Here Are Some of My Favorite Shops in Paris
Paris, the French capital, is the best city for beautiful department stores (like Galeries Lafayette), the best of luxury and high-end, and flagship stores for global brands and designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Christian Dior, but these are not my most favorite shops in Paris. And, these are not the stores you need help finding. While I love window shopping at these stores in the heart of the city, this is not why I shop in Paris.
Le Bon Marché is a must-stop. The customer service is exceptional, making your shopping experience for even something like a new lipstick so enjoyable. But it’s not these big stores full of shiny things that make my heart race. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite shops and a little information about each so that on your next trip to the fashion capital of the world, you’ll have a list of the ones you want to visit and maybe the ones you can skip.
I’m talking about a few hidden gems that may not be on your radar when you visit Paris but ones you wouldn’t want to miss. Shops that are mostly one-of-kind boutiques and full of inspiration. In this post, I’ll share my favorite shops and a little information about each so that on your next trip to Paris, you’ll have a list of the ones you want to visit and maybe the ones you can skip. Some are destinations and others are walk-through and browse.
Some of my favorite shops in Paris
E. Dehillerin
18 et 20 Rue Coquilliére
If you’ve ever watched Julie and Julia, E. Dehillerin is the shop where Julia Child walks through with her basket and fills it with whisks and other things. The shop is so old-fashioned, and it appears as though not much has changed over the last several decades. I’m sure it has a rich history. When you make a purchase, you pay for your order, and then your items are given to the wrapper, who wraps each piece in brown paper and tapes it together.
If you enjoy cooking or baking, this is a must-stop shop. The last thing we needed was another sauté pan, but my husband could not resist buying a small pan for sautéing shallots. I selected a whisk. I have three, but there’s one particular size I have been wanting, and of course, they had it!
They have everything from large copper pots to the smallest tart tins. Everything you could ever need for cooking or baking is in this store. The wooden shelves hold saute pans, pots, Apilco porcelain, bins with tips, tartlet pans, dishes, and more. There is no better place for kitchen supplies.
Each item has a sticker with a six-digit number. The way you find the price is to head to the front, and there are plastic coated sheets on the wall (like a menu holder), and each item is listed in numeric order. Find your number, and you’ve found your price.
Merci Paris in Le Marais (one of my most favorite shops)
111 Bd Beaumarchais
Merci is located in the Marais neighborhood, one of the best shopping areas. It’s a large store with three floors divided into different merchandise areas. I make sure to have plenty of shopping time at Merci each time I visit Paris—often, I’ll go several times. It’s a great place to find something we wouldn’t or couldn’t find somewhere else. Another bonus is that It’s in one of the best shopping districts, and we always find time to have lunch at their café.
The First Floor or Ground Floor
When you walk in from the street down a passageway, you first come to a courtyard large enough for a small car. You may recognize the store from this photo!
On the main level, there is a large area where they usually have some kind of collection on display. This time, it was called “Into the White.” They displayed special edition white chore coats, dishes in every shade of white, suede Birkenstock Boston clogs, and a little bit of everything.
There is also a men’s department that will take you back to the 1980s. They have clothes made by GANT—remember that brand? Carhart, Polo, and many other less familiar brands. We always find something. Last year, I bought my Taion unisex winter parka at Merci. We always find the best items at Merci!
They also have a section of women’s clothing and a wall of Merci tote bags. They seem to get more popular every year. They come in many colors; they add new colors all the time. I never need a new bag, but I get one every trip. You will see them all over Paris. Women in Paris often carry a tote bag and a crossbody bag.
Upstairs at Merci
Upstairs, you’ll find furniture and lighting. You will also find beautiful bedding and towels; they have inspiring tables with exquisite linens, dishes, glassware, and flowers from their garden. I can’t say for sure, but the floral arrangements do look like they are from a perennial garden, like the one they have that you can see through the window,
On the Lower Level
The lower level is primarily housewares and accessories. You’ll find practical homewares from beautiful linens to everyday glassware like Duralex. They have the French brand of flatware, Sabre, and sell each piece individually. So if you just want some dessert forks or coffee spoons, or maybe butter spreaders in a fun color, they have them. Or you can mix and match colors. Downstairs you will also find enamelware, baking dishes, coffee and tea pots, and some more lighting.
