Artazart
The best design bookstore in France carries tomes on everything from architecture to tattoo art: there are sections dedicated to photography, fashion, graphic art, typography, illustration, package design, color, and more.
"Off the beaten track" aptly describes the up-and-coming neighborhoods of eastern Paris, which are dotted with galleries, vintage shops, and funky boutiques. Low-key cool reigns here, so you won’t encounter the high-wattage, high-profile designers that vie for attention elsewhere. Instead, local hipster shops ensure a few choice finds that will be seen on you and only you.
The best design bookstore in France carries tomes on everything from architecture to tattoo art: there are sections dedicated to photography, fashion, graphic art, typography, illustration, package design, color, and more.
The store's A-list fashion credentials come with a big bonus—everything here is ethically and ecologically sourced. Peruse racks of men's and women's wear from handpicked European and U.S. labels, then head to the stellar shoe department to complete your look. Beneath glass skylights as clear as your conscience, you'll also find a fine selection of natural candles, leather goods, and jewelry. The kids' store just around the corner ( 22 rue Yves Toudic) is one of the city's best, with toys, decor, and color-coordinated togs that express canal-side cool.
A handpicked selection of the best in French and European fashion for men and women (hard to find outside Europe) is gathered in this sleek duplex boutique. There's also a small selection of accessories, including scarves, bags and leather goods, outerwear, jewelry, perfume, and scented candles.
Craftsmanship and style that won't wreck your budget—that's the trademark of this artisan bootmaker from the Camargue, a wild area of Provence where cowboys require durable boots to rustle the wild horses. That doesn't mean the boutique is short on chic. La Botte Gardiane has impeccably designed and beautifully classic full-length boots, slouchy booties, chukkas, espadrilles, and strappy sandals in suede, python, shearling, and the supplest calf leather from the tanner that supplies Hermès. Look for styles for men, women, and kids.
By turns bold and dainty, these exquisitely constructed vintage-inspired bags are some of the most original in Paris. A python-and-calf tote is demure in storm gray: in ice blue it's a statement. Day bags in myriad shapes and sizes are always stylish; for evening, ingenious faceted clutches come in a range of colors and skins, with a sexy signature version chained to a python wristband. Other leather accessories (like iPad cases and wallets) and whimsical Polaroid-print silk scarves are also available.
If you don't find something you absolutely love among the color-coordinated racks jam-packed with vintage designer and simply fabulous clothing here, we'll eat our cashmere beret. Look for Hermès, Courrèges, Vivian Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent, and so much more for both men and women. Check out the new arrivals of the week on the website, but don't get there too early, as the boutique is open from 2 pm to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday.
With a knack for pairing gems of varying sizes, brilliance, and texture, Yves Gratas allows each stone to influence the design. Whether it's a spectacular necklace of sapphire beads to be worn long or doubled, or a simple agate sphere tipped in gold and dangling like a tiny planet, these stellar jewels feel like one organic whole.
A household name in Paris, agnès b. has earned rock-star status among two generations of fashionistas. Her artsy-yet-classic aesthetic translates to a slew of well-made staples for women, men, and children in quality fabrics that you'll mix and match for years to come. Look for the signature striped cotton T-shirts, travel clothes that never wrinkle, and irresistible accessories.
This bright, fuchsia-color store is packed with an international assortment of eclectic objects and items from Antoine & Lili's own clothing line for women. There's a global-rummage-sale feel, with old Asian posters, small lanterns, and basket upon basket of inexpensive doodads, baubles, and trinkets for sale. The clothing itself has simple lines, and there are always plenty of raw-silk pieces to pick from.
Customers swoon over the 50-some wildly delicious jam flavors at this artisan shop specializing in homemade confitures (jams) that change with the seasons: black currant–jasmine or apricot-lavender in summer; in winter, chestnut-pear-tonka bean or carrot–passion fruit; and spring strawberry–cherry blossom or raspberry-violet. You’ll also find jellies to accompany cheeses (champagne-rosé; port wine), and sublime caramel, nut, and chocolate spreads. Design-your-own gift boxes are the perfect way to bestow these beautifully packaged gourmet, oh-so-Parisian flavors. All products are made on the premises in the Viaduc des Arts, and you can watch the chefs in action in the glassed-in kitchens.
This poetic brand charmed its way into the local fashion idiom with chic yet beguilingly feminine styles. Fabrics are soft, and styles are casual with a tiny golden star sewn into each garment for good luck.
The clothes from this full-fledged design star rock out bohemian French stylishness. The separates skim the body without constricting: look for layered miniskirts, loose peekaboo sweaters ready to slip from a shoulder, and super full-length shearling vests to pair with slouchy boots. The secondary line, Étoile, offers a less expensive take.
These are last season's models, but no one will guess; savings on these handbags are 30% to 60%.
Working in the vaults of the Viaduc des Arts, this artisan shoemaker crafts fully sur-mesure shoes in the age-old Parisian tradition for discerning buyers. Customers meet with the artisan-designer to decide exactly what they’re looking for and to choose the skins, colors, laces, and other features of their dream shoe. There’s also a selection of ready-to-wear shoes you can try on and take with you.
Paris's largest market is as much an event as a place to shop. Blocks of specialized stalls—including ones devoted to rare wines, regional cheeses, game, seafood, and flowers—cater to scores of Parisian chefs and epicures. It's open Thursday and Sunday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Little items for the home in a riot of colors are sold here, but you'll also find fabulous rubber jewelry and funky stuff for kids big and small.
Do not hesitate to run for that taxi in a pair of superchic pumps, flats, or booties from Patricia Blanchet, which are neither too high nor too low but just the right height. Though the designer doesn't swerve from her five or six basic styles, her beautifully hued leathers, including metallics and exotic skins like pony and stingray, change with the season. Booties may come with metallic piping or colorful insets and cutouts, and are cut low for a sexy peek at the ankle.
Designer Emma François's main inspiration is traveling to faraway places, where she picks up ideas for the textures, prints, and colors of her versatile collection of fashion staples for women. Separates range from neutral basics—a lace inset top or camisole, a wraparound jumpsuit, a knitted cape—to brilliantly colored or natty print sweaters, trousers, blouses, and blazers. The collection is completed with a gently priced line of shoes, boots, scarves, and accessories. The Rue de Charonne concept store, the largest of her Paris shops, also has a gallery featuring the work of French artists and artisans and a selection of handmade textiles, housewares, and jewelry.
Whether it's a bracelet of gigantic rhinestones, a ring of fluorescent pink resin, or a pair of floating angel wings on a necklace, each Viveka Bergström piece has an acute sense of style while not taking itself too seriously.