Le Bon Marché, established in 1852 at 24 Rue de Sèvres in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, holds the distinction of being the world's first modern department store. Owned by LVMH, the store operates in a quieter Left Bank quartier away from the busier boulevards of the Right Bank in Île-de-France, drawing a clientele that is predominantly Parisian and fashion-literate. The retail experience is deliberately less frenetic than Right Bank counterparts, with an emphasis on curation and depth of selection rather than volume of brand names.
The main building covers womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, and lifestyle across four floors. The brand selection sits firmly in the upper-luxury and niche-luxury tiers: labels such as Alaïa, Jacquemus, The Row, Celine, Rick Owens, and Maison Margiela appear alongside the core LVMH portfolio of Dior, Givenchy, and Loewe. The lingerie department, occupying its own dedicated floor on the ground level, is considered one of the finest curated selections in Paris. A home and design floor presents international contemporary designers alongside French craft ceramics and tableware brands, making it a credible destination for high-quality homeware that resists mass-market design.
The adjacent Grande Épicerie de Paris, housed in a separate building at 38 Rue de Sèvres, is widely regarded as one of the finest gourmet food halls in the capital. Across two floors it stocks artisan-produced French cheeses, raw-milk butters, regional charcuteries, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fine wines and spirits, and patisserie, all curated for quality and provenance rather than volume. A second dedicated building added in 2017 focuses on wine, spirits, and organic produce. A restaurant and café within the food hall serve seasonal menus drawing on the hall's produce. Non-EU visitors spending €100.01 or more in a single transaction at any register are eligible for a VAT refund; a dedicated détaxe desk processes forms near the main entrance. Extended Thursday hours until 21:00 make evening visits possible for visitors with daytime commitments elsewhere.
Location
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
48.8494, 2.3225 View on map
Highlights
- World's first modern department store (est. 1852); Left Bank location in the 7th arrondissement gives it a calmer, more Parisian atmosphere than Right Bank rivals
- Upper-luxury and niche-luxury brand selection including Alaïa, Jacquemus, The Row, Celine, and the LVMH portfolio of Dior, Givenchy, and Loewe across four floors
- La Grande Épicerie de Paris at 38 Rue de Sèvres: a two-building gourmet food hall with artisan cheeses, regional charcuteries, fine wines, patisserie, and curated grocery produce
- Renowned lingerie department occupying a dedicated ground-floor space, considered one of the finest curated selections in Paris
- Dedicated VAT-refund (détaxe) desk for non-EU visitors on eligible single-transaction purchases of €100.01 or more
Tips for visiting
- Visit on weekday afternoons when crowds are lightest and floor staff are most available across all departments
- La Grande Épicerie at 38 Rue de Sèvres can be entered directly from the street without going through the main fashion building
- Thursday hours extend until 21:00—the only weeknight with late opening, useful for visitors with full daytime schedules
- Request a détaxe form at every point of sale for non-EU VAT refund eligibility; forms are processed at the dedicated ground-floor desk before leaving the store
- The home and design floor is a strong option for high-quality French craft objects and ceramics seldom found in mainstream Paris retail
Frequently asked questions
How does Le Bon Marché differ from Galeries Lafayette Haussmann?
Le Bon Marché is smaller, quieter, and positioned in the upper-luxury tier with a more tightly curated brand selection. Its Left Bank location in the 7th arrondissement attracts a predominantly Parisian clientele rather than the high tourist volume at Galeries Lafayette. It is generally considered the more sophisticated and less crowded of the two stores.
What is La Grande Épicerie de Paris?
La Grande Épicerie is Le Bon Marché's landmark gourmet food hall, operating from a separate building at 38 Rue de Sèvres. It is widely regarded as one of the finest food halls in Paris, stocking artisan French cheeses, regional charcuteries, fine wines, patisserie, and curated international grocery produce from quality-focused producers.
Can non-EU visitors claim a VAT refund at Le Bon Marché?
Yes. Non-EU residents are eligible for a VAT refund on single-transaction purchases of €100.01 or more per cashier. Détaxe forms are issued at the point of sale and processed at the store's dedicated refund desk; customs validation is required at the airport on departure from France.
Is there a restaurant or café on site?
The Grande Épicerie building at 38 Rue de Sèvres includes a café and a restaurant with a seasonal menu centred on produce sourced through the food hall. A light lunch counter is also available in the main store building. Reservations for the restaurant are advisable, particularly at weekends.
What are the opening hours for Le Bon Marché?
The main store opens Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 to 20:00; Thursday from 10:00 to 21:00; Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00; Sunday from 11:00 to 20:00. The Grande Épicerie follows broadly similar hours with minor variations; checking the store's official website before visiting is recommended.