Headed to Paris and wondering if a stop at the French discount drugstore is worth your time? I am here to tell you that it is – even if it’s just for one or two very special products (see my picks below). I was in France earlier this year and carved out a few hours one morning to visit the cult pharmacy, so I can confidently answer this question: is a visit to CityPharma worth it?
Related: Things I Wish I Knew Before Using a Travel Agent for Paris
What is CityPharma?
Pharmacies are located on nearly every corner in Paris and are marked with a green plus sign. But, there is only one CityPharma and this is where you’ll find popular French skin care at deep discount prices.
The store is located in the sixth arrondissement at 26 Rue du Four, 75006 Paris. Hours vary so check the website, especially for weekend hours.
People suggest going first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. My daughter and I walked over on a weekday after a late breakfast at Café de Flore. The store was busy but not jam packed.
What to Buy at the French Pharmacy
I was easily influenced by other bloggers and TikTok videos on what to buy at CityPharma. I filled my basket with La Roche-Posay, NUXE, Caudalíe, Klorane, Bioderma, Avene, Biafine, A313 and more. So much more. Doubles and triples of items. I spent nearly $350 dollars.
A blogger wrote that I had to buy the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil so I bought the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil.
I don’t even like the NUXE Dry Oil. It smells like grandma.
My Favorite Items from CityPharma
There are three items from CityPharma that I absolutely love. I wish I could have filled a carry-on bag full of these items, they are just so good.
- Caudalíe Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Correcting Serum ($82/1oz at Sephora)
- Great for all skin types, visibly reduces dark spots, age spots, sun spot, acne scars.
- I paid €42.89 which is about 1/2 of the price in the states.
- This is now part of my skin care routine and it hurts knowing how inexpensive it is in France.
- A313 Pommade
- 2% retinol that came highly recommended.
- I paid €6.69 but it can be found on Amazon for $17.
- Doesn’t irritate my skin and I see huge improvement in my congested areas.
- Klorane Dry Shampoo
- Made with oat milk, free from parabens and sulfate-free.
- I paid €12 for a 2-pack, Amazon has it for sale for $20 for one 3.2 fl. oz. bottle.
Is a Visit to CityPharma Worth It?
If you love skin care and can find time in your schedule, I definitely suggest visiting CityPharma. I also suggest buying what speaks to you instead of following some ‘must have’ list because you will end up with grandma-scented dry oil.
A few other suggestions:
- Ask the salespeople in the white lab coats for help. They all spoke very good English and helped me find the Caudalíe products I was looking for. Otherwise, I would have purchased from their acne line and that would have been a huge disappointment.
- The A313 Pommade isn’t available on the shelves. You have to ask for it from a pharmacist (I did this when paying on the second floor cashier).
- Watch for the up sale. While the salesperson helped me locate the Caudalíe, she also upsold me on a few other products from the line (easily influenced, remember?). I don’t hate the Caudalíe Premier Cru Anti Aging Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid but at the $129 price tag in the states, it’s highly unlikely I will repurchase.
Happy shopping!
Related: Packing a Carry-On for an International Flight
We’re Your New Best Friends
Hi, we’re Megan and Wendy your midlife besties! Join us on Patreon every Monday where we’re talking everyday life, pop culture, and more!
You can also find us on “Girls Gone Hallmark” on Tuesdays and Thursdays where we review new and fan-favorite Hallmark movies and ask the question: Did you see that?
