YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT IN PARIS
WHETHER BUYING, SELLING OR RENTING
WHETHER BUYING, SELLING OR RENTING
Further to our recent article on the Marché aux Puces, the sprawling antiques market in the north of Paris, here we bring you the low-down on each section. So whether it’s a sunburst mirror, an… Read more
Unlike many countries, the sales in France are state-regulated and only run twice a year. The good news about this is that there are genuine bargains to be snapped up! With that in mind, here… Read more
One of the largest flea markets in the world, the Marché aux Puces, in the northern suburb of Saint-Ouen, is the perfect place to seek out everything from vintage clothing and old vinyl to antique… Read more
One of the best foodie streets in Paris, the rue des Martyrs has become a must-visit destination for those in search of the finest French fare. Here, long-time local resident Caroline Harrap picks out five… Read more
There’s a surprising number of English-language bookshops in Paris that are just as enchanting as their French counterparts – and perfect for when you’re through with the passé simple… Words: Caroline Harrap Image: Alexandre Duret-Lutz… Read more
Words: Jill Pope Image: Alain Bachellier While most shops in Paris tend to be closed on a Sunday, a visit to a market is the perfect way to get your retail fix at the same… Read more
Words: Jill Pope The official Paris markets website states that the Raspail bio market is the “most chic in Paris”, and who are we to argue with them? This market has a slightly less chic… Read more
Words: Jill Pope Image: Timothy Mason Batignolles in the 17th arrondissement used to sit outside the Paris city limits and the neighbourhood has retained the village-like lifestyle with cute boutiques, leafy streets and a local… Read more
Words: Jill Pope Perhaps it’s not technically a market, but the pedestrian thoroughfare near Villiers metro situated amongst the subdued chic of the 17th arrondissement definitely has a village feel. Weave amongst young families, nannies… Read more
Words: Jill Pope Image: Karen For anyone with a major stationery fetish, if you haven’t already discovered it, Mélodies Graphiques may be your new mecca. This shop was a like a chimera for me –… Read more
Words: Jill Pope With Emile Zola’s ‘belly of Paris’, Les Halles, reduced to a grim, labyrinthine shopping complex and a hunk of land permanently ‘under construction’, Parisians were in need of another market standard. Thus… Read more
Words: Omid Tavallai Image: Roberto Baibich In Paris, food is fashion. And just as fashion has its trends and fads, so does food. In January of this year, influential food critic François Simon (after whom… Read more
Text: Brendan Seibel Image: Dale Calder Today it’s hard to imagine Les Halles as anything other than an architectural disgrace. Centuries ago it was the “Belly of Paris”, but now teems with a distinctly different… Read more
Words: Omid Tavallai The story has almost become a cliché in what’s hot and exciting in Paris: A young upstart with no formal training. Someone who bailed on a corporate career to pursue an unrelated… Read more
Text: Anne S. Ditmeyer & Natalie Turturro Whether you want to make some art or just like window-shopping for supplies – here’s some of Paris best options to help get those creative juices flowing. Lavrut… Read more
Text: Anne Ditmeyer Image: Nordik Market Inspired by his travels and friends Guillaume Deroy made his long time dream a reality when he opened Nordik Market, a concept shop devoted to Scandinavian design. Coming from… Read more
Text: Anne Ditmeyer Image: Le Rocketship Part design boutique, part coffee bar, the location is prime in the 9th arrondissement, around the corner from Hotel Amour, a block from rue des Martyrs, and just a… Read more
Words: Richard Price Image: Patrick Janicek There are times when you want to express your individuality and creativity. And then there are times when you just want to blend into the wallpaper. BHV Homme… Read more
Text: Aran Cravey Image: Yoon Viak Studio Beyond the basic plate/bowl/cup trio of everyday tableware, I’m a mere Simpleton when it comes to the subject of ceramics. The finer points of teapots and terrines are… Read more
