Winter Sale Season in France: Les Soldes
70% off a Chanel dress. Wouldn’t that be nice! Who doesn’t like a sale, particularly when it’s Les Soldes, a promotional period in France where shoppers go crazy over big discounts? Next month this craziness begins!
[Updated December 29, 2024]
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Timing Of Les Soldes
Sales are state-regulated and there are two periods that “Les Soldes” take place:
Dates depend on the region.
2025 Les Soldes Dates:
The winter dates are: January 8-February 4, 2025*
and the summer dates are June 25-July 22, 2025
*Note: these departments start January 2, 2025 (and end January 25, 2025): Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges
You’ll see “Promotion” or “Soldes” signs with prices slashed quite a bit not only in the small stores but also in the department stores such as Galeries Lafayette. Reductions can range from 30-50% and even as high as 70% and these discounts may increase as time goes on. Their goal is to get rid of old stock.
Your Strategy During Les Soldes
While it’s not like Boxing Day in Canada and the United Kingdom, or Black Friday in the United States where people line up the night before to get in first, it is important to get there early right when the store opens. Avoid the lunch-hour when many office workers zip out to find a deal. When I was there last January some stores got extremely crowded so it’s wise not to overdress. Also, be prepared to be assertive.
Items that have the highest markups tend to have the biggest discounts. Boutiques, supermarkets, specialty stores, and department stores all take part. Stores in tourist areas, particularly in Paris can be open on Sundays in Paris (ie. Rue de Rivoli), so you might have a chance on doing some shopping.
Two reminders:
- If you live outside the European Union, you qualify to get a tax rebate if you have spent 100 Euros in one store on the same day. Here is a post I did on how it works: How To Apply For The EU-VAT Refund On Purchases Made In France
- Notify your credit card company before you leave for France that you might be using your card. This will prevent holds or difficulties using your card when you are in France.
Not crazy about going to France in January? I’ve been to Paris twice in January and the weather was great. Not too cold. No snow. Sunshine! It’s worth trying it out.
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The sales in France sound like fun. I can’t believe they are state regulated, and I thought Australia was a nanny-state!
France is pretty regulated over all. Nice to see sales twice a year, though.
The French government regulates sales to protect small shop owners from the extraordinary power and money of retail chains and giants. They bankrupt small shops by undercutting their prices. The small stores make Paris a great place to shop, so as a diehard shopper I say “vive la France!”
What fun! We just got back from a trip to Seville and Cordoba, Spain and I was feeling seriously under-dressed in my American jeans and running shoes. Even when the Europeans wear sneakers their attire looks like a coordinated outfit! Sigh. I need a wardrobe specialist (and maybe a trip to Paris!) 🙂
Great excuse to go to Paris!
I would love to be in Paris during Les Soldes! Thanks for all the tips because I’m still hoping I’ll get there one day:-)
And I’d love to meet up with you there….or in NY!
I really enjoyed my visit to Galeries Lafayette when I was there but couldn’t get anything in the sales. It’s handy to know when the sales take place.
Yes, I think it’s really the smaller shops where you find the deals. Can’t remember when I last bought something at Galeries Lafayette!
Thanks for sharing the shopping tips Jan. We’re not huge fans of shopping but we do like saving money when we do.
I don’t do a lot of shopping, but when I do, I certainly would like to get a deal!
I’m not a shopper as such, but I do love a good sale. . .brings out the hunter in me, I guess! This is great information as would never have thought about specific times for great sales. . .and will keep this mind should we find ourselves planning any trips that might just coincide with the sales.
I don’t make a special trip to France for these sales, but if I happen to be in France during the two time periods I’ll certainly look for some deals.
Are there any deals in designer handbags i.e. LV, dior, prada during winter sale? I might be doing a short break in January and I am considering timing it with the winter sale.
Unfortunately most items that are part of the Winter sales in France do not include high end goods like the type you are looking for. These never go on sale. It’s more end of season items or simply items stores that have too much stock of particular items.
Enjoy your trip nonetheless!
Thanks for the shopping tips, Jan. I am not a big shopper and usually tend to avoid sales due to the crowd. But yes, I like saving money when I can 🙂
I’m with you on that!
I am leaving for Paris on the Feb. 18th and arriving on the 19th. I have one day to find some sales! Thanks for posting the info.
Renee
Do you know when the January 2021 sales are?
My understanding is that the dates for Les Soldes sales season in France for 2021 are as follows:
Winter: January 6-February 2 (Note: these departments start January 2: Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges)
Summer: June 23-July 20 (Note: these departments start July 7: Alpes-Maritimes, les Pyrénées-Orientales)
Obviously, the dates are subject to change like they were this year due to Coronavirus.
Hope this helps.