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This summer, when I went to Paris, besides sitting outside of a bistro, going to City Pharma, or seeing the Eiffel Tower, getting a nice pair of Mary Janes was on my priority list.
When walking around the chic Parisian district of Le Marais, most girls seemed to be wearing the same uniform: basic tees, solid ’90s-style skirts, sunglasses, and either ballet flats or Mary Janes.
Interesting facts about ballet flats:
In the early days of ballet, ballerinas actually danced in heeled shoes! In the 1730s, French ballerina Marie Camargo removed the heels to allow for greater freedom of movement, including jumps. After the French Revolution in 1799, heels fell out of favor in France because they were associated with aristocracy, wealth, and social status. Flat shoes became increasingly popular. Today, ballet flats are the epitome of French sophistication and timeless allure. A good pair of ballet flats has the power to elevate any look.
Similarly, Mary Janes are a major staple in modern French fashion. However, their name dates back to the early 20th-century American comic strip Buster Brown, which featured a young character named Mary Jane.
In addition, Mary Janes have a royal connection in Spain, where they are known as merceditas, named after Queen María de las Mercedes of Spain. Originally worn by children, a pair of Mary Jane pumps beautifully elongates the leg while offering comfort, a nostalgic feel, and timeless elegance.
Although they have never gone out of style, Mary Janes have made a comeback in recent years: patent-leather styles, slingbacks, and flats. There’s no shortage of Mary Jane options in Paris.
My budget was 200 euros for one pair (about $232). Beware of shops that sell plastic shoes! It’s so much better to invest in a pair that will last you for a few years. All these shops provide international shipping, but it’s usually cheaper and much better to go in person.
Simple Rainbow
When looking for ballet flats in Paris, Simple Rainbow was inescapable on my Instagram feed. It really seems to be Gen Z’s favorite shoe store in Paris. Simple Rainbow has become a viral sensation on Instagram and TikTok, with videos showcasing wheels of multicolored ballet flats.
Expect to find long lines. Although when I went there on my first day, the line wasn’t that long but I first wanted to see other options. I did not go in but I took a peek. The store is very tiny and due to the massive demand, they’re constantly running out of sizes and models. Hours are also very limited.
With the exception of a few models, Simple Rainbow’s ballet flats are priced at 150 euros ($174).
The brand has recently launched an online store that will let you take a look at their inventory. However, according to multiple reviews, it is not advised to buy it online due to the tricky sizes, shipping fees and unexpected import duties at the airport.
I love the array of colors, but after seeing pictures of people wearing the ballet flats, in all honesty, they look a little cheap to me. The oversized bows don’t help either.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Galeries Lafayette is a must-visit shopping destination in Paris. Think Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s on steroids. Their shoe section is actually Europe’s largest shoe department! With almost 200 brands, including most of the ones on this list, you’ll definitely find something.
Here’s where I bought my two pairs of Mary Janes! A very nice older woman named Mary was with me every step of the way. I told her what I was looking for and we browsed the entire floor – making sure I could find the right Mary Janes within my budget. Talk about personalized attention!
I got these gorgeous burgundy patent-leather Mary Janes from the French brand Mellow Yellow, which got a lot of looks when I took pictures by the Eiffel Tower!
I also got the last pair of black slingback Mary Jane pumps from Galeries Lafayette’s own brand. They were on sale for 60 euros ($70), down from 130 euros ($150). Look out for sales!
You will be there for at least an hour, so take all the time in the world to browse the entire floor.
Note: Patent leather is glossy, extremely delicate, and very prone to scratches. Even when I’m at the office, sometimes I notice a few minor scratches on my Mary Janes from the wheels of my desk chair. All you have to do is gently rub the surface with a lightly dampened cloth, but they will require some maintenance over time.
Repetto
Welcome to the Rolls-Royce of ballet flats. Repetto was founded in Paris in 1952 by Rose Repetto, who began making dance shoes for her son, a choreographer at the Palais Garnier, after he would come home with sore feet. In 1950, Rose Repetto became the go-to seamstress for ballerinas thanks to her revolutionary and exceptionally comfortable ballet shoes, which were made using the ‘stitch-and-return’ method, a technique that requires a high level of precision and craftsmanship.
The brand has transitioned from a dance shoe company to a luxury French brand that includes activewear, but ballet shoes are still at the core of Repetto.
Although its dance shoes are not particularly expensive, a pair of Repetto ballet flats will set you back around 400 euros ($464) due to their ‘stitch and return’ method, which it’s still used to this day. The website states that all their ballet flats are handmade at their atelier with exceptional leather, and durable materials that will conform to the shape of your foot.
The brand’s best-selling ballet flat is the Camille. Available in 15 different colors, these flats are the epitome of femininity and softness. They look as dainty as Cinderella’s glass slipper, and their delicate bows are worthy of a mention, too.