Text: Aran Cravey Image: Jennifer Vinopal The airy, tri-level store on Rue de Sèvres in the 6th arrondissement was originally created to house the swimming pool for the Hotel Lutetia during its grand dame era… Read more
Words and images: Omid Tavallai Walking past the trendy boutiques of Rue Tiquetonne, you’re likely to see some storefronts that will grab your attention: Freakish mannequins dressed up in cleverly arranged runway hand-me-downs, hipster vintage… Read more
Text: Carly DeFilippo Image: Kevin Walsh If E. Dehillerin is not the most practical place to shop for kitchen equipment in Paris, it’s certainly the most nostalgic. The vintage, forest-green storefront spans the corner of… Read more
Text: Nick Forrester Image: Katte Bellatje Le Verre Volé, on Rue de Lancry, has a rustic French charm, which belies its relative youth. One of the pioneers of the ‘neo bistrot’ scence which swept Paris in… Read more
Words: Richard Price Image: Stéphanie Moisan If you are a true food-lover, upon entering la Grande Epicerie de Paris, it feels as if your head might explode at any moment. They have so much and… Read more
Text: Boris Petrovic Image: Lee McCoy Pralus is one of the three producers in France to go ‘from bean to bar’; he uses nothing but noble ingredients, only pure chocolate butter, no preservatives, E’ numbers… Read more
Text: Boris Petrovic Image: Robyn Lee Like all fine chocolate artisans serious about their craft, Michel Cluizel has his own series of ‘Premier cru’ tablets, meaning that these chocolates come from a single cocoa bean… Read more
Text: Joel Ma In the 21st century everyone knows at least one graphic designer. They usually have a keen eye for visual metaphor, impeccable personal hygiene and may or may not wear slim rectangular,… Read more
Text: Philippa Brangam Image: Wally Gobetz Henry Miller aptly described Shakespeare & Co as a wonderland of books. On stepping through the door out of the hustle and bustle of the busy Latin Quarter it is… Read more
Image: CD Fr The perennial darling of stylists and the fashion crowd, Merci is as good for browsing as actually buying. The 1000m2 multi-level loft comprises a literary café, a florist, a combination of furniture… Read more
Herboristerie de la Place de Clichy has one of Paris’ most beautiful shop facades. The wooden interior from the 19th century will take you back in time and houses 900 different types of plants to… Read more
Text: Will Hutchins If you’ve failed in your bid to find that Senegalese 1969-1972 funk rarities compilation you’ve been searching for in your local Fnac, then you’ll have better luck at Ground Zero – formely tucked… Read more
Style and substance is in abundance at this Haut-Marais book store, gallery and general epicentre of good taste. With an amazingly curated choice of art, fashion and design books, as well as a small selection… Read more
A normal looking pharmacie on the albeit chi-chi rue Jacob. Behind these doors a wealth of the normal fun things you find in a french chemist/drugstore, but there’s more. Mme (Annie) Zagorski, the owner, is… Read more
What do our fellow Parisians think about our city’s oldest market* ? The hedge fund controller says: “First we can find you. Second you’re multicultural.” The graphic designer says: “The italian shop /… Read more
Image: Flickr Looking for a Paris souvenir that has it all, then head over to Fragonard. Founded in 1926 in Grasse, France’s perfume capital, the shop sells loads of fabulously chic yet reasonably priced items:… Read more
Image: Susie Hollands Hark back to a time when your favourite films were not accessible at the click of a button. JM Video has survived (so far!) the internet age and is one of the oldest video… Read more
Text: Ana Lee Luxury depot vente (second hand shop) in the 17th above Parc Monceau. Here you’ll find last season’s Chloe bags, Dior ties (at 40 euros), and exceptional vintage Chanel jewelry. Used designer clothing… Read more
Shoe designer Pierre Hardy has achieved something incredible, his shoes are sexy and comfortable, the mark of a genius! This former accessories designer for Hermès has a sense of the elegant without being stuffy and… Read more
