Shopping Tourism: Retail Therapy

Luxury Shopping Experiences

Paris generates €1.7 billion from tax-free shopping:

Beyond Transaction

• Personal shoppers for tourists
• After-hours private shopping
• Atelier visits at fashion houses
• Trunk shows for tour groups

Regional Luxury

• Grasse: Perfume creation workshops
• Limoges: Porcelain painting experiences
• Baccarat: Crystal factory tours
• Hermès: Leather workshops

Market Experiences: Authentic Encounters

France's 10,000+ markets offer cultural immersion:

Structured Experiences

• Chef-guided market tours
• Truffle hunting + market visit
• Antique expertise at flea markets
• Christmas market packages

A market vendor in Aix observes: "Tourists don't just buy produce anymore. They want stories—where these olives grow, how we make tapenade, why Cavaillon melons are special. We've become performers, not just sellers."