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26 of the Best French Shops In NYC, In Honor of Bastille Day

By Racked Staff
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By Racked Staff
4 comments / new

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

We've been taking note of the rapid growth of French brands popping up on our streets for a while now, and in honor of Bastille Day on Sunday, we've rounded up 24 French shopping destinations right here on our own little island. The list includes established flagships (Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior) and recent newcomers (Equipment, Iro, and the Maje-Sandro family), spanning various neighborhoods and price points.

Though many of these brands have more than one store in Manhattan, we decided to target the newest or coolest locations. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments section and we may add 'em in.—Laura Gurfein


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Maje

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This sister brand to Sandro opened this location at the end of April, in addition to its downtown locations on Spring, Prince, and Bleecker streets. The endlessly cool Alexa Chung is currently the face of their ad campaigns.
1070 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10028
(212) 288-2550
(212) 288-2550

Zadig & Voltaire

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This is the fourth and most recent store for Zadig & Voltaire, which previously only had downtown locations. They're also opening another store on Broome Street later this year, so stay tuned for that.
992 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10075
(212) 396-3800
(212) 396-3800

Diptyque

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Diptyque is the closest you'll get to fitting Paris in a bottle. The store that offers perfumes, colognes, and candles even has a collection named after their first location, 34 Boulevard St. Germain. [Photo]
971 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 879-3330
(212) 879-3330

Christian Louboutin

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Of course, the iconic red sole would originate in the iconic City of Lights. The famous designer of the celeb-favored heels also has a men's-only store in the Meatpacking District—because "les hommes" appreciate good shoes too. [Photo]
965 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 396-1884
(212) 396-1884

Céline

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Though the label is currently at the helm of Brit Phoebe Philo, Céline hasn't lost any of its French flair. This multi-level flagship location just opened last year.
870 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 535-3703
(212) 535-3703

LANVIN

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Brand founder Jeanne Lanvin started with a modest boutique des chapeaus (that's hats for you non-French speakers) in Paris way back in 1889. Fast forward to today, and you've got NY Giants football star Victor Cruz in a turquoise Lanvin tux at the Met Ball. [Photo]
815 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(646) 439-0381
(646) 439-0381

Roger Vivier

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Roger Vivier is a blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it—he's the inventor of the sexy, often painful stiletto heel. At least the boutique on Madison Avenue has comfy seats for trying them on. [Photo: Driely S]
750 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
(212) 861-5371
(212) 861-5371

Longchamp

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We know that every girl has the same Longchamp tote, but you can't deny their functionality—plus, they look cute in every color. Check out the rainbow-hued wall of totes in the flagship location. [Photo]
713 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
(212) 223-1500
(212) 223-1500

Hermès

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The unmistakable icon of a horse-drawn carriage against an orange background just screams French luxury. For the gentlemen, there's the men's store across the street.
691 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(212) 751-3181
(212) 751-3181

Louis Vuitton

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You can always count on Louis Vuitton for elaborate window displays, and sometimes works of art that cover the building. Case in point: the brand's collaboration with polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama. [Photo]
1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-8877
(212) 758-8877

Christian Dior

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This Dior flagship underwent a major renovation back in 2010, and covered its facade with a giant purse to hide the construction mess. If that's not the epitome of French luxury, we don't know what is. [Photo]
21 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
(212) 931-2950
(212) 931-2950

Maison Kitsuné

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This boutique inside the NoMad hotel, which offers an excellent selection of music from the Kitsuné record label in addition to classic pieces for both men and women, recently feted its one-year anniversary. Its not-so-French neighbor? Opening Ceremony. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
1170 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
(212) 481-6010
(212) 481-6010

Pierre Hardy

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The Jane Street shop was the designer's first standalone store in the USA. Open since 2010, we'd say its dramatic stilettos, wedges, and sandals are the height of Parisian chic—literally. [Photo by Brian Harkin]
30 Jane St, New York, NY 10014
(646) 449-0070
(646) 449-0070

Balenciaga

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While we eagerly await the two new stores on Mercer Street (men's and women's stores across from each other are slated for a November opening), we'll have to make do with this location. Though it was originally set up as a seasonal store last year, it's still going strong. [Photo]
138 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 206-0872
(212) 206-0872

Equipment

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Though the brand was originally founded in 1976, Equipment experienced a revival in 2010 under the leadership of Serge Azria (of Joie and Current/Elliot) and opened this location last year. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
110 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 277-6496
(646) 277-6496

Chloé

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Chloés's new Greene Street boutique opened in February, and if you can believe it, we think it's even more luxurious than the Madison Avenue outpost. The cream walls and gilded shelving are modeled after the Paris shop—trés jolie, non?
93 Greene St, New York, NY

A.P.C.

