Chanel

This was, hands down, the best shopping experience I’ve ever had at any luxury designer store. No, anywhere.
Located on the charming Rue Cambon, this location is the original, now flagship Chanel where Coco lived in the flat above. We came by on a Saturday before noon, and it wasn’t all that busy until much later around 1pm (yes, we were here for over two hours lol).
We browsed through the entire store and then we were approached by Jun, who worked with us during the rest of our visit. She spoke Mandarin Chinese, English, and French, making it very convenient for us. We were offered complimentary beverages, such as orange juice, sparkling water, hot tea, eater, and champagne, which was lovely. Imagine being surrounded by beautiful bags, while sipping on a glass of champagne — every girl’s dream come true! The only thing missing were diamonds.
I really liked Jun because she went above and beyond, was so patient, understanding, and friendly. I spent a really long time trying to pick out a bag for myself being the indecisive person I am, so I’m grateful she wasn’t annoyed pulling out and putting back the same bags over and over again. In the end, we got a Boy bag, two WOCs, and some jewelry for a steal, due to the slightly reduced prices and VAT return.
Inventory is pretty large and they will definitely have the newest seasonal items in stock. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside, unless you want a photo at the famous staircase leading up to Coco’s old flat.
Chanel stores around the world offer black boxes with your purchases, whereas you’ll receive the coveted white box at this location, which makes it all the more special. They also offer white unmarked white plastic bags with snap closures to cover your shopping bag to not only protect it from weather, but to help prevent street robbery. If you’re really afraid, they also offer free delivery to any address in Paris, so you don’t have to walk around all day with your heavy shopping bags, especially if you’re from out of town.
Shopping here was definitely a check off my bucket list and believe me when I say this store is a must-​visit if you’re ever in Paris and love handbags, even if you have to make a detour.

The Chanel at this location is the flagship store. The Mademoiselle Chanel lived upstairs and used to design upstairs as well.
The sales people are magnificent. They know all of the details about the bags and the history of Chanel, so be sure to ask a lot of questions and find out about all the details of the bags you are looking at. For example, there are little additions that Coco Chanel added to the bags to make her life easier, i.e. the red/​maroon lining in the bags were added as she aged because it made it easier for her to find things in the bag with the maroon color contrast (instead of black).
They will serve you champagne, tea, sparkling water, so you won’t be parched after talking excitedly about the bags you look at.
Also this is the only store that you will get the white box. Every other store only has black for your purchase because they aren’t the original. It is worth a detour just to check out. The chanel mothership!!!

Bought my first Chanel shoes and bag here. Yes, I’m a lucky girl =)
It’s all business. The sales people bring you what you want and you try it on and decide. There’s no small talk… They will bring you a glass of champagne if you ask.
They have a huge selection and most shoes were available in my size.
Super expensive, but worth it =) Who doesn’t want a Chanel something?

The original Chanel! Coco Chanel lived in the apartment above the store. Though someone occupies the space today, you can go up a portion of the elegant staircase in the store that leads to the apartment.
I came to the store to check out where it all began but also to look for a wallet that would go with my black Classic Medium Flap with silver hardware. I loved the wallets my sales associate brought me however, they only had them in gold. She checked the system for me and told me that unfortunately in all of Europe and Asia none of their stores carry black caviar wallets with silver hardware, only gold! Of course I wanted to come back home with a Chanel item because being a French product it is cheaper in France and also because of the VAT refund.
None the less, my sales associate was very friendly and didn’t put any sales pressure on me. I did probably look a little bummy due to Euro standards (I was wearing my Luluemon gear which is normal in California but not overseas and I had my anti-​theft purse instead). The other associates were friendly as well offering us beverages while I was waiting and letting me take a pic on those beloved stairs. I would definitely recommend this location when in Paris. I also beat the morning rush, as I was leaving there seemed to be a wait for a sales associate.

Ahhhh, the flagship aka mothership!
This is what dreams are made of.
I walked in gitty and in hopes of finding my the bag I had wanted. This store is huge and has more in stock than the others.
There is more staff here on hand and even though there is a queue, they are very helpful and very nice when it is your turn.
They also have more items (I saw what they had in jewelry and it’s about twice as much as a different boutique).
They did not have the bag that I wanted. However they will go out of their way to find something for you or similar items that might work for you.
Amazing experience and great staff!

paris wouldnt be complete without coming to the flagship store. Came here on a thursday, it was relatively busy in the bag area of the store, a lot of people shopping for bags. There was 3 people ahead of me when i asked for assistance. Finally, i met Veronique (the best, friendliest and nicest chanel sales associate ive ever met… the SA’s here are general much nicer than the ones in rodeo and orange county)… She helped me with my purchase that day. She also gave me a little bit of chanel history with coco chanel’s apt staircase and the mirrors. You could definitely tell that she loved what she was doing and she’s so good at it.