Image: Flickr Undoubtedly one of Paris’ most famous pâtissiers – the macarons are the most celebrated offering but the whole selection and presentation is delicious. Constantly updating his flavours means there is real innovation. Some… Read more
Image: Jan Marlyn Reeseman Jackie O, Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn were Porthault addicts. If you enjoy getting up close and personal with high thread count bedsheets follow in their kitten heeled footsteps down… Read more
A Marais go-to, this bar is famously the place where Catherine Millet’s “La Vie Sexuelle de Catherine M” was launched. Combining books (it’s also a librairie) and wine is a classic French combination, plus there… Read more
Stroll into the wonderful Palais Royal, a few steps from the Louvre but quite off the tourist beat; in the Galerie de Valvois running down one side is Les Salons du Palais Royal. Here you… Read more
Calligrane is devoted to beautifully manufactured writing implements and paper, but you can also find briefcase and desk essentials as well as special papers from far-away lands and notebooks covered in ostrich skin. Calligrane 4-6… Read more
Image: Robyn Lee This famous company carries exclusive teas with great packaging and a huge range of flavours. Try Thé du Nil or “Marco Polo” (mélange parfumé fruité). Not only is it a fantastic place… Read more
Paris’ erotic bookstore is just the thing if you feel like some titillation. It’s all here: essays, novels, bande dessinée (French comic strips) and nude and erotic photography, (both gay and straight versions). La Musardine… Read more
A menu of dishes based on the shop’s Spanish hams, cheeses and premium canned goods. Not only does it sell little treats (try the madeleines), but it is also an upscale tapas bar. The main… Read more
Simon-Pierre Rosset-Gaulejac carrries on the family tradition of fine jewelery. His claim to fame – engraving clients’ fingerprints or handwriting on gold necklaces, bracelets, pendants and charms. Rousset-Gaulejac Joaillier 23 Rue Jacob, 6th Ph. 01… Read more
This legendary shop has been crafting signet rings and official decorations since 1803. One of creations is “Lune de Miel”, a gold disk that can been worn as a bracelet, necklace, pendant or ring. He… Read more
A cute Baba-Cool (French for “hippie”) brand from the 70s when their shop began life in Les Halles – it has now evolved, (like those Baba-Cool people) to the chi-chi environs of St-Germain-des-Prés. “Upla”… Read more
There is a great selection of hard-to-find art books and the best place for anything on “arts premiers” – ancient and indigenous art from around the world. Librarie Fischbacher 33 Rue de Seine, 6th Ph.… Read more
Possibly the only Parisian bookstore dedicated exclusive to female homosexuality in all its forms – gay, lesbian and trans. Their tagline is “the bookshop for girls and tomboys” and they stock magazines, novels, reference books,… Read more
Fauchon is one of the best shops to browse for jams, mustards, fine teas and other gourmet treats. They also have a great cave à vins with helpful staff, a bakery, and a salon de the/restaurant.… Read more
After his original flagship store opened on the Champs Elysées in 1982, Armand Hadida has created quite a fashion empire around Paris. Now you can find a varied ‘en point’ collection of international designers all around… Read more
Tiny (about 30m²) bookstore packed to the rafters with the most amazing selection of rare treasures: comics, magazines, erotic literature and graphic novels – and all this a stone’s throw from the hordes at St… Read more
Image: Stephen Coles Diptyque was created in 1961 by three friends who were linked by their love of fine arts and fine décor; Desmond Knox-Leet, Christiana Gautrot and Yves Coueslant. Their now legendary boutique on… Read more
Image: Alain Roy In what was formerly the gay heartland of le Marais (and still is in some ways), this bookshop is dedicated to all things queer, with an emphasis on male homosexuality. A homey… Read more
Goyard, THE place for travel bags, older than LV, rarer and more desirable. You can’t get much higher than this when it comes to class: try a suitcase that unfolds into a food and water… Read more
Patrick Roger flavours his ganaches with lime, basil, jasmin, quince and Szechuan pepper corns – amongst other things. A mix of classic and innovative, there is something for all tastes here. He also creates chocolate… Read more
