A Follow-Up to “Paris with Teenagers: A Local Mom’s Complete Guide”
In my main guide, I shared the activities that tend to work for most teens. The classics. The reliable wins.
But some teenagers don’t care about climbing towers or immersive exhibitions. They care about outfits. Skincare. Window displays. Street style. The mood of a neighborhood.
If your teen’s feed is full of beauty reels and fashion inspiration, Paris is not just a city trip. It’s a playground.
This guide zooms in on the fashion- and beauty-focused side of Paris — the one that feels inspiring, current, and very easy to enjoy.
8 Things to Do in Paris for Fashion & Beauty-Loving Teens
If your teen connects more to aesthetics than adrenaline, this list will make planning simple.
These are experiences that feel curated rather than forced. Creative workshops. Iconic shopping streets. Beauty treasure hunts. Places where Paris lives up to its reputation as a style capital — without needing industry access.
You don’t need Fashion Week invitations. You just need the right addresses.
#1 Make your own Perfume
→ If you like the idea, this is the most popular perfume workshop in Paris
If your teen is into beauty, this one is hard to beat. Because creating a fragrance in Paris feels special from the start.
You test notes, blend scents, and slowly shape something that’s entirely your own. And there’s something deeply satisfying about that — not just buying, but creating. It gives that quiet sense of ownership: this is mine. For teenagers, who are constantly figuring out who they are, that kind of self-expression really lands.
I also love it because it naturally turns into Paris Family quality time. You sit together, compare blends, laugh about what doesn’t work, and celebrate what does.
There are two great options depending on how much time (and budget) you want to invest:
→ A more in-depth perfume creation workshop at Molinard
→ A shorter Fragonard workshop with museum visit
Both let your teen leave with their own unique fragrance — and a memory attached to it.
#2 Attend a Fashion Show at Galeries Lafayette
→ Sounds interesting? Here’s where you can reserve your seat
Let’s be honest: getting tickets to a real Paris Fashion Week show is almost impossible unless you’re in the industry. It’s invite-only, highly exclusive, and not something you can just book on a whim.
But here’s the good news. Even if you’re not in Paris during Fashion Week, you can still attend a fashion show — easily — at Galeries Lafayette.
Right in the heart of this iconic department store (which is already worth a visit for the dome alone), they host short runway shows showcasing current trends and French style. It lasts about 30 minutes, it’s polished, fun, and feels very “real.”
For teens who love fashion content, it’s a great way to experience the vibe of a Paris runway without needing industry connections.
Spots are limited and shows don’t run daily — check availability in advance and reserve your seats before your trip.
#3 Create Your Own Bracelet in Paris
→ Sounds interesting? Here’s where you can reserve your spot
If your teen likes jewelry or DIY moments, this is a fun little break from sightseeing.
You spend about an hour choosing stones and assembling your own bracelet in a relaxed studio setting. It’s simple, hands-on, and easy to enjoy — no experience needed. You leave with something pretty that you actually made yourself.
I like this one because it slows the day down. After walking for hours, sitting at a table and creating something feels almost therapeutic. And it’s a sweet memory to take home — especially if you make one for each other.
If you want to add a creative pause to your itinerary, check availability ahead of time — spots are limited.
#4 Fashion Hotspot: The Marais
If your teen is even remotely into fashion, take them to the Marais.
The Marais is the hotspot for small designers, concept stores, vintage shops, and brands that feel current rather than classic. It’s where the stylish crowd hangs out — locals, creatives, students, people who clearly thought about their outfit.
Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s inspiring. You walk, you look, you peek into boutiques, you sit at a café and just watch. It’s basically live street-style research.
And if shopping is on the agenda, this is one of the best areas in Paris for it. Concept stores, independent labels, vintage treasures, beauty brands, jewelry, sneakers — everything that feels “in” tends to show up here first.
Here are a few addresses to help you know where to start:
- Merci, 11 Boulevard Beaumarchais: a concept store where you find among other apparel and accessories from French fashion labels
- Kilo Shop: Vintage fashion paid by the kilo
- Veja: Boutique with the most trendy vegan sneakers in France
- Le Bijou Parisien: lovely Paris-themed store for souvenirs
#5 Get a Professional Photo Shoot in Paris
If your teen loves fashion, beauty, and anything that feels a little editorial, a professional photo shoot in Paris can be the ultimate highlight.
This isn’t just about getting nice pictures. It’s about the experience. Choosing an outfit. Walking through Paris like it’s your own runway. Having someone capture those moments properly instead of relying on quick phone shots.
For teens who care about aesthetics, this feels special in the best way. A little elevated. A little glamorous. And very memorable.
You come home with beautiful photos, yes. But also with lasting memories — and that rare feeling of having had a moment that was entirely theirs.