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Nothing says laid-back French cool quite like A.P.C., who's signature denim and collaborations with designers like Vanessa Seward are staples in hip closets here and abroad. [Photo]
131 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-9685
(212) 966-9685

Comptoir Des Cotonniers

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The Soho spot was Comptoir Des Cotonniers' first in the country and it's still a Spring Street staple. Fun fact: Their name translates to "counters of the cotton plants."
155 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-0830
(212) 274-0830

Sandro

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This location, the fourth for the brand in the city, opened earlier this year down the street from sister line Maje. Painted-brick walls and blond wood flooring bring Soho loft style to the contemporary Parisian brand.
150 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

CHANEL

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The pearls, the tweed, the suits—Chanel might just be the most iconic French brand there is. This Soho store, with its industrial-like columns, marries classic Parisian chic with New York downtown cool. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
139 Spring St, New York City, NY 10012
(212) 334-0055
(212) 334-0055

Saint Laurent

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It may have taken forever, but the Saint Laurent store on Greene Street (designed by Hedi Slimane himself) finally opened last month, joining the East 57th Street flagship. The sleek shop displays bags and shoes along the walls like the works of art they are.
80 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012
(212) 431-3240
(212) 431-3240

Jerome Dreyfuss

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This bag designer (and husband of Isabel Marant) kicked off the French invasion in Soho when this store opened in 2010. Aside from finding great leather carryalls and cross-body bags here, you can also count on finding great displays.
475 Broome Street New York, NY 10013
(212) 334-6920
(212) 334-6920

Isabel Marant

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The woman basically responsible for the wedged sneaker phenomenon opened her first US store in Soho just a couple months after husband Jerome Dreyfuss opened his own shop next door. (We'd bet that makes for really cute after-work dates in the neighborhood.) Note that the store was designed by the same architect who created Marant's Paris shops. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
469 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-2284
(212) 219-2284

Iro

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This is the first US store for the label, which has been experiencing rapid growth in Europe over the past few years. Their pre-fall collection is filled with cozy sweaters, sleek leather jackets, and skinny jeans—perfect for a stroll down the Champs Elysees or 5th Avenue. [Photo]
450 Broome St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-2290
(212) 925-2290

Surface To Air

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Surface to Air's American flagship was going for dramatic French flair when it opened in the fall of 2011. The space is cloaked in soft lighting that's meant to complement the collections on the floor. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
27 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10013
(212) 256-0340
(212) 256-0340

agnès b.

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The original Soho outpost of agnès b. on Greene Street was open for over two decades on before taking a brief hiatus in 2009. Now, it's back on Howard Street, much to the delight of Francophile everywhere. [Photo]
50 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-1335
(212) 431-1335

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Maje

1070 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10028
This sister brand to Sandro opened this location at the end of April, in addition to its downtown locations on Spring, Prince, and Bleecker streets. The endlessly cool Alexa Chung is currently the face of their ad campaigns.
1070 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10028
(212) 288-2550
(212) 288-2550

Zadig & Voltaire

992 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10075
This is the fourth and most recent store for Zadig & Voltaire, which previously only had downtown locations. They're also opening another store on Broome Street later this year, so stay tuned for that.
992 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10075
(212) 396-3800
(212) 396-3800

Diptyque

971 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Diptyque is the closest you'll get to fitting Paris in a bottle. The store that offers perfumes, colognes, and candles even has a collection named after their first location, 34 Boulevard St. Germain. [Photo]
971 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 879-3330
(212) 879-3330

Christian Louboutin

965 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Of course, the iconic red sole would originate in the iconic City of Lights. The famous designer of the celeb-favored heels also has a men's-only store in the Meatpacking District—because "les hommes" appreciate good shoes too. [Photo]
965 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 396-1884
(212) 396-1884

Céline

870 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Though the label is currently at the helm of Brit Phoebe Philo, Céline hasn't lost any of its French flair. This multi-level flagship location just opened last year.
870 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
(212) 535-3703
(212) 535-3703

LANVIN

815 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
Brand founder Jeanne Lanvin started with a modest boutique des chapeaus (that's hats for you non-French speakers) in Paris way back in 1889. Fast forward to today, and you've got NY Giants football star Victor Cruz in a turquoise Lanvin tux at the Met Ball. [Photo]
815 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(646) 439-0381
(646) 439-0381

Roger Vivier

750 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Roger Vivier is a blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it—he's the inventor of the sexy, often painful stiletto heel. At least the boutique on Madison Avenue has comfy seats for trying them on. [Photo: Driely S]
750 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
(212) 861-5371
(212) 861-5371

Longchamp

713 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
We know that every girl has the same Longchamp tote, but you can't deny their functionality—plus, they look cute in every color. Check out the rainbow-hued wall of totes in the flagship location. [Photo]
713 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
(212) 223-1500
(212) 223-1500

Hermès

691 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
The unmistakable icon of a horse-drawn carriage against an orange background just screams French luxury. For the gentlemen, there's the men's store across the street.
691 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(212) 751-3181
(212) 751-3181

Louis Vuitton

1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
You can always count on Louis Vuitton for elaborate window displays, and sometimes works of art that cover the building. Case in point: the brand's collaboration with polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama. [Photo]
1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-8877
(212) 758-8877