The Suisse Cultural Center (Centre Culturel Suisse) is one of the best central locations (in the heart of the Marais) to see unique contemporary art exhibitions. Featuring artists working in forms such as installation, sculpture,… Read more
Text: Carly DeFilippo If your cooking seems a bit bland, spice it up with some of the best herbs and spices. There are several shops that can supply you with all of the zesty flavors… Read more
You’re unlikely to bump into someone with the same scent while you’re shopping here. Created and conceptualized by father and daughter Francis and Olivia Giacobetti, IUNX carries a wide variety of high range, exotic as… Read more
The Palais de Tokyo’s unique book store carries catalogues of the museum’s current exhibitions, artists’ DVDs, coffee-table books, gifts and cards, novels, the latest theoretical opus on contemporary art, and the art, design, lifestyle and… Read more
A specialist bookstore like only Paris knows how to do – this one stocks an impressive array of volumes relating to the theatre, opera, dance, music, mime and cinema. For those interested in the performing arts,… Read more
One of Paris’ top chocolatiers, JP Hevin’s signature store on the rue Saint Honoré, also has a sophisticated Salon de Thé, which is great for a lunch entre copînes, it’s not too expensive. With additional boutiques… Read more
This bookshop is dedicated to contemporary art, architecture and design and you’ll find over 14,000 titles, from France and abroad. They also have a great programme of events, run a small magazine and manage a… Read more
In this tiny shop you can buy sexy underwear, high-priced one-off items by trendy French designers and glam-trash jewelry by London duo Tatty-Devine. More of an NYC or London vibe than Paris. Madame André’s husband Monsieur… Read more
Self confessed sybarite, Frédéric Malle is the son of the creator of Dior perfumes. He grew up appreciating the good things in life and is now one of the ‘new generation’ of master perfumiers,… Read more
A small concept store on La Butte Montmartre, Spree stocks APC, Isabelle Marant, Cacharel and Commes des Garçons. Nice selection. Good accessories – bags, shoes, belts and jewellery. 16, rue la Vieuville, 18th Ph. 01 42… Read more
French lingerie with a twist, Chantal Thomass‘ lingerie is hip and seductive with intricate and unique designs. Each piece of lingerie has its own personality. If you’re looking for something to match your corset and… Read more
You have a passion for shoes and handbags. What, really? Well you’re not the only one in this town. MODA is a clandestine chausseure operation. The exterior windows are stacked high with shoe boxes; the owner… Read more
A gallery and bookshop dedicated to the documentation of the artistic pursuit. Besides the programme of exhibitions, you’ll find a treasure trove of books and videos from an extensive collection of French and foreign artists.… Read more
Image: Erotokritos Greek-Cypriot designer Erotokritos makes some of the best clothes in Paris. After capturing the Paris Trentaine style he launched a men’s label. Erotokritos studied fine art and textile design in San Francisco and… Read more
This is a type of French garage sale (or car boot/jumble sale if you’re British)– the phrase vide grenier means”attic clearance”. Read more
The place to have your hat made in Paris. Estelle Ramousse has worked for years in the theatre and has an artist’s eye for the suave and sophisticated, the colourful and eccentric. From a traditional… Read more
If you are looking for the ultimate coffee table book, you’ll probably find it here. Along with other sybaritic treats like leather bound suitcases containing bound Assouline editions and one-off jewelry and furnishings. Assouline 35… Read more
Image: Jori Avlis Flea markets are a Paris institution. The love of antiques and vintage items – not to mention the treasure trove that some people with family heirlooms are sitting on – make these… Read more
Heels get ruined here in Paris in no time. Robert Clergerie’s chunky yet elegant collection should help – shops on Rue Cherche-Midi or Rue Grenelle (6eme) and Le Bon Marché (7eme) plus the main department… Read more
