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Non-EU visitors shopping in Lyon can claim up to 20% VAT back on purchases over €100.01, validated at PABLO self-service kiosks in Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport before boarding their non-EU flight.
Lyon is France's second luxury-shopping hub after Paris, anchored by the Presqu'île district between the Rhône and Saône rivers. Rue du Président Édouard Herriot houses Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Cartier boutiques, while Rue de la République handles mainstream brands and Galeries Lafayette sits inside the vast Westfield La Part-Dieu shopping centre.
See the full France VAT refund guide for eligible items and refund-location details.
| Airport | Terminals | Validation system | Hours | From city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LYS · Lyon-Saint Exupéry | 1, 2 | PABLO | Operates during airport opening hours | 25km east (Rhônexpress tram, 30 min) |
Pedestrianised heart of Lyon shopping: Rue de la République (mainstream), Rue du Président Édouard Herriot (luxury), Rue Émile Zola
Westfield La Part-Dieu, one of the largest urban shopping centres in France, with Galeries Lafayette, FNAC, Sephora, and 250-plus stores under one roof
Westfield La Confluence riverside mall with H&M, Zara, COS, plus weekend markets at the converted docks
Renaissance old town with smaller boutiques, silk scarves (a Lyon specialty), and traditional bouchon merchandise
Lyon's luxury spine: Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Cartier, Longchamp, Lacoste
Pedestrianised mainstream high street running from Place Bellecour to Place des Terreaux: Sephora, FNAC, Galeries Lafayette historic store
Independent boutiques and contemporary French labels including Sézane and Claudie Pierlot
Restaurant-lined street with smaller designer and concept-store offshoots
Antique dealers and high-end interiors south of Place Bellecour
Most Presqu'île boutiques close on Sundays except in December; plan luxury runs Tuesday through Saturday
Galeries Lafayette has two Lyon locations (Rue de la République and Westfield La Part-Dieu): both consolidate multi-brand purchases onto a single tax-free form
Bring all the day's receipts to the same store's tax-free desk to combine into one €100.01-qualifying form
If your itinerary connects through Paris CDG before leaving the EU, validate at CDG (the last EU airport), not Lyon
Rhônexpress to Lyon-Saint Exupéry takes about 30 minutes from Part-Dieu station; allow extra buffer to use PABLO before bag drop
Silk scarves from Lyon ateliers (a regional specialty) are eligible for VAT refund the same as luxury goods
PABLO self-service kiosks at Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport (LYS), in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 departure areas. Scan each tax-free form's barcode before bag drop. A green check validates the form; a red cross sends you to the customs counter for manual review.
€100.01 per invoice from a single retailer on the same day, the same France-wide rule. Multiple receipts at the same store can be combined onto one tax-free form. Galeries Lafayette and large department stores can consolidate purchases across concessions.
No. Geneva is in Switzerland, not the EU, so the export crossing happens at the French border. If you drive from Lyon to Geneva, validate at the French customs post at the border. If you fly Lyon to Geneva, validate at PABLO at LYS before boarding.
Validate at the last EU airport before leaving the union, which would be Paris CDG, not Lyon. Keep your tax-free forms accessible in carry-on, since checked bags must clear at the final EU exit point.
Yes. Galeries Lafayette at both Lyon locations has a dedicated détaxe desk that prepares your tax-free form across multi-brand purchases. You still need to validate at PABLO at LYS before flying out.
Claim up to 20% VAT back on Bordeaux purchases over €100.01. Validate at PABLO kiosks at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport before departing the EU.
MarseilleClaim up to 20% VAT back on Marseille purchases over €100.01. Validate at PABLO self-service kiosks at Marseille Provence Airport before departing the EU.
ParisClaim up to 20% VAT back on Paris purchases over €100.01. Validate at PABLO self-service kiosks at CDG, Orly, or Gare du Nord before departure.
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