Best Place to Shop in Paris -- la rue de Commerce

Sharing One of our Paris Secrets — The Best Shopping Street in Paris!

Would you believe me if I told you that one of Paris’ best shopping streets is hidden just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower, surely the city’s most-visited monument? Follow along with me, and I’ll share with you this little shopping secret in Paris’ 15^th arrondissement, just across the beautiful Champ de Mars gardens from our favorite neighborhood in the 7^th arrondissement. It’s called rue du Commerce, a very appropriate name for a wonderful shopping street!

Rue du Commerce - a few minutes from the Eiffel Tower

There are over one hundred boutiques packed into this lovely tree-lined street. A shopping delight!

Over 100 boutiques packed into pretty tree-lined Paris avenue

The first time I walked along the rue du Commerce, I realized I had stumbled across one of the best hidden shopping streets in Paris. Not only for the selection, which covers everything from one-of-a-kind boutiques to affordable fashions, but because I was shopping where the locals go. As I stepped out in the street to take a few photos, I relished the fact that I was the only person in sight with a camera. If you’re visiting Paris, it’s a short walk from many of our vacation rentals in the 7th arrondissement.

The charming rue du Commerce is packed with boutiques on a quiet one-way street

Start at the top where Ave de la Motte Piquet meets rue du Commerce and plan on spending a leisurely morning or afternoon.  It’s only five minutes walk our newest Paris short term rentals, which we’re excited to share with you.  The Renoir and Monet Paris rentals boast show-stopping Eiffel Tower views and a perfect central location — close to Commerce, close to the renowned Grenelle open air market and near all the excellent restaurantse in the 7th.

Enjoy the shopping and also the neighborhood around the Champs de Mars Gardens for it’s a true Parisian village.  Stop for a café,  picnic in the park, have lunch and experience life as a Parisian. You’ll find every kind of fashion, from back-to-school wear to high French fashion!

Pretty flats with bows

Our college-age son needed some basics before going back to Boston last Fall.  He found the boat shoes he was looking for, nice polo shirts for a bargain price, cotton slacks in pale green and blue …. even underwear.  Everything is just that little bit different from clothes in the U.S. where he goes to college – the  latest colors, more tailored shirts and slacks.

Men's fashion on rue du Commerce in Paris - good prices with that touch of French style!

There’s something for every age and taste – Frech fashion even for  middle-aged moms like me …

Brightly colored fashions on rue du Commerce

What we find so refreshing about rue du Commerce are the dozens of excellent fashion boutiques.  These stores sell the latest trends in fashion without the big expensive labels.  You don’t find them in the expensive couture streets in Paris.  Just ike Reciproque, the best designer consignment store in the nearby 16th, this is where in-the-know Parisians shop.

Women's work fashion in Paris

Discount Profumery store Marionnaud

You’ll find everything from discount perfumeries to great cosmetic stores such as Sephora.

Dress Like a Princesse from the Tamtam Lingerie Store rue du Commerce

Le Comptoire des Cotonniers - Young fashion in Paris

There’s every kind of store, including baby stores, shoe stores, young fashion, men’s, women’s fashion and high end designer stores.  Young Parisians love to shop here and your teenagers will too…

Parisians girls texting - Locals of all ages shop on rue du Commerce

You won’t see tourists here, since rue du Commerce is the shopping spot for Parisians in this village-like neighborhood. It is packed with every type of fashion boutique, café, pâtisserie, pharmacie and chocolatier a shopper could ever want. For our family, it’s the first stop when we’re looking for anything from shoes to affordable casual clothes to that special dress for the prom.

A true Parisian street on rue de Commerce -- mother and daughter shopping

Filled with cafe’s, you’ll have many tempting choices for where to stop and take a break while watching the world go by.

Stop for a chocolat chaud at La Petite Chocolaterie

With over 100 fashion shops tightly packed into a few city blocks, not only are prices good, but it’s great value for your time!

Popular Paris boutique is crowded with shoppers

100 stores to browse here

Women flock to the Kookai store on rue de Commerce

Starting at the Eiffel Tower, walk along the Champ de Mars gardens toward the Ecole Militaire, cross the avenue de Suffren and head down the avenue de la Motte-Piquet – marking the border of 7^th arrondissement and the 15^th. This charming neighborhood is where you’ll find our lovely Quincy one bedroom Paris vacation rental. Wander along the dozens of cafés and restaurants on Ave. de la Motte Piquet, known by locals as one of the best café streets in Paris. It’s a perfect rest stop after an intense morning of shopping. There are several excellent bistros and even a Starbucks if you crave a Frappuccino. Sometimes I can’t resist!

There's even a Paris Starbucks in the neighborhood

After your break, you’ll be ready for a day of shopping down rue du Commerce!

Giacobbi Store quality meanswear on rue de Commerce

Stop in at the Monoprix (think the French version of Target) at the corner of Rue du Commerce and Boulevard de Grenelle where you’ll find affordable fashions, household and beauty products on the first level and a huge grocery store on the second level. Monoprix is a fun spot to explore alongside the locals out doing their daily shopping!

Start at the Monoprix - a French Target in Paris

The Monoprix is like a small version of a Target in the U.S., and offers fashion at a good price and a nice supermarket upstairs.

Monoprix discount store in Paris - tons of fun goodies

Stroll along Ave de la Motte-Piquet on your way to rue du Commerce. This pretty street has more outdoor cafés than any other street in Paris, and is a favorite spot for locals! Guests who stay at our Monet luxury 4 bedroom Paris rental are in heaven – not only will they enjoy stunning Eiffel Tower views, but they are just a short stroll from the wonderful cafés and the rue du Commerce shopping street!

Walk Past Best Open Air Café Street in Paris

Rue du Commerce is a one-way street with large sidewalks on both sides that runs through a charming residential neighborhood.

Quiet one-way street - and pretty deux chevaux Citroen

There’s even a pretty park where you can sit and relax halfway through.

Pretty Little Park in Paris - Bring a Book and Enjoy the Simple Pleasures of Paris LIfe

Since there isn’t a lot of traffic, we love that you can crisscross the street easily if you see a shop on the other side that catches your eye. You’ll spot some familiar names right away at H&M and Zara, and as you walk down the street you’ll find a wonderful mix of small boutiques and big names, such as Cyrillus, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Pimkie, MAC, Promod, Sephora, Celio, DPAM, Gerard Darel, Jules, Arthur & Fox and many more.

Sephora discount makeup store is one of my favorites

How do French women look so chic, even while out shopping??

French women look so chic!

Before heading back home, the aroma of freshly baked bread from the boulangerie Kayser on rue du Commerce always pulls me in. Tucking the still warm baguette into one of my shopping bags, I stroll along this very special street, relishing the feeling of having found where I fit in Paris.

Pick up dessert on your way home

Enjoy a taste of French life watching the scenes of children playing in the beautiful Champs de Mars Gardens on your way home.

Children on swings in Paris -- the beautiful Champs de Mars Park

In the eening,  enjoy a relaxing evening and million dollar views of Paris from some of the most beautiful vacation rentals in Paris.

Million dollar Paris views at the stunning Renoir apartment rental in Paris