paris and made in India by a women’s NGO. Affordable, colorful, and ethical.
- Rive Droite → Weekend bags, backpacks, and totes made from upcycled fabrics like denim and cotton. Casual, urban, and eco-chic.
- Dragon Diffusion → Handwoven leather totes with artisanal appeal. Each bag feels like a timeless heirloom.
- CAHU → Structured totes and travel bags with a modern Parisian twist. Durable, functional, yet stylish enough for meetings and trips.
Tote Culture: The Everyday Parisian Essential
Sometimes the most Parisian bag is the simplest.
- Merci Tote → The cult cotton tote from the Merci concept store in Le Marais. Minimal, functional, instantly recognizable.
- Shakespeare & Company Tote → The most literary souvenir in Paris. Book-lovers around the world seek it out.
- Jimmy Fairly Tote → Lightweight and chic — so good people buy it without the glasses.
- Monoprix Shopping Bag → A humble yet beloved staple. Seasonal designs make them surprisingly collectible.
The Parisian Bag Formula
The secret to Parisian style isn’t about owning dozens of bags — it’s about having the right mix. Most Parisians build their bag wardrobe around three essentials:
- The Luxury Icon → A Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, or even a Lemaire Croissant — the kind of bag that lasts forever.
- The Chic Designer → Something by Jérôme Dreyfuss, Polène, Soeur, Zadig & Voltaire, or Balzac. Unique, wearable, and stylish.
- The Everyday Carryall → A tote from Merci, Shakespeare & Co., Monoprix, or Jimmy Fairly. Light, practical, and used daily.
That trio — luxury + designer + everyday tote — is what creates the effortless, layered bag style you see on the streets of Paris.
📍 Paris Bag Shopping Directory
Luxury & Heritage
- Chanel — 31 Rue Cambon, 75001 (historic flagship)
- Louis Vuitton — 101 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008
- Hermès — 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008
- Céline — 53 Rue François 1er, 75008
- Lemaire — 1 Rue Elzévir, 75003
- Isabel Marant — 47 Rue Saintonge, 75003
Cult Designers & High-Street Favorites
- Polène — 69 Rue de Richelieu, 75002
- Jérôme Dreyfuss — 1 Rue Jacob, 75006
- Soeur — 88 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003
- Amélie Pichard — 17 Rue de Poitou, 75003
- Rouje — 11 bis Rue Bachaumont, 75002
- Atelier Auguste — 8 Rue de Turenne, 75004
- RSVP Paris — 22 Rue Charlot, 75003
Everyday French Favorites
- Longchamp — 404 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
- Sézane — 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre, 75002 (L’Appartement)
- A.P.C. — 38 Rue Madame, 75006
- Sandro — 21 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004
- Zadig & Voltaire — 11 Rue François 1er, 75008
- Lancaster — 421 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75008
- Vanessa Bruno — 25 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006
- Gérard Darel — 174 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006
- Nat & Nin — 12 Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 75011
- Balzac Paris — 32 Rue de Turenne, 75003
Eco-Friendly & Local Innovators
- Hindbag — Stocked at La Caserne concept store, 12 Rue Philippe de Girard, 75010
- Rive Droite — 91 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
- Dragon Diffusion — Often stocked at Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
- CAHU — 8 Rue de la Sourdière, 75001
Tote Culture
- Merci — 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
- Shakespeare & Company — 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005
- Jimmy Fairly — 64 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 (many Paris locations)
- Monoprix — Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 (central location)
Carrying Paris With You
Shopping for bags in Paris is about more than fashion — it’s about lifestyle, history, and personality. Whether you’re investing in a Chanel flap, discovering Polène in the Marais, or picking up a Shakespeare tote to carry your books home, each bag tells a story.
And in Paris, a bag is never just a bag. It’s part of your everyday poetry.
Planning a shopping trip to Paris? Don’t miss my other guides on where to shop, eat, and stay like a local.
👉 Explore more Paris insider tips here
