PARIS TRAVEL
Exploring the Paris boutiques of the iconic French brand
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A visit to a Paris Sézane store gives you the feeling you have stepped inside a charming Parisian apartment — bright, airy spaces, French herringbone floors, tile mosaics, windows peeking out to cobblestone streets. You might have come to catch up with your French friend over a glass of Sancerre. Mais non, these pretty spaces are home to a rainbow of colorful clothing—knitwear, dresses, jackets, shoes, handbags, and more. This Parisian apartment has a lot of closet space.
The spaces are meant to feel intimate and welcoming — it’s why the iconic French brand refers to its stores as “appartements”.
When I visited the original Sézane store, on rue de Fiacre in the 2nd arrondissement, I noticed a couple of things. First, in a city that favors neutrals, the amount of color in a Sézane store is a delightful surprise. Second, it smelled amazing; the temptation to bury my nose in their silky-soft knitwear is as hard to resist as a warm croissant.
If you’ve spent time in Paris and admired how French women dress, you’ll find that sensibility reflected at Sézane. Clothes feel classic yet current, like French women. Pieces are feminine but with an unexpected edge. And the drape and feel of the fabrics suggest they are made to last. Sézane has mastered the intersection of Parisian chic, quality, and accessible prices.
Sézane has had a meteoric rise from a small online retailer founded in 2013 by Morgane Sézalory, a Parisian who excelled in her upstart buying and selling vintage clothes, to an international cult favorite just ten years later. In a recent Forbes article, Ms. Sézalory credited her success with the ability to infuse beauty and art in the everyday. “What I love about life is to put a little bit of magic in everything,” she said. “Because I can see it in everything. I think that’s my gift.”
If that weren’t all impressive enough, Ms. Sézalory has prioritized being an eco-friendly brand. Sézane manufactures just enough to avoid wasteful excess and is now a Certified B. Corp. Learn more about Sézane’s sustainability practices.
If you’ve found your way to this story you are likely a Sézane admirer as well. This guide is meant to be an overview of the current Sezane stores in Paris, shown on the map above and described below, so you can plan where and when you’ll shop on your trip to Paris.
Sézane also has a menswear brand, Octobre Studio, found at several boutiques in Paris—details on those locations are in the Octobre section below.
I’ve visited several Sezane stores on Paris trips over the last few years and utilized their exceptional online shopping experience from my home in the U.S. I am happy to say I’ve been happy with everything I purchased from them including several sweaters, a dress, a blazer and t-shirts.
Note: I am returning to Paris in October 2023 and will add further updates to this story after I visit the boutiques I haven’t yet seen, including the latest Sézane store to open, in Le Marais.
Sézane Store Hours
Generally, Sézane Paris stores are open from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday. Most are closed on Sunday, and all are closed on Monday (it’s a French thing) except for the Sézane boutique located in the Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche department store.
On Sunday, your options are Le Bon Marché or the newest Sézane store in Le Marais, open 11 am to 8 pm.
In summer, some Sézane stores close for August (it’s a French thing) or have reduced hours. Check the Sézane website for up-to-date information about summer hours. In summer 2023, Le Marais remained open
L' Appartement Sézane (2)
Address: 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre. Closed Sunday & Monday.
This is the original Sézane store in Paris so I am listing it first. I shopped here on my last visit to Paris, it’s a bright, airy space with much of Sezane’s offering including a rainbow of their best-selling Gilet cardigan sweaters merchandised in neat color-filled shelves.
This Sézane store is conveniently located in the 2eme. If you are visiting the Palais Garnier opera house, which I recommend you do — it’s a Paris gem — this Sézane will be within a walk from there (about 15 minutes). This is a popular location, so may be a little busier than Le Grand Appartement, listed next.
In addition to gorgeous knitwear you’ll find shoes, belts, bags scarves and jewellery.
And right next store is Sezane’s Conciergerie Service, where shoppers can pick up, and return orders. They also offer a repair service and complimentary monogramming and engraving. I’ll be visiting it on my next trip in October 2023, as I have a belt that needs repair. I’ll share more about my experience, after my visit.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Closed Sunday.
Le Grand Appartement Sézane (17)
Address: 63 Bd des Batignolles. Closed Sunday & Monday.
Sézane opened its second and largest store in late 2019 in the 17th arrondissement. It’s a little more out of the way which can mean smaller hordes of shoppers.
This is the largest store, hence the “Grand” and worth a visit if you can. It stocks a large selection of its popular knitwear, many styles and colors, and their most iconic pieces: coats & blazers, denim and trousers. You’ll also find accessories that aren’t in its smaller stores.
There is also a large selection of well-priced shoes, handbags and a large space with fitting rooms.
If you can only visit one Sézane store, I would choose either Le Grand Appartement or the original location at 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre in the 2nd.
