Itinerary Summary
Day one checks into the Opera district, then Haussmann's Galeries Lafayette flagship and Printemps anchor day two, with a free rooftop view. Day three crosses to the Left Bank for Le Bon Marche and Bo…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in the Opera district and Boulevard Haussmann
10:00
1.5h
RER B from CDG to Chatelet
Ride the RER B into the centre in about 35 minutes and walk to the Opera district. Buy a single from the machine and keep the ticket for the exit gate.
📍 Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
13:00
1.5h
Hotel check-in near the Opera
Check into a hotel within walking distance of the department stores and the metro. Ask the desk for a map of the surrounding boutiques and their Sunday opening hours.
📍 Opera district
17:00
1.5h
Boulevard Haussmann window shopping
Walk the boulevard past the lit windows of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps before the stores close. The Christmas windows are worth the trip from mid-November.
📍 Boulevard Haussmann
💡 Pro Tip: The RER B from CDG stops at Chatelet, a short walk from the Opera. Keep your passport with you, as shops need it for VAT refund forms. Entry rules depend on your passport; check the France visa section. France is UTC+1, moving to UTC+2 in summer.
Days 2-5 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$52035%
Opera-district hotels, 4 nights
Food & DiningUS$30020%
Cafe lunches, macarons and a Champagne break
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the French Soldes sales in Paris?+
France runs two state-regulated sale periods a year, usually in January and again from late June into July, each lasting several weeks. Exact dates are set annually, so check the official French government or Paris tourism site. Outside these windows, shops rarely discount city-wide.
How does the VAT refund work for shoppers visiting Paris from outside the EU?+
Non-EU residents can reclaim VAT on goods bought in one store above a minimum threshold, roughly 12 percent back. Carry your passport at checkout and ask for the refund form. Keep purchases unworn and claim at the airport refund desk before departure.
Is La Vallee Village outlet worth a day of a five-day Paris trip?+
It has more than 110 outlet brands and is about 40 minutes from central Paris by RER A. Whether it is worth a day depends on whether your preferred brands are stocked. Check the brand list and current promotions first, and go on a weekday for quieter changing rooms.
How much should I budget for five days of shopping in Paris?+
The itinerary costs about $1,200-1,790 (roughly EUR 1,040-1,560) per person excluding flights and purchases. That covers a central hotel, metro and RER fares, and meals. Set a separate shopping budget, since Galeries Lafayette and Faubourg Saint-Honore prices vary widely.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days
- Budget: Shopping · approx. $1,200–1,790 (≈ €1,040–1,560), excl. int'l flights & shopping
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Shopping
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