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Sales in France, Belgium and Luxembourg – when to go, what to expect, and where the best deals are. Tips and advice for day trippers and visitors to Calais, France – Day-tripper.net.

Sales in France – when to go and what to expect

All about Sales In France / Factory shopping centres in France – the places to go at sale time

Link to French Government website concerning sale dates. www.economie.gouv.fr

Another link to a French Government website concerning sale dates. www.service-public.fr

The Soldes are the only time of the year that shops are legally allowed to sell merchandise at a loss. Retailers can run promotions at other times of the year – but the primary aim of the sales is to get rid of old stock.

In 2009 the sale period was reduced from six to five weeks, and the opening and closing times were fixed nationwide (with one or two exceptions). It is illegal to discount goods in the period up to the start of the sales, so avoid shopping then. The sale periods are approved locally (hence the opt-out of south eastern departments). Outside of this period shops are allowed to choose two weeks (together or a one week sale twice) in which they can hold their own sales, following reforms introduced this year, but these may not be held in the 30 days leading up to the main sale periods (referred to as "Soldes flottant").

A web site highlighting when these flexible sale periods are is Soldes Libre Flottants. www.dates-soldes-libres.com

Those departments that sometimes choose to start their sales later than the date set Nationally are (in the South); Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (4) (Region Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Hautes-Alpes (5) (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Alpes-Maritimes (6) (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Bouches-du-Rhône (13) (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Var (83) (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Vaucluse (84) (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur), Corse-du-Sud (2A) (Corse), and Haute-Corse (2B) (Corse).

Departments bordering other countries that also choose other start dates are; Meurthe-et-Moselle (54) (Lorraine), Meuse (55) (Lorraine), Moselle (57) (Lorraine), Vosges (88) (Lorraine), Landes (40) (Aquitaine), Pyrenees-Atlantiques (64) (Aquitaine).

January is a good time to shop in France as fares and hotels are cheap at this time of the year.

Many centres are open on Sundays during the sales – check the company web sites for up to date information.

If you are shopping in Paris and need to know when the sales in Paris are, details will be listed here as and when available.

April 2012 – Special sale time at MacArthur Glen in Rouaix (near Lille). Discounts, Happy hours and more.

November 2012 – Paris is to start this winter's sales one month earlier than usual. The sales ("Shopping by Paris") will start on December 1st, and continue until the end of February.

July 2011 – Good news! Shops are complaining sales have been poor in this year's sales. The Federation Nationale de l'Habillement, which represents 37,000 independent clothes shops, said the first week had been "largely negative". This means bigger discounts before the sales end on the 26th July.

New in 2010 – Cite Europe in Calais often have "Ventes flash", short notice sales with many shops participating and offering extra discounts outside the normal sales periods. Check the web site for latest information before you go, and make sure you save even more money.

CREDIT CARDS – we suggest you ring your credit card company before shopping in France – increased fraud means they are turning down shoppers cards if their spending deviates from the norm. Take your mobile – you can often sort the problem out over the phone.

Troyes Mac Arthur Glen Factory shopping centre special opening times and offers.

Shopping Tips / Advice – Braderie (2nd hand) – Conversions, Imperial to Metric – Clothes & Shoe sizes

French shops are open much more than they use to be but it is still worth checking if they are in fact open before booking a daytrip.

Sales in France

The timing of sales in France is decided by the Government. In France there were only two legal sale periods each lasting a maximum of 6 weeks; winter sales (soldes d'hiver) in January/February and summer sales (Soldes d'été) in June/July. Since 2009 however, there is now a third sale, floating sale period. Shops can have these when they choose and they must run for two consecutive weeks or for one week each twice. Bargains of over 50% can be found in abundance. There is usually a nationwide start and then each department sets it own end date after a local government consultation with retail leaders.