So, all in all, you’re not just buying any other ballet flats; you’re making an investment in one of France’s most iconic ballet shoe brands, where decades of heritage and craftsmanship help justify the high price tag. Unlike many other shoe brands, Repetto offers free worldwide shipping and an easy return process.
On this trip, I really wanted a pair of Mary Janes, but these ballet flats are on my list for my next Paris trip! I love a good red, but those lilac-colored Camille’s are stunning.
Olivia Rodrigo wearing the Camille flats in Pommard Red for her Rolling Stone interview in September (left) and the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival promo (right). I would love to raid her shoe closet! If you Google Olivia Rodrigo + Camille flats, you’ll see she actually owns them in different colors. During this album rollout, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, she’s been leaning heavily into Repetto ballet flats and black Mary Janes.
Carel Paris
Speaking of Olivia, I wanted to visit Carel after seeing these pictures of her sporting these beautiful Mary Janes in LA earlier this year. That was until I found out that one pair retails between 400 and 700 euros ($464 – $812).
You may find sales online on Farfetch and other stores that sell them for half the price, but I highly recommend trying them in person. With many other cheaper options for Mary Janes, especially in Paris, I wouldn’t get too attached — but gosh, aren’t they beautiful? Their glossy red patent-leather Mary Janes come in four different models, including pumps and slingbacks.
Carel was founded in 1952 in Paris by Georges Carel and his wife Rosa. They met on the street in Paris, fell in love and created a shoe brand together. George’s father was a shoemaker from Algeria and Rosa’s family was from Eastern Europe. Carel pays homage to the French shoes of that era: feminine, elegant, comfortable, yet utilitarian enough to navigate Paris’ cobblestone streets.
Even if you don’t buy anything, a look at their boutique in Le Marais is worth it. Other celebrities that are fans of Carel are Daisy Edgar-Jones, Lily-Rose Depp and Aly & AJ.
Flabelus
When I went to City Pharma, on the same street, I came across Flabelus’ inviting boutique, with red-carpeted floors, sumptuous booths, and gold-toned display shelves. I was surprised to learn that this is a brand from my hometown of Madrid.
Flabelus was founded by Beatriz de los Pozos, who started the brand during the pandemic as a side project. In September of that year, she quit her job to work on Flabelus full time – and what a rise! The growth of Flabelus in six years has been impressive to say the least: 54 countries, forty flagship stores and more on the way, plus a presence at boutiques in some of the world’s most important cities.
The Spanish footwear brand is reimagining traditional Spanish shoes that feel modern yet unmistakably Flabelus, including espadrilles, slippers and flat Mary Janes made with decadent plush velvet fabrics.
The sales associate at the Paris store said that the velvet Mary Jane flats, called Lucrecia, were all the rage among Parisian girls. “Everyone comes in for these,” she said, pointing to the black pair.
Since it was cheaper to get them in Madrid, I got them in burgundy at Flabelus’ flagship store, and I’m so happy I did! Not only are they gorgeous, but they’re also very comfortable and molded to my feet right away. At first glance, Flabelus’ shoes look stiff, but the salesperson in Madrid even bent the sole to show me how flexible they are.
Flabelus shoes run small and you will need to size up! I’m usually a EUR 40, but I ended up needing a 42!
Fun fact: A few days before this post went live, I went to my go-to line dancing spot in LA. To my surprise, as I was walking off the dance floor to get some water, I spotted the instantly recognizable Flabelus velvet Mary Janes on a girl wearing the Lucrecia model in blue. We struck up a conversation, and she told me she had bought them in Madrid last year!
This was such a perfect example of how important brand recognition can be—and Flabelus has absolutely nailed it.
Jonak Paris
If you’re looking for ballet flats that won’t break the bank quite as much as Carel or Repetto, Jonak is a nice mid-tier alternative.
Even though Jonak’s ballet flats are in the same price range as Simple Rainbow’s, they look more expensive and elevated – with a more polished finish and sturdier silhouette.
Jonak is also available at Galeries Lafayette, so I would go there first to see if something catches your eye, and perhaps you might be able to snag a sale. I tried the last pair of their burgundy Mary Janes that were on sale but they were too small. However, this wasn’t an issue because I was able to get a very similar pair from Mellow Yellow – as you can see in the pictures above.
You never know! Otherwise, you may go to one of their many boutiques around the city.
Bobbies Paris
Bobbies is another great option for Mary Janes.
Before going there, I was amazed by their online sales, but when I visited the boutique in Le Marais, they only had the brown and silver Mary Janes available—not the Cherry Gloss pair I had been eyeing just days earlier. It’s been over a month since my trip, and the website still shows them as sold out.
Thank you for reading! I hope you found this guide useful and that you enjoy shoe shopping in Paris.