As soon as I walked in (no wait), I was greeted and asked if I needed help with something. I was in search for my first Chanel and there is definitely no other place to purchase your first than at their flagship store while in Paris.
In less than 10 minutes, a very nice sales person named Jee Soo came to my assistance. I showed her a few pictures of purses I was interested in and she came out with what they had in stock. She was very patient and friendly. After I decided on my very first, I swung by the wallets for a quick peek.
From start to the very end, the service was impeccable. The greeters, my sales associate, and the cashier were all very professional and friendly. At the end, I asked Jee Soo if we could see the stairway to Coco Chanel’s apartment. She was happy to show it to me and the security even opened the glass doors for us to have our photo taken at the bottom of the steps.
The store was also very beautiful and classy. Overall, a very wonderfully and pleasant experience!!!
Con:
Go in the store with an open mind. If you have a specific style and/​or color you want, the chances are they may be sold out. The classic Chanel in black and navy was sold out, the chevron flap bag in black was also sold out, and I heard other sales people tell their guests that their inquiries were also out in all of Paris. People definitely come in the store to buy!

Outstanding service. The staff served Espressos, chocolates, chilled water (on a super hot day, I might add) while I waited for my wife to shop. It was truly service with a smile — not like the horror stories you hear about snooty Parisian sales staff. The store is ALWAYS crowded but they still manage to handle it efficiently and made us feel welcome with no pressure to buy. We had our 2 year old daughter with us in a stroller and she was running around, making noise, but they were never impatient or troubled by it.
We loved our experience and my wife loved her purchases here.
One person in particular needs to be called out for exceptional service — Aya. If you can find her and have her assist your sale, you’d be delighted with the experience.

Came here as a 4 day mini trip from London. This place is so chaotic! But as the original Chanel I was excited to be here. A con is that you cannot touch or try on the bags on the shelves– u must wait for assistance which can be 30 – 60 minutes.
If you go, ask for Arianne, she was so helpful– plus I was able to take pics by COCO Chanel’s staircase. A must see for a Chanel fan.

I accidentally stumbled here like I did for the other chanel store in paris. It’s the flagship store and it was huge. There was no line to get into the store but I had to wait a few to be helped by a sales associate. I felt a bit rushed in this store compared to the montaigne store. I don’t know if it’s because it’s the flagship store or not. They were very kind to me and helpful in showing me the different varieties available.
It is worth it to see the flagship store in Paris though. I would come back again if I went to Paris since they appear to have a larger collection than the other stores.

When in Paris, one must visit the Mothership! This is the original Chanel boutique — at first glance, it’s on a street off of Rue St. Honoré that seems nondescript until you see the white Chanel awning.
I had to queue up and wait to get into the store. Someone in the line questioned that it was ridiculous that we had to wait. I’m not sure if this person is aware of how security has to keep an eye on the craziness, but every other Chanel/​LV store around the world has queue, mostly from tourists. People need to get over it and queue up just like everyone else.
With that said, when you enter the store to the right is the iconic staircase that Mademoiselle Chanel herself sat at the top of and and watched her fashion shows. There is also a large picture of her next to the stairs.
One of the unique things about this store is that it is the only store that has the white Chanel bags and boxes that say 31 Rue Cambon in black lettering. Every other Chanel store in the world has the black bags and boxes with white lettering. There is also a dedicated person who will take the time to help you with your VAT receipt. I also saw several customers who bought purses or clothing have their purchases put in a plain brown plastic bag to keep their customers from being targets of muggings.
The Rue Cambon store is a must see for any fashionista. Be sure to stop by, look at the mirrored staircase and pay homage to one of the most influential designers of our time.

Vraiment le seul de toute les boutique Chanel ou il faut se rendre!
Acceuil excellent rien a redire!

L’adresse mode ultra luxe de la capitale… Mythique berceau de Coco et ring du grand maitre… Le boss ! Mr Karl !

