Shopping in Paris rewards preparation and punishes improvisation. The queue outside the flagship on a Saturday afternoon is not where anything good happens. The private salon upstairs, on a Tuesday morning, by appointment, is.

We arrange the appointment, the shopper, the car between stops, and the logistics of getting everything home.

What we arrange

• Private appointments — salon appointments at the major maisons, away from the shop floor.
• Personal shoppers — a shopper who knows the houses, your sizing and what you actually wear, rather than what is being pushed this season.
• Made-to-measure — tailoring, shoes and fittings, with the timing worked backwards from your departure date.
• Vintage and antiques — dealers, markets and specialists for jewellery, watches and furniture.
• Logistics — a car and driver holding purchases between stops, tax refund paperwork completed correctly, and shipping to the US arranged.

The practical things Americans ask about

The VAT refund is worth roughly 12% and is routinely lost through paperwork completed wrongly or too late — we handle it. Sizing between US and French labels is not a simple conversion, which is why a shopper who knows both is worth having. And large or fragile purchases are usually better shipped than flown home, which we arrange.

A note on waiting lists

Certain pieces at certain houses are allocated, not sold, and no concierge can promise them. We will tell you plainly what is realistic before you build a trip around it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you guarantee a specific handbag?

No, and anyone who says otherwise is not being straight with you. Allocation is controlled by the house. We can secure the appointment and improve your chances; we cannot promise the piece.

How does the VAT refund work?

Non-EU visitors can reclaim a portion of the tax on qualifying purchases, but the forms must be completed at the point of sale and validated before you leave the EU. We make sure both happen.

Can you ship purchases to the United States?

Yes, including insured shipping for high-value items. It is often simpler than carrying them, and avoids questions at the airport.

To arrange private shopping in Paris, contact Elite France Journeys at [email protected] or +33 2 57 58 80 29.