Factory shops and outlets
For the dedicated shopper looking for a wider range of items here are a few very worthwhile suggestions for factory outlets and factory shops in northern France.
A change is as good as a rest they say. And we all know it to be true, especially if we travel abroad. That’s why going across to northern France – or even a little further – can turn shopping drudgery into an inspired shopping break. So, whether you’re buying gifts or looking for tableware and clothing for yourself, why not drive over to a factory shop or two in northern France? Having the car means you can buy as much as you wish – and that includes heavy or bulky stuff!
The shopping centres on the outskirts of France’s towns and cities offer, of course, great shopping (and free parking). So don’t forget to check out Dunkirk’s Auchan either on your way back or on your way to the factory shops.
A household name in Britain as well as France for tableware, cookware and gifts. The French have a very evocative word for tableware – “art de la table” – and it’s seldom more appropriate than at Cristal d’Arques who also produce the well established and much sought after brands such as Luminarc, Arcoroc, Pyrex (under license), Salviati (very posh) and Studionova. The shop at Arques sells all the brands they manufacture, and you can get excellent prices for seconds and ends of lines. You can actually also visit the factory, but it is best to book a tour a couple of days in advance – tel: +33 (0)3 21 12 74 74; tours are scheduled four times a day – 9.30am, 11am, 2pm and 3.30pm. More about Cristal d’Arques.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 43 minutes
Usine Cristal d’Arques
Verrerie Cristallerie d’Arques
Zone Industrielle (ZI)
Route Nationale (RN) 43
62510 Arques
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 95 46 96 (shop)
Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10am to 6.30pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Le Creuset must surely be one of the world’s most famous brands of cookware – the top quality enamelled cast-iron cookware that’s the hallmark of the true cook. Le Creuset cookware always seems to last for decades and improve with use. Le Creuset has been making cast iron pots and pans in northern France since 1925, with each pot hand-cast from a single mould. Factory visits are no longer available, but that should not stop you going to their factory shop where prices are very tempting indeed. Visit Le Creuset.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 2 hours
Le Creuset
880 Rue Olivier Deguise
02230 Fresnoy-Le-Grand (near Saint-Quentin)
Tel: +33 (0)3 23 06 22 45.
Opening times: Tues-Sat from 10am to 12.30pm & 2.15pm to 6.30pm
If it’s brand names you’re after, you’ve found paradise. A clothing paradise. Just for you … or for whoever else also needs a little spoiling or fancies a designer label. The Roubaix branch (an hour from Dunkirk) has 64 boutiques selling 130 top brand names, whatever the time of year. The stock is mainly previous years collections sold at a discount. There’s Christian Lacroix, Nina Ricci, Cerruti, and Petit Bateau. There’s Adidas, Nike and Reebok. Also Lee Cooper, Calvin Klein, Sonia Rykiel, Pierre Cardin, Balmain, Weil and Lacoste. Just to name one tenth of what there is! More on McArthur Glen (in French).
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 1 hour
McArthur Glen (Roubaix)
44 Mail de Lannoy
59100 Roubaix
Tel: +33 (0)3 28 33 36 10
Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10am to 7pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
There’s a much larger branch of McArthur Glen (100 boutiques selling 210 top brand names including Burberry and Kenzo) just to the north of Troyes, the former capital of Champagne. Troyes boasts having the largest number of half-timbered houses in all Europe. The city centre is stunningly beautiful and atmospheric, with a magnificent cathedral and stained-glass windows. Troyes has also become over the past few years a renowned shopping centre. It’s an ideal place for a delightful short break – with shopping and a glass or two of bubbly to keep the spirits up! Visit McArthur Glen and visit Troyes.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 3hours 45mins
McArthur Glen (Troyes)
Voie du Bois
10150 Pont-Sainte-Marie
Tel: +33 (0)3 25 70 47 10
Opening times: Monday-Friday from 10am to 7 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
The industrial town of Roubaix in northern France has always been famous for its textiles. In 1984 a historic textile factory in the town was converted into a shopping centre housing 25 factory outlets. Such has been its success that there are now 85 outlets selling men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, lingerie, sportswear, household linen, shoes, luggage, furniture and more… Over 200 brands are sold – including Adidas, Aigle, Agnès b, Descamps (household linen), Diesel, Dim, Designers Guild, Kenzo, Levis, Nike, O’Neill, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Tissot, Umbro,….. Shoppers come from all corners of France and spread the word. Usine Roubaix (literally the Roubaix factory) is Europe’s premier factory outlets centre. There’s ample parking on site. More on Usine Roubaix (in French).
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 1 hour
L’Usine Roubaix
228 AvenueAlfred Motte
59100 ROUBAIX
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 83 16 20
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Discount shopping with a very Gallic flavour in northern France and very much in keeping with the latest shopping trends. It’s price that counts at Marques Avenue. The range of boutiques/factory outlets covers men’s, children’s and women’s fashions; lingerie; sportswear; shoes; luggage; household linen and small kitchen appliances. The closest branch to Dunkirk is 20 minutes drive away at Coquelles. And there’s a branch too on the outskirts of the beautiful little city of Troyes in Champagne. Just perfect for a shopping spree or shopping break. Visit Marques Avenue. Visit Troyes .
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk to Coquelles: 22 minutes
Marques Avenue
Boulevard du Parc
62231 Coquelles
Tel: +33 (0)3 21 17 07 70
Opening times: Monday-Saturday 10am to 7pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk to Troyes: 3hours 45mins
Marques Avenue
114 Boulevard de Dijon
10800 St Julien les Villas (on the outskirts of Troyes)
Tel: +33 (0)3 25 82 80 80
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm; Saturday: 9.30am to 7pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
We’re no longer actually in France but now in Germany’s Saarland, just over the France and Luxembourg borders. It’s a bit further than the factory outlets we’ve been mentioning in northern France, but then the brand is so famous – and so desirable – we thought you might still be interested in a visit to the factory outlet in the beautiful little town of Mettlach. The outlet is open all the year round, with attractive offers on their range of items – porcelain, glass, crystal, cutlery, gifts and accessories. The company was founded in 1748 by François Boch in the Duchy of Lorraine, and is today one of the world’s most famous international quality brands. Visit Villeroy & Boch.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: just over 4 hours
Villeroy & Boch
Mettlach Outlet Center
4-6 Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße
D-66693 Mettlach
Tel: +49 (0) 68 64 20 31
Opening times: Monday-Friday from 9.30am to 7pm; Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. Closed Sundays.
If you plan or need to stay the night close to Mettlach, visit Mettlach Tourism
If you cannot make it as far as Mettlach, you can still buy at the Villeroy & Boch factory outlet in northern France – actually in the charming town of Troyes in Champagne. Prices here are an average 30% cheaper than at high street retailers.
Journey time from the port of Dunkirk: 3hours 45mins
Villeroy & Boch
230 Faubourg Croncels
10000 Troyes
Tel: +33 (0)3 25 82 42 20.
Open Mon-Friday from 10am to 7pm; on Saturdays from 9.30am to 7pm. Closed Sundays.