Spring in Paris
After spending time in Milan at Salone del Mobile this past spring, my next stop was Paris.
One of the best things about Paris is that it’s a “one stop shop” city. There’s fantastic fashion at all price points, great home stores, and amazing vintage.
Here are a few of my Paris favs:
Department Stores
For department stores, you can’t beat Les Grand Magasins: Galleries Layfayette, Le Bon Marche, and Printemps. Each has a different representation of quintessential luxury brands and new up-and-comers. What I really enjoy are their visual merchandising skills - the interior and exterior display windows are artworks in and of themselves.
Specialty Stores
Merci for all things home. They have a great year-round assortment of essentials from bedding and bath linen to tableware and glassware, to furniture and lighting. In the center store, they have delightful seasonal assortments and upstairs a great clothing, shoe, and accessory selection. Their curation is incredibly on-point and I’ve never left empty handed.
Empreintes for all things artwork and decorative accessories. Started in 2016 as a concept store for crafts, it now boasts over 1,000 unique objects fashioned in small series by local French artisans. They represent varied artistic approaches, so there’s always something and someone new to discover.
Citadium to get the latest brands coming out of sneaker culture. I also love it for the experience and people watching. There’s food, candy, DJs with amazing skills and young people having so much fun.
Vintage Finds
For vintage, nothing beats the Paris Flea Market. Known as "Les Puces de Saint-Ouen," it’s a world-renowned and expansive market located in the northern suburbs of Paris. With its origins dating back to the 19th century, the market has evolved into a hub of antique treasures, vintage goods, and unique finds. Divided into 15 different markets, visitors can explore a wide range of items including furniture, home decor, clothing, jewelry, books, records, and more.
Beyond just the shopping experience, the market immerses you into the town through narrow streets, charming cafes, antique shops, and restaurants that make the destination worth dedicating a day toward.
Pro-tips:
Hire a guide! The market can be overwhelming, but guides are well versed and can point you in the right direction quickly to help you fulfill your shopping list. They are also invaluable for negotiating, translating, and helping with export shipping. I use Patrice and he is fantastic. He is a native Parisian with a background as an antiques dealer. When stateside, he lived in Alabama, so we bonded around all things Birmingham (#bham)
Have a shopping list of what you’re looking for, along with dimensions and a tape measure.
For higher end home goods, I like the markets of Paul Bert, Jules Valle, and Serpetta.
Most vendors accept credit cards, but I would bring two different CC providers with you in case one isn’t accepted or is having an electronic issue. Cash comes in handy for the possibility of deeper discounts or for those vendors who don’t accept CC. There are ATMs in the markets.
It is an indoor and outdoor market, so be prepared for the elements, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water
Use an Uber or taxi to commute to and from the market and be aware of your surroundings.
Have fun, soak it in, and take notes of what you would do differently. Get business cards from the stalls you really liked so that you remember for next time or can recommend to your fellow designer / travel friends.
Paris has something for everyone, but if you’re specifically looking to shop, then Paris is absolutely the place to be. Regardless of budget, style or type of treasure seeking, I promise there’s a spot where you’ll find it. While I consider myself pretty well versed in the city’s retail game, this list is by no means extensive. If you’re looking for even more ideas for where to peruse, check out Conde Nast's top 18 shopping spots in Paris.
And stay tuned because this European vacation isn’t over yet. Next up: Antwerp!