Shopping in France

Most shops are open from 9am to anywhere from 6pm to 8pm depending on the type of store. Supermarkets, especially in urban areas, often open earlier and stay open later. Some smaller shops may close from noon to 2pm for a lunch break.

Traditionally, Sunday is reserved as a rest day, so many shops are closed. For example, supermarkets are open until 1pm on Sundays. Shops that are in touristy areas are allowed to stay open longer. Shop hours can vary between cities.

Find more information on which shops are open on Sundays here:  Opening a business on Sunday: what regulations?

Price transparency in French shops

The current French regulations stipulate that:

• Information on prices is compulsory, whatever the sales method: in a shop, on the internet, at home, etc.
• The trader must indicate prices in euros and include all taxes in a visible and comprehensible manner.
• The trader is obliged to inform you of the price of a good or service prior to the sale, even without an explicit request from you.
• tThe trader must indicate any additional charges.

In a shop the retailer must:

• Inform you of the price of the product by displaying it directly on the product for sale or by means of a sign or notice placed close to it.
• Indicate the total price and also the price per litre or per kilo for pre-packaged food, hygiene or cleaning products.
• Display the total price and the unit price when selling a batch of products.
• If the quantity of items is such that it is impossible to display the price of each product, the retailer must make a catalogue available to give you information on the price of each unlabelled item.
• If the trader charges for a quotation or delivery service, they must inform you in advance.

Request a receipt and/or invoice

The retailer is obliged to provide you with a receipt if you explicitly ask them to.

The retailer will not automatically give you a receipt after you pay.

3 options are possible when you check out in a French store:

• No receipt given, if you don't request it;
• A printed receipt, if you specifically request it;
• A digital receipt, if the seller provides this service and you request it: you can receive it by text message, e-mail, QR code, your banking app or your loyalty account accessible by the internet.

If you ask for the receipt and you paid with a bankcard you will receive two different receipts. One receipt must include the seller’s contact details, description of the product purchased, quantity, price and the date of time of purchase. The other will provide the details of the bank transaction.

Regarding the invoice, it is obligatory only for the provision of services of more than 25€ including VAT.

More information on trader’s obligations: All about billing

We recommend you request a receipt/invoice for all items subject to the legal guarantee of conformity. This will facilitate the handling of possible complaints at a later stage.

The provision of single-use plastic carrier bags for packaging goods at the point of sale, free of charge, is forbidden in all shops.

At check-out, cashiers may only provide customers reusable plastic bags (i.e. thicker than 50 microns), or alternatively, bags made of materials other than plastic (fabric, paper, etc.), either free of charge or for a fee.

There are two official sales periods in France, one in summer and one in winter. Both have a maximum duration of 4 weeks. Each French county sets beginning and ending dates by order of the Prefect which are compulsory for all sellers.

Apart from these two sales periods, you will also encounter discounts in France during other times of year. For example: Black Friday, French Days (in spring and autumn), beginning of September for the back-to-school period…

Deducting tax (VAT) from your purchases

If you are over 16 and live outside the European Union, you can benefit from a VAT (value added tax) deduction, whatever your nationality. To benefit from this deduction, you will need to provide proof of identity when you make your purchases.

This deduction applies to tourist and non-commercial purchases of more than 100 euros including VAT over a period of 3 days maximum from the same retailer. This tax relief excludes certain items (services, cultural goods, weapons, etc.).

In practice :

• either the item is zero-rated directly at the time of purchase,
• or it is reimbursed at a later date. In the latter case, the retailer issues a tax-free slip, which must be presented to customs on departure.

If you use mobile applications for your tax refund or you wish to shop online, check the terms and conditions and the required documents (e.g. invoice with name).  Be aware that you will never get a 100% refund of the VAT because a commission will apply.

Changing your mind after purchase

If you purchase in a shop, in principle there is no right of withdrawal, meaning that all sales are final. You cannot cancel your purchase unless you pay a cancellation fee. However, many retailers offer the possibility of exchanging and/or refunding the item within a certain period of time. Before buying, check with the shop owner.

If you are buying online, you might benefit from a “cooling off” right. Check our article ‘14 days to withdraw’.

Guarantee and warranty in France

When purchasing from a seller in France, you automatically benefit from the French rules regarding the legal guarantee of conformity. 

However, taking advantage of this guarantee may be tricky once you return home. For products purchased in-store, the French retailer is not required to organise or pay for the return of the product. It is up to you to travel back to France or send the item at your own expense if you want to benefit from the legal guarantee. The product must be returned to the store where you bought it.

If the seller informs you about the possibility of an additional commercial warranty or a “service après vente”, inquire about the conditions and in particular the geographical scope. Will it apply when you take the item home?

Make sure to be cautious of purchasing counterfeit products. In large cities in France, especially Paris, there are often sellers who advertise an ‘authentic Eiffel tower statue’ or an authentic sports product. Always be sceptical if the price is much lower than other businesses who advertise the same product.

The goods most affected by counterfeiting are games, toys and sports equipment, food and drink, personal care products, clothing and accessories.

Possession of counterfeit products is strictly illegal in France. Follow our advice before buying:

• Check with the brand whether the seller is one of its authorised resellers and report any unofficial seller.
• Compare the prices applied with those of the brand’s official store. Be wary of prices that are too good to be true or offers of substantial reductions.