Emmanuelle sexshop

A love shop that has outlasted every trend

Emmanuelle is something of an institution of the genre in Tarbes. The shop has been around for several years and has kept its original spirit: that of a neighborhood love shop, with no flashy window display or aggressive pink neon.

It recently changed address within the same avenue Bertrand Barère, moving from number 3 to number 5. The new facade doesn't have a pavement right in front of it, a detail that matters when you're looking for the entrance for the first time.

A female owner runs the place, and that continuity comes through in the way the shop has held its own against online competition without ever trying to reinvent itself in neon.

What's on the shelves

This is a classic shop of its kind: fine lingerie, erotic accessories and small items to spice up an evening for two. Nothing extravagant, but the essentials are there for anyone browsing without quite knowing what they're after.

Purchases leave discreetly wrapped, a point appreciated by a clientele who sometimes come for years and don't necessarily want to walk out with a branded bag.

Hours and access

The shop is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 12pm then 2pm to 6pm. No weekend opening, so it's better to plan your visit during the week, over a lunch break or at the end of the day.

It's located at 5 avenue Bertrand Barère, in Tarbes, in a residential area rather than right in the shopping center.

What regulars say

Feedback on Emmanuelle is mixed. Some praise the old school atmosphere, almost familiar, and the pleasure of finding a shop that hasn't given in to the standardization of big erotic chains.

Others point to a sometimes cool welcome and prices they find a bit high for what's on the shelves. The place seems to suit best those who come with the idea of a neighborhood shop rather than a bright, interactive new generation store.

Those who appreciate discretion and the traditional feel of the neighborhood sex shop will find what they're looking for here, others will probably prefer to seek out a more recent address.