Sézane's Complimentary Personal Shopping
Also found at Le Grand Appartment Sézane is a personal shopping experience known as a rendez-vous. This is the only Sézane Paris store that offers this service. It’s a complimentary hour of style advice and assistance. This must be booked ahead: Sézane Complimentary Style Session, and as of the summer of 2023 it appears to be booked out months in advance, in Paris. (Also available in Sézane Bordeaux, Brussels, and New York.)
Sézane Paris Petit Appartement (16)
Address: 25 Rue de l’Annonciation. Closed Sunday & Monday.
I haven’t visited the smallest Sézane store although I do love the 16th arrondissement, a charming residential neighborhood on the right bank, across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower, so I plan to pop in on a future visit. I understand they have a little of everything, including handbags, so if you find yourself nearby, pop in to shop this more curated Sézane experience. Look for the brands classic striped mariniere shirts — the perfect souvenir of a trip to Paris.
Sézane’s conciergerie service is also offered at this location. It allows pickups and returns as well as repairs and engraving.
Sézane Appartement Le Marais (4)
Address: 33 rue des Blancs Manteaux. Open Sunday, 11 am to 8 pm. Closed Monday
This is the newest Paris Sézane store; it recently opened in Le Marais. I always visit this charming area while in Paris, so I have it on my list to stop by this appartement on my Paris trip this fall. And hooray, it’s open on Sunday!
Here you’ll find the iconic Sézane pieces, a variety of knitwear, shoes, handbags and jewellery. And Sézane’s “conciergerie service” is also offered here.
Le Marais is filled with wonderful shopping, dining and museums including the free museum of Paris history, La Carnavalet, as well as the Rodin Museum.
Sézane at Le Bon Marché in Paris (6)
Address: 24 rue de Sèvres. Open Sunday, 11 am to 7:45 pm, and Monday, 10 am to 7:45 pm.
Le Bon Marché is the oldest department store in Paris, dating to the 1850’s. This 19th century beauty is worth a visit regardless of whether you’ll stop by the adorable Sézane boutique on the 2nd floor. A smallish capsule of Sézane is found here, but Le Bon Marché is such fun it hardly matters. Plus, it’s open on Sunday when most Sézane stores are closed.
Some of my other favorite affordable French clothing brands are also found at Le Bon Marché, so I suggest allowing extra time to explore. I particularly love: Soeur, Claudie Pierlot, Vaness Bruno (a little pricier) and A.P.C.
Sézane Paris for Men, "Octobre"
Sézane’s menswear line is called Octobre and found at several of the Paris boutiques. It can also be ordered online: Octobre Editions.
Like Sézane for women, the menswear offers elevated essentials that feel classic and current: trousers and denim, blazers and coats, knitwear, shirts and shoes. There are also tees, polo shirts, and sweatshirts but no “athletic wear” beyond that. You can explore the latest styles at Octobre New Arrivals.
If you are shopping in Paris, the full collection can be found at the Octobre Atelier in the 2nd arrondissement, at 12 Rue Saint Fiacre — on the same street as the women’s boutique.
A limited selection of the Octobre menswear is available at three Sézane Paris stores: the boutiques in the 4th and 7th, Le Grand Appartment in the 17th and Le Bon Marché department store in the 6th.
Tips for shopping at Sézane in Paris
• Try it on before you buy. French sizes can run a little smaller than clothing in the U.S.; additionally, I find Sézane sizing varies. Some items are true to size, and others I have had to size up or down. And Sézane uses European sizing for some items, including shoes.
•Bring your passport to the store. If you find a Sézane item you love, and your total purchase is more than 100 euros, you should qualify for a refund of the VAT (value added tax) which is included in the price. You must show your passport to receive the refund paperwork from the store.
VAT refunds seem to range between 10% and 12%. You will need to submit the refund paperwork at the airport before you leave France; leave extra time for this.
• If you are unsure about a purchase, and visiting from overseas, check if the item is available online (most are). Although it will typically cost more if you order online in your home currency rather than the euro, Sézane offers free delivery on orders over $200 and free returns on all online orders. Shop online from the U.S. here: Sézane.
If you buy an item in Paris and change your mind once home, you are out of luck. Items purchased in Sézane stores in Paris can’t be shipped back from the U.S. or returned at U.S. stores.
Sézane Stores in the U.S.
Sézane has U.S. stores in the following cities: New York, L.A., San Francisco, and most recently, Boston.
I visited the New York store on a recent trip; it’s on Elizabeth Street in the charming Nolita neighborhood, a favorite area of mine to wander in when in New York. I tried on several pieces at Sézane New York; the service was friendly and helpful, but the selection was much smaller than in the large Paris stores.
New York also has a small collection of its menswear line, Octobre.
Note that Sézane New York, Boston, and San Francisco are all closed on Mondays. L.A. is open daily.
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SubscribeI hope this overview of Sézane’s Paris stores makes your Paris shopping experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Shopping at Sézane “appartements” in Paris is great fun; all that’s missing is a glass of Sancerre.
If you’ve purchased something from Sézane, I’d love to hear about your experience and favorite pieces. Which store did you visit? Please share in the comments below.
A bientôt!
More Paris!
