Paris has no shortage of pharmacies. What changes is the stock, the pricing and the quality of the advice. Citypharma is the obvious name, but it is not always the right choice. These are the five to keep.

1.

Citypharma

26 Rue du Four, 6th Arrondissement

Best for: Price

Citypharma remains the place for a serious restock. La Roche-Posay, Avène, Bioderma and Nuxe are here in depth, usually at prices that make sense when buying several products at once. It gets busy, so arrive knowing what you want.

Buy: SPF, Cicaplast, cleansers and anything you use enough to buy twice.

2.

Pharmacie Monge

1 Place Monge, 5th Arrondissement

Best for: Advice

Monge moves beyond the obvious names with Ducray, SVR, La Rosée and less familiar French lines. Its advantage is the staff, especially if you are still deciding rather than arriving with a finished list.

Buy: Whatever the pharmacist recommends after you explain what you are actually trying to treat.

3.

Grande Pharmacie du Forum

1 Rue Pierre Lescot, Forum des Halles, 1st Arrondissement

Best for: Range

One of the largest pharmacies in Paris, with an unusually broad selection spanning skincare, haircare, supplements, baby care and orthopaedics. Avène and Bioderma are only the beginning. This is where to look for a specific product, an unusual size or something two other shops have failed to produce.

Buy: The thing you have been unable to find elsewhere.

4.

Pharmacie Cotinat

151 Rue de Grenelle, 7th Arrondissement

Best for: Discovery

Cotinat is the most interesting shop on this list. A proper herboristerie sits within a selection that runs from CeraVe and La Roche-Posay to Christophe Robin, Plisson, Grown Alchemist and smaller plant-based brands.

Buy: Something you did not know you wanted.

5.

Pharmacie Vendôme

8 Rue des Capucines, 2nd Arrondissement

Best for: Opéra

Formerly Pharmacie des Capucines, this is the useful stop around Opéra and Place Vendôme. Filorga, Lierac, Nuxe and Caudalie broaden the beauty shelves, while phytotherapy and aromatherapy give it more range than the location alone would suggest.

Buy: Filorga or Lierac when the usual dermocosmetics feel too familiar.