Paris, with its vivid life, is a great city for window-shopping. Although you are not planning to buy anything, there are multiple shops with design products that would be inspiring. Here are several shops that I like to follow on socials and gives me good vibes in every visit.
A friendly reminder, don't forget to check the working hours as some of these stores takes Mondays off!
Sennelier
Sennelier Color's story started with a devoted chemist, Guastave Sennelier, in 1887. Mr. Sennelier established himself as the purveyor of the fine artists's paints in a shop that is facing the Louvre and steps away from Fine Arts Academy in Paris. Although, in time, the brand gained success and spread its stores all around Paris, the original shop is still intact and welcoming customers.
Sennelier, even for people who has nothing to do with painting or crafting, is a must see store in Paris. Its wood cupboards, shelves, brushes and pencils as well as the powdered colors are creating a magical ambiance in this two stored tiny shop. In every visit, I can't resist feeling as if I travel back in time. The powdered colors in large jars give me the vibes of a 19th century drug store while the width of the color palette is astonishing.
Address: 3 Quai Voltaire, 75007 Paris
Rougier & Plé
Rougier et Plé is probably the most visited shop by the art students. In contrast with Sennelier's custom production colors, here, you can find art materials of tens of different art supplies' brands.
Being a chain brand, the prices are more agreeable in Rougier & Plé with the discount of 10% for the Art Academy students. In this art heaven, you can find various sizes and qualities of paper, clay, ropes & needles for broidery, yarns, all types of colors, brushes, pencils, art books and more!
For sure, there are several Rougier et Plé shops in Paris however I would advice you to go and see the one in Odéon, Paris. Taking advantage of it, you can also have a walk in this nice neighborhood; enjoy the cafes, bars, movie theaters and workshops around.
Address: 108 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is one of the most known English-language bookstores in Paris. With its dark but cozy interior, it is a heaven for bookworms. The store is combination of two libraries; first one is specialized in antique books while the second one - most visited part - is where you can find canon pieces and recent novels.
The bookshop was founded by American George Whitman in 1951 at a building constructed in the early 17th century that was formerly a monastery. When the store first opened, it was called Le Mistral.
Today, the shop is still intact and it impresses its customers with its maze-like interior. You can look for your favorite writers on the ground floor of the bookshop as well as take a seat upstairs and flick through the pieces you fancy.
Moreover, you can subscribe their newsletter on their website and join the poetry events and the literature talks they organize! For decades, Shakespeare and Company has been a lovely meeting spot for anglophone writers and readers!
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
Lil Weasel
Straight forward my favorite shop in Paris! In such a beautiful passage in the heart of the city, Lil Weasel has the best quality yarn that you could possibly find. It consists two tiny shops facing each other. One in specialized more in textile and the other one more in yarns and broidery kits. There are endless color and texture options waiting for the customers. This shop saved my mental health during the confinements of the Covid-19 pandemic.
You definitely don't have to be obsessed with knitting to take a visit this shop. The passage itself is full with other tiny shops that are worth to see as well as the cafe and bars in that neighborhood of Paris.
On the other hand, it could be a chance for you to find something that might catch your attention here. There are numerous kits for starters that could give you the motivation to give it a try! Online shopping is also an option.
Address: 1-4 Pass. du Grand Cerf, 75002 Paris
L'Atelier de la Création
At L'Atelier de la Création, you can find variety of creative material and tools; from yarns to needles, from fabric to buttons. Compared to Lil Weasel, the prices are cheaper and more sustainable while the quality of the goods remain the high. If you are someone living in Paris full time and you are into knitting, broidery and needle craft, I recommend you to follow their newsletters where you can see monthly discounts.
Adress: 13 bis Rue des Plantes, 75014 Paris
Lush, Vegetarian & Cruelty Free Cosmetics
Lush is a fantastic brand that produces cruelty free cosmetics! All the soaps, creams, bath bombs and face masks have unique designs that melts my heart. Have you ever had a beautifully sculpted candle that you hesitate to light? All the products in Lush makes me want to display them at home for their beautiful design and lovely smell.
There is always a part of the shop that imitates a patisserie with its soaps that look like cupcakes and desserts! There is this long cake design that you could buy per grams and they would slice it for you.
On the other hand, customers are free to ask for testing the products on the spot. I would highly recommend you to try them and feel the texture any product that interests you.
Lush products are surely giving you a satisfactory experience through its beautifully carved design, soft texture and nice odour however, I recommend you to not hope to have a high performance with the effects of it. Keep in mind that it is not pharma-cosmetics brand or produced for the sake of dermatologic health. Lush is more for the satisfaction of the senses and well-being of the customers that promotes vegetarian and cruelty free production& consumption style.
Address: 18 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004 Paris
Keur Paris
As a person who is into broidery and petit point, I found Keur Paris on the discovery page of my my social media. With its highly minimalists designs, it reminds me that you don't have to put high expectations and limits to your creative process. Even a small touch on a casual white shirt, could become a chic piece in your wardrobe.
Even if you are not available to visit its shop in Paris, I would recommend you to have a look at its instagram page. Not only the products but also the presentation of the gift boxes and packaging are also super sweet and carefully thought.
Address: 21 rue de l’Hirondelle, Paris, France
Pylones
In the colorful world of Pylones, it is possible to find the gadgets you never thought that you would need one day. Every time I pass by a Pylones shop, the cheerfully designed products calls me to have a look at them. If you are looking for gifts for a fairly good price, here you have the chance to find it!
Here are key chains, tea pots, jogs, animal designed toothbrushes, cushions, coasters, backpacks, and so much more. It might be hard to find a gift that will remind you of Paris per se however, it is possible to find designs of your favorite TV shows, games and novel characters such as The Little Prince, Pokemon and Ghibli characters.
Address: 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
or 57 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004 Paris
Fragonard Parfumeur
Fragonard's specialities are perfumes, soaps, hand& face creams and textiles. It has a large collection of perfumes that are presented in well-designed mini boxes and cotton pouches. It could be a magnificent gift that will remind your lived ones of France.
In my gaze, their textiles are even fancier than their eau de toilette! You can find some custom design clothes as well as pillow cases - both for bedroom and living room - table cloths, cotton bags, travel kits and more. Their designs are simple yet colorful. Their perfume + soap kits and pretty pillow cases are highly recommended. You can have a look at this particular store after a sweet afternoon at Montmartre.
Address: 1 Bis Rue Tardieu, 75018 Paris
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