Sales in France, Belgium and Luxembourg - when to go, what to expect, and where the best deals are. Tips and advice for day trippers & visitors to Calais, France - Day-tripper.net.
Sales in France - when to go and what to expect
The next sales in France in NORD (59), Pas de Calais (62) and Aube (10 - Troyes, Factory shopping centres) are the winter sales which run from 5th January 2011. In Belgium the sales are held in January (2010 - 2nd to 31st) and July (2010 - 1st to 31st July). The Winter sales normally start on the second Wednesday in January. Summer sales normally start on the third Wednesday of each year in France. |
All about Sales In France
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.
In 2009 the sale period was reduced from six to five weeks, and the opening and closing times are to be 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 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
Four departments in the east of France; the Vosges, Moselle, Meuse and Meurthe-et-Moselle, can receive a special dispensation to start the winter sales period early to enable them to compete with nearby Luxembourg and Belgium.
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.
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 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.
More abouts sales in France
Factory shopping centres in France - the places to go at sale time
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.
Shopping Tips / Advice - Braderie (2nd hand) - Conversions, Imperial to Metric - Factory Shops - Holiday shopping - Sizes - Clothes & Shoes
French Public holidays / Sales in France and Belgium / Holiday shopping. 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.
Useful outside links
French Government site with information on sales. www.dgccrf.bercy.gouv.fr Luxembourg sale dates. www.entreprises.public.lu Cite Europe in Calais, near the Eurotunnel exit. www.citeeurope.com  - Say NO to 0870. www.saynoto0870.com
 - Conseil National des Centres Commerciaux. Find a French Centre Commercial (click the map of France). www.cncc.com
 - Centres Commerciaux. Lists many Centre Commercial throughout France and Portugal. www.centres-commerciaux.com
 - Site des Marques. Useful resource for French brand information. www.sitedesmarques.com
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Sales in FranceThe 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, floating sale period. Shops can have these when they choose and they must run for two consecutive weeks. 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 is actually the 6th January. 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 The thinking behind having set sale times is that shops should not be allowed to "buy in" goods for sales, but that goods in a sale must be genuinely reduced items. Factory shops 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. 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". Pay by Credit card - we find they generally give the best rates - you can buy just about anything with a credit card in France. Switch is not widely available in France. French Government site with information on sales. www.dgccrf.bercy.gouv.fr Holiday Shopping |
Sales in Luxembourg and BelgiumLuxembourg sale dates. www.entreprises.public.lu Winter 2010 - They usually start the first Friday of January and run for two weeks. 2nd to 16th January 2010. Summer 2010 - 26th June to 10th July. Belgium Traditionally these run throughout the month of January and July only. The winter 2010 sales start on the 2nd and end on the 31st January.  - Basalix Shopping Centre. Shopping mall near Brussels. Often lists the summer and winter sale dates. www.basilix.be
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Sales in SpainFrench site giving details of the sales in the regions of Spain. www.espagne-facile.com |
Sales tips - from our message boardGet 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 - we understand that as 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 |
Sundays - during the sale periods many of the shopping centres open on some Sundays. 
During the sale period, extra discounts are offered on some days. Sign up to the local newsletter, and get advance warning of them. Look around when you arrive, the banners and posters are there for a reason. It may be worth popping in to the shops participating in the offer. 
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Don't overload! - MoreIt 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 FranceTroyes 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
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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
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What to Buy - where to save moneyComprehensive general information / Best Value items |
Paris shopping and sales The second "Soldes by Paris" (January).  - The City of Paris Tourist Office has a great site. www.shoppingbyparis.com
With suggested walks and areas to shop in, together with many other useful tips, they are worth a look at. Paris is now just 2 hours 15 minutes away with Eurostar. 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 new 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 More than 1,700 retailers, 500 hotels and restaurants, will be participating in the second "Soldes by Paris" to help make this a world-beating event. Visitors can choose from five different itineraries that will help not only make shopping easier but more fun as well. Information points have been set up by the visitors bureau in the city’s five main shopping centres with English speaking "shopping coaches" to help you really enjoy your retail therapy. The itineraries designed to appeal to different moods and tastes will enable you combine shopping with visits to your favourite sites, and offer advice on where to get the best lunches and dinners. 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 Hotles with character. www.leshotelsdeparis.com |
