In recent years, the Strasbourg friperie (aka Strasbourg thrift store) scene has exploded.
When I first moved here (nearly six years ago at the time of this writing!), I quickly found my now-regular secondhand-store haunts: Le Leopard, Oxfam, and Le Grenier.
Now, I swear you could do a full-on walking tour of the friperies in Strasbourg. Moreover, I have happily taken up the mantle of exploring every nook and cranny of this city to report back on the secondhand shopping options.
Before diving in though, I think it’s worth discussing a key difference I’ve noticed between Strasbourg friperies and thrift stores in the US.
Differences I’ve observed in secondhand shops in Strasbourg (and France) and the US
In my experience, secondhand shopping is much different in France compared to the US. In the US, people shop secondhand for the deals. Here, it seems to be much more of an investment expressing a value related to. What this looks like in practice is people happily paying 35 euros (around 40 USD) for a secondhand shirt that they like. This, of course, would be unthinkable in the US for the average budget-conscious shopper.
I think that goes to the heart of the difference though: In France, shopping secondhand has evolved to become more of an identity statement; people who support thrift stores in Strasbourg (and throughout France) communicate a commitment to ethical clothing consumption.
In the US, purchasing secondhand is very often a financial decision
For better or worse, there is much more of a drive to find bargains in the US due to the greater tension between meeting financial needs and indulging in pleasurable purchases.
To sum up this difference most eloquently, I would note that in France, vintage tends to be used as a catch-all for secondhand. In contrast, in the US, we differentiate between “secondhand” and “vintage,” with the former simply meaning that you purchased something used, and the latter meaning that you’ve purchased something secondhand of value.
Bearing this difference in mind will be key when reviewing the following list of Strasbourg thrift stores because most of the places on this list will likely cause sticker shock to any American visitor.
Without further ado, let’s get into the guide!
Rehab Secondhand Shop
Neighborhood: La Krutenau
Known for: Edgy, retro, bright pieces
La Penderie
Neighborhood: Neudorf
Known for: Classic, cozy, understated pieces
IG: @_la_penderie
Poulet Fripes
Neighborhood: Austerlitz/Krutenau
Known for: TBD! This place just opened a couple of months ago, but the vibe is oversize, cozy, and colorful (so, I love it!)
IG: @poulet_fripes
Le Grenier
Neighborhood: La Krutenau
Known for: A big discount bin at the front when you walk in, well-loved pieces that may or may not fit perfectly when you try them on
Maison Claude
Neighborhood: Cathédrale
Known for: Being right next to Le Léopard, but only locals know it because it doesn’t come up on “friperie” searches of Strasbourg
IG: Instagram, @maisonclaude.shop
Friperie Le Léopard
Neighborhood: Cathédrale
Known for: Fresh yellow façade, repainted during the pandemic. (I’ll always prefer the spots, personally.)
Les Yeux Fermés
Neighborhood: Quai des Bateliers/Krutenau
Friperie Le Concept Strasbourg
Neighborhood: Multiple locations (see sign in lower-left of above photo)
IG:
Friperie l’Atelier Vintage
Neighborhood: Strasbourg Centre
IG: N/A
Friperie Vetis
Neighborhood: Esplanade
IG: N/A for the Strasbourg location, but they do have a main account. Vetis is a national organization formally dedicated to clothing for those who may be struggling to pay for basic needs, such as clothing.
Ciao Bella
Neighborhood: Gare
IG: @ciaobellafrip
Des Bayes de Dream
Neighborhood: Poincaré
IG: @desbayesdedream
Troc-Mode
Neighborhood: Strasbourg Centr, this is technically a “dépot-vente” meaning that if you have higher-end clothing to resell, you can do so here, too.
IG: @trocmode
Le Cabaret Du Chat
Neighborhood: Gare
IG: @lecabaretduchat.vintageshop
Fring-Shop
Neighborhood: Poincaré
IG: N/A
Bonus: Label Fripe
Neighborhood: Actually, this one isn’t in Strasbourg, but it’s worth the hike if you’re a bargain hunter! To get here,
IG: @labelfripe
If you’re looking to dive into the secondhand book scene next, check out this cute little English fantasy and fiction bookstore in Strasbourg!
Interesting and informative content
Thanks!