Officially, according to Article D310-15-2 on the Legifrance web site, the winter sales start the second Wednesday of January at 8.00am. However the date is advanced a week if the second Wednesday is after the 12th of January. Therefore in 2010 the start date was actually the 6th January. In 2012 the sales started on the 11th January.

French Regulations relating to sales (in French). www.economie.gouv.fr

The thinking behind having regulated and set sale times is that goods in a sale must be genuinely reduced items.

The sales periods are the only time goods can be legally sold at below cost price in France.

Regulations require labels to show the original price, crossed out next to the sale price.

Items sold must have been sold previously, you will not find (as in the U.K.) specially bought in items for the sale period.

Items included in the sale must have been delivered at least one month before the sales start.

Products must be on sale at the stated original full price for at least one month before the sale start date and on the shop floor one week before. Additionally, items must be on the stores premises at least one month before the start of the sale.

Non sale items must be clearly indicated as such.

If the item is marked Solde it means Sale. Dégriffé means marked-down. A discount is remise. If a shop sells items outside of the designated sale times, then it will be called a "promotion".

You can ask for further discounts, this is best done nearer the end of the sale period.

All sale products have to have the same guarantees as non-sale items which means you can legally return an item up to two years after the purchase date. Usually, the sale of a discounted item is final and no refund is available.

– However if there is a fundamental defect, the shop is obliged to replace it or give a refund, providing you can prove it is defective. Some shops will insist on a replacement product only.

– If you buy the wrong size, it is up to the owner's discretion whether or not you can return it.

– You must keep your receipts.

– If the shop promotes a refund and exchange policy on its marketing materials, such as posters, or on till receipts which accompany the sale of the item, then the shop is obliged to abide by this policy. Look out for signs saying "ni repris, ni échangé" (no returns or exchanges).

Pay by Credit card – we find they generally give the best rates – you can buy just about anything with a credit card in France.

The final Saturday is often a good time to shop. Although much of the best stock will have gone, big discounts are available as shops try and get rid of their remaining stock. Often called the Braderie in French, stock is often piled up outside the shop on tables.

Internet bought items must be returned within 14 days.

If the vendor refuses to exchange the item due a defect, the first step would be to send the vendor a letter specifying the product (with serial and model numbers) and the problem by registered post. If this fails and you need to resort to litigation, contact the following consumer protection agencies; 1) Direction Générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). www.economie.gouv.fr

Another link to a French Government website concerning sale dates. www.service-public.fr

2) Centre européen de la consommation (CEC). www.europe-consommateurs.eu

The summer sales always start on the last Wednesday of June each year. www.legifrance.gouv.fr

Which shops are having a "floating sale"? Dates Soldes Flottants. www.dates-soldes-libres.com

Factory shops operate under different regulations and are legally allowed to discount last years items (pre-existing goods), as well as end of lines. Sales at the factory shops tend to offer very good value. Discounts tend to start low, and build up towards the end of the sale period. Sale prices must include the previous price offered, and goods purchased carry the same guarantee as a normally purchased item. Shops are not allowed to "buy in" goods for sales, so a shopping trip to France guarantees you genuinely discounted items.

Holiday Shopping

18th December 2011 – A January sale held in December in the U.K., something that can't happen in France, where sales only involve existing stock sold at pre determined times.

Useful link for sales in European countries. www.linternaute.com

Sizes – Clothes and Shoes

Sales in Luxembourg and Belgium

Luxembourg sale dates. www.entreprises.public.lu

Winter 2012 – 2nd to 21st January 2012.

Summer 2012 – 29th June to 14th July.

Belgium. Dates for each province. www.date-soldes.fr

Traditionally these run throughout the month of January and July only. In 2012 the Winter sales run from 3rd to 31st January. In summer they run from 1st to 31st July.

