One of the first thrift stores I discovered in Strasbourg was Le Léopard. When I first came to this city, I didn’t consider myself a “thrifter” in the fashion sense so much as the budget sense. Ironically, the fast fashion brand Primark played a role in my more conscious approach to how I dress and where I purchase my clothes.
Note: This article was updated in January 2024.
In April 2020, a massive Primark opened near my then-home
Every day, there was an enormous line of masked-up people wrapped around the block to get in. And, in full transparency, I got in line one day, too. And, once I was inside, I couldn’t resist buying a couple of new turtlenecks and a pair of chunky house slippers. But then I went home and looked up how these low prices are possible, and the company’s abuse of its outsourced supplier workforce forced me to realize I really shouldn’t patronize the store.
Since then, the low prices and carousel of daily #OOTD mannequins don’t have the same effect on me.
Although I was committed to purchasing my clothes more carefully, the reality is that I have never been in a position to purchase new T-shirts made of recycled cotton for, like, $55 a pop
With greater awareness of my personal responsibility to purchase ethically, I became more attuned to the secondhand stores in Strasbourg. There are many and I’m working on a round-up of all the options, but today is about Friperie Le Leopard.
For French language learners, “friperie” means thrift store
TIP: #friperie is also an incredibly popular hashtag in France. If you’re looking to cast a wider Instagram net, throw in #friperie so the locals (les #strasbourgeois(e)s) can glimpse your latest secondhand find!
I first came across Leopard during a solo wander around the city in 2019
Today, the leopard spots are gone and the façcade is a simple yellow, but I think I’ll always prefer it with the spots.
Le Léopard is a boutique extension of Emmaus, the French equivalent of a Goodwill
At Le Léopard, the staff sorts and resells the name-brand or simply nicer items that come into their possession.
Founded in 1994, the thrift store employs 135 people. Strasbourg is one of seven locations throughout the Grand Est region. The other six are: Vendenheim, Colmar (Logelbach), Wittenheim, Andelnans, Audincourt et Morschwiller-Le-Bas.
On certain days of the week, there are discounts linked to certain-colored tickets. (Again, Americans who shop at Goodwill will recognize this initiative.)
How to “spot” the deal in Strasbourg (see what I did there?)
If you see the sign in the lower left of the front door, you can see part of a sign that reads “Les Lundis Crazy Day.”
The text in yellow says that every Monday, any purchases made on items priced €10 or more are 20% off. Also, a purchase of three items individually priced less than €10 euros will result in the cheapest of the three being free! (Note: this deal was seen in December 2020.)
Key information
Thrift store in Strasbourg: Friperie Le Léopard
Address: 8 Rue des Veaux, 67000 Strasbourg, France
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:45 pm; closed Sundays
Friperie Le Leopard also has an active Facebook page, Friperie Le Léopard, and Instagram, @friperieleleopard
Finally, there is an older (but still relevant) YouTube clip in French by StrasTV. In it, a local Strasbourgeois interviews employees and thrifters alike. It’s the perfect length for anyone wanting to work on their listening practice!