Eigentlich schon immer habe ich die Düfte von Chanel geliebt. Vor allem den Klassiker No 19.
Vor ein paar jahren war ich mit dem Geld etwas knapper und habe aus diesem Grund versucht dieses Parfüm über Ebay zu ersteigern. Ich erstand auch ein Parfüm, leider war dies zwar günstig, aber auch eine Fälschung. Ich zeigte den Verkäufer an und meldete meinen Fund Chanel. Da ich es nicht verstehen kann, wie Menschen andere Menschen so über den Tisch ziehen können und zumal der Verkäufer zu Anfang keinerlei Einlenken zeigte.
Chanel sprang auch gleich an. Wollte das von mir erstandene Parfüm zugeschickt bekommen um selbst zu prüfen ob es sich um eine Fälschung handelt, was mri dann auch von Chanel bestätigt wurde.
Weshalb ich Chanel nur 2 Sterne erteile?
Ich habe auf Wunsch von Chanel das Parfüm dem Konzern zugeschickt. Alles auf meine Kosten. Auf die Nachfrage ob mir die angefallene Kosten, Paket etc. erstattet würden erhielt ich einen Dankesbrief von der Firma, in dem sie mich noch darauf hinwiesen, wie wichtig es wäre, Fälschungen direkt zu melden, und das ich doch meine Düfte demnächst in einer anständigen Filiale kaufen sollte, Ebay würde der Branche einen riesigen Schaden zufügen. ERstattet bekam ich nichts. Ich möchte dazu anmerken, ich wollte keinen Finderlohn oder ähnl. ich wollte meine Kosten erstattet bekommen. Und so ein Verhalten finde ich für so einen großen KOnzern einfach schäbig. Chanel kaufe ich seitdem nur! noch über Ebay, da ist es einfach günstiger und eine Fälschung habe ich seit dem nie wieder bekommen, — toi toi toi.

Et j’espère moi aussi avoir un jour la chance de visiter les appartements de Chanel!
Sacs de luxe website:

L’adresse phare de la Maison Chanel. Adresse du siège social également et des bureaux des designers. La célèbre marque de Coco Chanel prend toute son ampleur dans les murs du 31. D’un côté l’espace prêt-​à-​porter où l’on shoppe les fabuleux sacs 2.55 mythiques et un coin beauté pour parfaire son look. De l’autre côté, un escalier magistral qui mèné aux Salons de Haute Couture où son reçu les clientes pour leurs robes sur-​mesure. Un vrai conte de fées pour petites filles !

Première adresse où Gabrielle Chanel a exercé, le 31 rue Cambon est aujourd’hui la maison mère de la célèbre marque aux deux C entrelacés.
Sur plusieurs étages, on retrouve l’élégance de l’enseigne déclinée en parfum, vêtements, chaussures et maroquinerie et tout dans un intérieur d’un blanc raffiné tout en restant simple… dans le respect de l’esprit de Coco.
Le symbole de ce lieu mythique reste le magnifique escalier, qui se reflète tout du long sur de grands miroirs.
L’accueil fait par le personnel est très professionnel et très aimable. Un service haute gamme à la hauteur de sa réputation

La boutique a été redesignée il y a quelques temps. Un vrai labyrinthe, je n’ai pas trop compris l’esprit, en plus ça a toujours l’air vieux. Cela reste quand même la boutique emblématique de Chanel et cela reste pour moi assez mythique et mystique. Même en solde, ce n’est pas encore dans mes moyens mais ça reste une source d’inspiration pour faire les magasins.
Les vendeurs sont sympa, l’espace est agréable, il y a de tout, du parfum, aux sacs à main, en passant par les lunettes et les vestes.
Et j’espère moi aussi avoir un jour la chance de visiter les appartements de Chanel!

j’ai eu la chance de visiter le rez de chaussée ainsi que l’appartement de Melle Chanel, un grand moment ou les qualificatifs et superlatifs sont de rigueur.
Difficile de renouveler l’expérience.
Génial

This is the flagship store; therefore, it is busy. My honey says it’s similar to Macy’s and really wasn’t thrilled but I was :)
I was serviced quickly and really didn’t have to wait for an SA… the store was very busy but its worth a visit if its your first time in Chanel Paris. I went in knowing what I wanted but ended up getting something else and I’m so glad that I did. For those wondering if it is worth it to buy in Paris vs. the US, the answer is absolutely yes. The initial savings on my purchase was about $ 600 US dollars and that does not include the tax I would have paid in the US… in addition you get the VAT tax which was an additional $ 400+ savings (cash option)…do the math its so worth it