– Basalix Shopping Centre. Shopping mall near Brussels. Often lists the summer and winter sale dates. www.basilix.be

Sales in Spain

French site giving details of the sales in the regions of Spain. www.espagne-facile.com

Sales tips – from our message board

Get there early! As sale dates and opportunities are regulated in France they only occur when the State decides. Sales in France mean a real sale of goods normally sold throughout the year. No goods brought in specially because more people are shopping as in the United Kingdom for example. Although in this day and age it may seem strange that when a sale runs is down the State and not the shopkeeper, this does by and large protect the shopper. You know what to expect.

– Dixons. From a visitor. "If you want to buy computers / camcorders / cameras / hi-fi / DVD, etc., go into your local high street Dixon's, get a brochure, pick an item (with an alternative choice) and ring Dixon's at the Chunnel, quote the catalogue number and ask for a price (Tel: 01303 273 080), they can save you 15%, you get the same guarantee and you can have Dixon's finance! All you do is order it, drive down, collect (from this side of the channel, drive onto train, do your French shopping, come back. My mate saved £300 on a lap top pc". www.dixons.co.uk

Webmaster – they cannot sell at duty free prices to E.U. citizens, their prices (on a reduced range of goods) are roughly 15% cheaper than the high street.

More on our Travelling Tips page

Don't overload! – More

It may be cheap, but is your car big enough to carry it all? There are stiff penalties waiting at Dover and elsewhere for overloaded vehicles. Kent police are often waiting at the passport booths there, specifically looking for overloaded cars.

Factory Shops in France

Troyes is the main centre for factory shops in France, with centres in Roubaix (near Lille) and also in Metz. Basically, last years ranges can be discounted here, outside of the official sales periods in France. Sales time at factory shops can see superb bargains on offer. More

Shopping Fairs and Festivals

– Annual festival promoting Cannes (and shopping). See the Spring/Summer collections. Many special offers available. www.cannesshoppingfestival.com

Supermarkets and Shopping Centres

Main shopping Centres in Calais

– Cite Europe

– Centre L'Usine Cote d'Opale

Main Supermarkets in Calais

– Carrefour Cite Europe

– Carrefour Mi-voix

– Auchan Hypermarket

What to Buy – where to save money

Comprehensive general information / Best value items

Paris shopping and sales 2012 – The sixth "Soldes by Paris" (January) www.shoppingbyparis.com

Paris is now just 2 hours 15 minutes away with Eurostar.

The "Soldes by Paris" event invites fashionistas from all around the world to come to Paris for the winter sales.

An affordable stay and a chance to snap up great bargains during the winter sales in the world's shopping and fashion capital! That's what "Soldes by Paris" offers visitors from all around the world. For one whole month, shops sell their merchandise at steep discounts, districts are in festive mood and Paris tourism trade professionals (hotels, restaurants, coach operators etc.) provide more than 330 unique special offers with reductions of up to 50%. Shopping fans can start planning their trip to Paris straightaway by discovering good deals and special offers – plus exclusive offers for MasterCard holders.

Throughout December 2011, and January and February 2012, the whole city will live and breathe shopping! The Paris tourism trade will offer visitors exclusive reductions on accommodation, restaurants and leisure activities. "Soldes by Paris" has also lined up some fantastic shopping itineraries, good deals, a contest with exciting prizes to be won and special events in shopping districts.

With suggested walks and areas to shop in, together with many other useful tips, these walks are worth a look at.

Shopaholics will want to come to Paris in time to snap up the sale bargains in the boutiques and grand department stores and hopefully take in some of the sights at the same time.

This concept has been put together by the Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette is designed to help you make the most of your stay. Apparently 60% of people visiting Paris are there to shop. www.galerieslafayette.com

There are discounts available from local tour operators as well as special travel deals.

Other useful web site for Paris.

– Magasins Paris. www.shop-in-paris.com

The French site (in French) looks a bit more comprehensive though. www.magasins-paris.com

If you are driving this site will tell you where all the car parks are. www.parkingsdeparis.com

Hotels with character. www.leshotelsdeparis.com