© Ellie Mahoney
Shopping in Les 2 Alpes
Discover the top Les 2 Alpes shops and shopping areas
Many people would not automatically think of Les Deux Alpes as a place to head out and hit the shops, however the town boasts a diverse range of stores that are guaranteed to suit all lifestyles.
From high-spec technical sports apparel and equipment, to luxury shops and artisanal food shops, Les Deux Alpes has an array of 'magasins' that are perfect whether you need a last minute gift or just fancy a mooch.
Food & Drink
If it is regional and local produce you are after, skip the chain supermarkets and head to a local fayre shop which will sell all the local cheeses, Saucissons, biscuits and other French local culinary treats and sweets, beers, wine, chocolate and a whole host of regional goodies.
Gifts & Souvenirs
If you are after some Les Deux Alpes souvenirs there are plenty of little shops dotted around resort that can provide you with the classic souvenirs of mugs, magnets, ornaments and more.
High Street fashion
There are some fashion, jewellery, accessory and gift stores with ranges of the latest fashions. There's also beauty shops and hairdressers for a pampering session.
If you're after some perfume and beauty goods you can head to the pharmacies - there's nothing quite like the French pharmacy beauty brands, they are known for their high quality with a whole host of great brands that are unavailable in the UK.
Sports Shops
As you would expect from an outdoor sports Mecca, there are plenty sports stores where you can get your hands on some of the top mountaineering brands such as The North Face, Black Diamond, Salomon and Burton to name a few.
Sales
If you're planning on shopping during the sales to pick up a discounted Gore-Tex jacket or designer handbag, you need to plan your visit to a very specific time of year. Unlike the UK when it appears that shops have almost permanent sales on, sale or “solde” time in France is strictly regulated by department and shop owners are not allowed to discount their products at any other time. End of the line (“Fin de serie”) and “Promo” is acceptable, but the real bargains are to be found at the specifically designated sale times, when you can get your hands on all the big brands for 40-70% less than the normal retail price.
Shop opening times
Opening hours vary to the UK with many shops and all service providers (banks, post office etc) closing for lunch.
You'll also find that banks are closed on Mondays, although they are open for business on Saturday morning to compensate. Most of the shops open around 09:00-10:00 and then close from 12.30 until 14:00 or 15:00 for lunch, re-opening again until 19:00 or 19:30, which allows you to browse the shops of an evening or on your way to dinner.
