What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Paris to Score A Birkin or Kelly?

Dear PurseBop:

If I were to travel to Paris with the hopes of scoring a Birkin or Kelly, which months of the year are least crowded with tourists, not having fashion week crowds, but still have inventory. Also do you happen to know when in the month they restock bags?

Dear Paris Traveler:

Paris is one of the most popular and magical places to travel practically any time of the year. The summer months tend to get many tourists particularly from the US. The holidays in December are also a popular time of year to visit Paris because it is even more beautiful with all the holiday lights and festivities. Mid-July to August is when the French take their holiday as well as many of the Hermès artisans and Sales Associates.

Fashion week normally occurs in Paris six times a year. The 2025 dates are as follows:

January 21-26, 2025 – Men’s Ready to Wear

January 27-30, 2025 – Haute Couture

March 3-11, 2025 – Women’s Ready to Wear

June 24-29, 2025 – Men’s Ready to Wear

July 7-10, 2025 – Haute Couture

September 29 – October 7, 2023 – Women’s Ready to Wear

Hermès inventory is stocked as it becomes available. We have no information when inventory is more plentiful than other times of the month or year. Since the Pandemic and the multiple shutdowns, inventory has been impacted. Hermès stock is notoriously less than the demand. Shipment allocations and restock dates are a mystery as well. Even the Sales Associates are not often aware when the next shipment will arrive. Several community members have shared that their Sale Associate in Paris informed them that shopping at the end of the month is not as favorable as at the beginning of the month.

Our best advice is to plan a trip to Paris when it suits your schedule. Apply online for a leather appointment every day you are in Paris or try to obtain a walk-in appointment in person. Shop, see all of Paris, enjoy the food, the ambiance, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, the parks, the Seine, the Louvre Museum, and all the amazing things Paris has to offer. Definitely try to get a leather appointment to request a Birkin or Kelly. But most importantly, enjoy Paris and don’t let the pursuit of a quota bag control your trip.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Read:

A Sobering View of Paris Shopping for Hermès, Chanel and More

My Hermès FSH Reveal and Paris Appointment Experiences