A Complete Guide to Clothes Shopping in France

A cultural and linguistic guide for learners and travellers

Clothes shopping in France is both a practical necessity and a cultural experience. From elegant boutiques to large grands magasins, French stores offer a wide range of styles, knowledgeable assistants, and well-organised displays. For learners of French, shopping for clothes is also an excellent opportunity to practise everyday vocabulary, useful shopping phrases, and the very common grammar structure used to say “this one,” “that one,” “these ones,” and “those ones.” This guide brings together everything a visitor needs to know — culturally and linguistically — to shop confidently in France.

Where to Shop for Clothes in France

France has several types of clothing stores, each offering a different experience.

1. Les magasins de vêtements — clothes shops

These range from small independent boutiques to mid-range chains such as Zara, Promod, Mango, Celio, and Bershka. These shops usually have clearly marked sections for femmes (women), hommes (men), and sometimes ados (teens).

2. Les grands magasins — department stores

Large, multi-floor stores offering a wide variety of brands, often with shoe departments (le rayon chaussures) and accessories sections. Famous examples include Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le BHV Marais.

3. Les boutiques — independent stores

Smaller shops offering curated selections, often higher-end or trend-focused. Staff tend to be knowledgeable and ready to help.

4. Les magasins d’usine — outlet stores

Found in outlet villages (les villages des marques) offering discounts on well-known brands.

Useful Phrases for Clothes Shopping in France

You will frequently hear or use phrases such as:
Quel est le prix de ce manteau ? — What is the price of this coat?
Je peux essayer ? — Can I try it on?
Où sont les cabines d’essayage ? — Where are the fitting rooms?
C’est ma taille ? — Is this my size?
Vous l’avez dans une autre taille ? — Do you have it in another size?
Vous l’avez dans une autre couleur ? — Do you have it in another colour?
C’est trop grand / trop petit. — It’s too big / too small.
Je le prends. — I’ll take it.

These expressions pair perfectly with the grammar of this one / that one — one of the most useful topics for clothes shopping.

Grammar Spotlight: Saying “This One”, “That One”, “These Ones”, “Those Ones” in French

To point at items in French, you use demonstrative pronouns:

  • celui — this one / that one (masculine singular)
  • celle — this one / that one (feminine singular)
  • ceux — these ones / those ones (masculine plural)
  • celles — these ones / those ones (feminine plural)

To show “here” or “there,” you add:

  • -ci → here
  • -là → there

Masculine singular

  • celui-ci — this one here
  • celui-là — that one there

Feminine singular

  • celle-ci — this one here
  • celle-là — that one there

Masculine plural

  • ceux-ci — these ones here
  • ceux-là — those ones there

Feminine plural

  • celles-ci — these ones here
  • celles-là — those ones there

Examples in Clothing Context

Picking between two items

Je préfère celui-ci. — I prefer this one (masculine, e.g., le pull).
Je n’aime pas celle-là. — I don’t like that one (feminine, e.g., la robe).

Asking an assistant

Quelle est la différence entre ceux-ci et ceux-là ? — What is the difference between these and those?
Vous avez celles-ci en taille M ? — Do you have these ones in size M?

Comparing colours

Je trouve celle-ci plus jolie que celle-là. — I find this one prettier than that one.

Talking about shoes

Shoes (les chaussures) are feminine plural:
Je vais prendre celles-ci. — I’ll take these ones.

Important: “Celui / Celle / Ceux / Celles” vs. “Ce / Cet / Cette / Ces”

Learners often confuse demonstrative adjectives (that come before a noun) with demonstrative pronouns (where you replace the noun). Let’s take a look at this in more detail:

Demonstrative adjectives

ce manteau — this/that coat
cet anorak — this/that anorak
cette robe — this/that dress
ces chaussures — these/those shoes

Demonstrative pronouns

celui-ci — this one
celle-là — that one
ceux-ci — these ones
celles-là — those ones

A good rule:
👉 Adjectives point at things you name; pronouns point at things you’ve already named.

Cultural Tips for Clothes Shopping in France

Fitting rooms (les cabines d’essayage)

Shops often have a queue system. An assistant may check the number of items.

Sales seasons (les soldes)

France has two national sales periods (winter and summer), regulated by law. Discounts can be significant.

Sizing

French clothing sizes differ from UK and US sizes.
Ask:
Quelle est ma taille ici ? — What is my size here?
Je fais une taille moyenne. — I take a medium.

Customer service

Staff may offer help, especially in boutiques:
Je peux vous aider ? — Can I help you?
If you prefer to browse:
Je ne fais que regarder. — I’m just looking.

Returns and exchanges

Policies vary. Look for:
échanges (exchanges), remboursements (refunds), bon d’achat (store credit).

Practice Activity

Translate into French:

  1. I prefer this one (dress).
  2. Do you have those ones there in size L?
  3. I like these ones (shoes).
  4. This one is too small.
  5. Where are the fitting rooms?

Answers:

  1. Je préfère celle-ci.
  2. Vous avez ceux-là en taille L ?
  3. J’aime bien celles-ci.
  4. Celui-ci est trop petit.
  5. Où sont les cabines d’essayage ?