Merci Cafe
Outside of the courtyard on the street, Merci also has a great little cafe. Whenever we visit, we make sure to save time for a wonderful lunch.
AXS Design
12 Rue Saint Sabin
I discovered AXS on Instagram. It’s a beautiful shop, and when we spoke to the owner, we found out they had only opened their doors to the public three years ago. They were initially open only to designers. They started as interior and set designers. Now, they have this lovely shop filled with antique furniture, dishes, stoneware, flatware, silver, hooks, vases, ashtrays, paintings, and soap dishes, where you can find a treasure.
If you love flea markets but don’t have the time to search for what you want, go here. Everything is neatly displayed and organized, making shopping for antiques a joy.
AXS, like Merci, is through a courtyard, so you’ll see a small plaque on the wall when you visit. Walk through the passageway, which will open to a courtyard with stone planters, antique tables, chairs, and an umbrella, and you’ll know you’ve found the place!
La Droguerie
9-11 Rue du Jour
La Droguerie is a shop for knitters, crafters, or anyone who just wants some beautiful ribbons, buttons, or beads. It’s very old-fashioned, but I love the way they display everything. The beads are in jars marked with the price on each jar. There are rows of ribbons and cords. They write up your order for each bead or button on a ticket, and then you take it to the pay booth to check out.
You can take your time choosing your items, and they are happy to help if you need it and when you are ready to pay.
My daughter told me about bag charms and how she wanted to make one for her Marc Jacobs bag from High School. I chose several beads she could choose from, including the clasp, cord, and everything else she needed to put together. It would be an enjoyable thing to do together. But since she wasn’t with me on this trip, I chose for her.
Landline
107 Avenue Parmentier
I discovered Landline on Remodelista. Mary Ann and I took the Metro on a Monday, only to discover that most independent stores are closed on Monday. We went back on Tuesday, and we are so happy we did. It’s a lovely general store that reminds you of when all your calls were made and received on a landline. All products are plastic free and sourced in Europe.
Landline has a little bit of everything in the best possible way. It’s displayed in a way that makes your eye travel from one object to another, and it just makes sense. It’s a store that is lit perfectly but sort of dark in a good way. So many shops have gone all neutral, so you can hardly tell the difference. That is not the case at Landline.
Astier de Villatte
173 rue Saint-Honoré
Astier de Villatte is a one-of-a-kind company. They have their shop where they sell artisnal ceramics. They only have four boutiques – two in Paris, one in Milan, and one in Seoul. But they do sell their products in 55 countries including John Derian in New York, Sue Fisher King in San Francisco, Liberty of London, and Isetan in Tokyo, just to name a few.
You can read more about John Derian in this post on our sister site, Most Lovely Things.
Their Paris shop also offers ceramic and perfume creation workshops. Definitely worth a visit if you’d like to experience something truly unique.
Monoprix
There are over 700 Monoprix stores throughout France, so finding one will never be a problem. First, we love visiting grocery stores in France, and Monoprix is both a grocery store and a department store.
You’ll find everything from Duralux glassware to Le Parfait Jam Jars, a notions department, art supplies, and home goods. They always have a beautiful section for party goods.
Monoprix is a great place to pick up souvenirs that people will actually use. Things like Dijon mustard, spices in cute jars, biscuits…butter! There are so many choices for butter. We usually stay at a hotel with a refrigerator, so I refrigerate it until right before we check out. Some stores will seal it in plastic bags, but it’s not necessary unless it’s sweltering when you are traveling. Then, store it in a plastic bag to protect other items in your checked luggage.
So next time you’re strolling the streets of Paris, skip a few of the big-name stores and visit one of these favorites instead. Who knows? You might find a new go-to shop—or at least a perfect whisk, a vintage treasure, or a new favorite bag to bring home.