If you like the idea of a photoshooting, you can check availability and book a session here.
#6 Beauty Shopping in Paris
If your teen is into skincare, makeup, or beauty reels, Paris can easily turn into a treasure hunt.
There are obviously endless options, but a few names come up again and again:
- Typology – minimalist, Paris-born skincare that feels very “French girl.”
- The Ordinary – affordable, ingredient-focused, and hugely popular with teens who know their actives.
- Sephora on the Champs-Élysées – not just any Sephora. It’s HUGE, busy, and fun to browse.
- Oh My Cream – modern beauty concept store with curated, clean, niche skincare and makeup. Several locations across Paris.
- Korean Cosmetics near Saint-Lazare – K-beauty is very on-trend in Paris right now.
- Kiko Milano – great for lower budgets and impulse makeup shopping.
But here’s the honest part: the real excitement often isn’t just the products — it’s the prices.
Many beauty brands are noticeably cheaper in France than in the US and some other countries. That’s why places like City Pharma in Saint-Germain are practically pilgrimage spots. I know quite a few of my American readers who plan a full stop there and leave with half a suitcase of French pharmacy skincare.
If your teen loves beauty content, this can easily become one of their favorite Paris moments — browsing shelves, comparing prices, discovering brands they’ve only seen online.
#7 Shopping Malls in Paris
Like everywhere else in the world, malls are a natural hangout spot for teenagers in Paris. If your teen just wants something familiar — brands they know, food courts, bubble tea, places to sit without “doing culture” — this is your safe bet.
The biggest and most central one is Westfield Forum des Halles in Châtelet. It’s modern, busy, and packed with international brands. What many visitors don’t realize: this exact spot has been a trading hub since the 11th century. For centuries, it was the main market of Paris and was nicknamed “the belly of Paris.” So even a mall stop here has a bit of history baked in.
If you need a low-effort afternoon or a weather-proof plan, this works every time.
Other malls in Paris worth knowing:
- Les Passages du Havre (Saint-Lazare)
- Bercy Village (open-air, relaxed vibe in former wine warehouses)
- Beaugrenelle (modern mall near the Seine, not far from the Eiffel Tower)
- Westfield Les 4 Temps (La Défense, huge and very popular with local teens)
Sometimes the best way to reset the mood is simply: let them browse.
#8 La Galerie Dior
If your teen is into fashion, this is probably already on their radar.
La Galerie Dior tells the story of Christian Dior and the house he built — from the famous “New Look” to the spectacular couture gowns that look more like art than clothes. The staging is dramatic, beautifully designed, and genuinely impressive. Even teens who usually scroll fashion rather than study it tend to appreciate seeing the real craftsmanship up close.
The museum sits on Avenue Montaigne, which is basically fashion ground zero in Paris. This is where you find the big names — Chanel, Givenchy, and the rest of the ultra-luxury world. Even just walking the street before or after makes the whole experience feel elevated.
It’s popular. Very. Book ahead if you don’t want disappointment.
Quick Wrap-Up
Paris works beautifully for fashion- and beauty-focused teens — if you lean into it.
Perfume workshops instead of history lectures. The Marais instead of museum marathons. A runway show at Galeries Lafayette instead of chasing exclusive invites. Beauty stores instead of souvenir shops.
It’s still culture. Just expressed differently.
And if this niche isn’t the right fit, you can also read:
→ Paris with Teenagers: The Instagram & Netflix Edition
→ Paris with Teenagers: Pop Culture & Gaming Edition
→ Paris with Teenagers: Food-Loving Teens
→ Paris with Active & Energetic Teens
Same city. Different lens.
Choose the version of Paris that matches your teen — and the trip becomes much easier.
Want more Paris recommendations? Here’s my free Google Map with 200+ spots 🗺️
À bientôt,
Lena
Parisienne since 2006 🇫🇷
Sharing Paris life, French culture, cafés, food & honest travel tips
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NEW: The Salut from Paris Travel Guide:
Must-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to stay online while in Paris. I used Airalo for my travels.
- You likely need a travel adapter to plug your devices.
- Travel Insurance – if you don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is a good option.
- If your flight is delayed or even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.
Tours & Attractions:
- I book tours & activities through Get Your Guide or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets can be cheaper on the official page, but they are often sold out.
- I love the GoCity Travel Passes for easy planning
Flights & Transportation:
- I use Omio to compare flight fares & connections
- Airport transfers I book through Welcome Pickup
- For car rentals, I use AutoEurope. It’s easy to compare prices
- Train Tickets, you can book through Omio
- Here’s my Parisian Metro Guide
Accomodation:
- Hotels in Europe I mostly book through Booking.com (check reviews carefully)
- Vacation Rentals through Airbnb or VRBO