Notes from the Patch

Paris' Papiere's

Sunday I drug out my cardboard box of maps, books, collected business cards, articles ripped from  magazines and blog post downloads on Paris. I wanted to make final notes on the cluster of stationary boutiques that are housed within the Fourth Arrondissement just over the bridge and a few blocks from the Ile Saint-Louis.

This area is a mecca for those who love hand made papers, elegant writing implements, wooden stamp sets and hand printed and embossed greeting cards. Fortunately for me (not so much for Bill) we will be staying within walking distance.

 

My favorite of the three shops is Melodies Graphiques. 10, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe. 4^th Arrondissement - Metro Saint-Paul. Hours: Monday - 2 to 7pm, Tuesday through Saturday - 11am to 7pm.

I love the old world feel of this charming shop

as well as the wall above the bookcases that is covered with handwritten envelopes sent from customers from all over the world. You might want to ask owner Eric to write you a note in his perfectly pinned calligraphy. Melodies Graphiques is a great place to find authenic French gifts for friends back home.

Directly across the street is polar opposite, Papier Plus. 9, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe

4^th Arrondissement - Metro Saint-Paul. Hours: Monday through Saturday - noon to 7pm

www.papierplus.com

This minimalistic paper store stocks handmade journals and papers in a large spectrum of colors. A great place to find files, storage boxes, photo albums, and pencils to color coordinate your entire office. 

Steps away is Kanea - 4, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe - Metro Saint-Paul. Hours Monday through Saturday 11 am to 8pm

www.kanea.fr

Isn't it sad that with computers and emails, beautiful papers and all their accoutrements are quickly becoming a thing of the past? Walking through these shops makes me want to sit down and write a letter. I can't wait to go back!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

The Paris I Love - 1st & 2nd Arrondissement

Several of my friends are planning trips to Paris and have asked me for a list of my favorite spots. That's hard. How do you limit Paris to a short list? I have accumulated a huge stack of books, maps, business cards and brochures over the years and since we too are planning a trip early this summer I thought I would sort through it all and list some of my favorite spots here for easy reference for us all. My list consists mostly of restaurant's, quaint sewing, cooking and hand made shops and favorite places to buy bread, cheese, chocolate and other goodies for a picnic in the park, pre dinner cocktail parties or to enjoy on the train. Keep in mind that even in a city with a history as old as Paris, things can change. I have included websites whenever possible so you may want to check with the establishments before venturing out. But even if you're lost or the shop is gone you won't be disappointed. Paris hosts fabulous finds on every street. So put on your most comfortable walking shoes, grab a map, buy a Metro ticket and let's go shopping!

I'll add a Paris catagory to the side bar and will be posting additional arrondissements as our trip nears, that way it will always be there for you if and when you get to go! Please feel free to share additional favorite spots in the 1st or 2nd arrondissement. I'm always looking for new places to explore. 

 

Paris is laid out in districts called arrondissements. Visitors and locals alike find them an easy way to find their way around so I am listing my favorite spots by arrondissements here. I've also listed the Metro stops.

 

 

Today's list is of my favorite spots in the 1st and 2nd Arrondissements:

 

E. Dehillerin - Metro: Les Halles - 18 rue Coquilliere. Open Monday-Saturday 9:00-6:00

This is the cooking supply store that Julia Child frequented and was mentioned in the movie, Julie and Julia. You can find cooking pots of every size,

 

dozens of sizes of tart pans and eiffel tower cookie cutters in this charming old warehouse of a store. The sales staff are helpful and friendly and speak good english.

 

Although Dehillerin is the best known, there are other kitchen shops to see in this area.

 

Just around the corner is:

Mora - Metro: Les Halles - 13-15 rue Montmartre. Open 9:00-6:15

Mora caters to professional bakers and pastry chefs and has been doing it since 1814. They stock all the accoutrement's for baking and the staff are especially helpful.

 

Also on this street is a wonderful luxury food shop...

 

Foie Gras de Luxe- Metro: Les Halles - 26 rue Montmartre. Open 6:00am-noon &1.30-5.30pm.

Since 1948 this is the place where chefs go to buy whole lobes of foie gras. A fun shop to visit.

Au Pied de Cochon- Metro: Les Halles - 6 rue Couquillier. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

We always stop here for French onion soup and a glass of wine. It's just down the street from E. Dehillerin. They specialize in all things pork like pigs feet and tails, but we just stick to the soup.

Just around the corner from Au Pied de Couchon is

 

La Droguerie- Metro: Les Halles - 9-11 rue du Jour. Open Mon 2:30-6:45. Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-6:45

You may remember when I showed you LaDroguerie in this post (or tried too since they don't allow photographs in the store. I found this to be the case in many of the shops in Paris. It's always a good idea to ask first or do what I do and just snap a few photos really fast and act dumb when you get caught).

They have a good selection of wonderful yarns,

Liberty of London bias ribbon 

 

that they make interesting jewelry from and lots of kits, 

beads and embellishments.

I try and go here every time we go to Paris. The staff is friendly, speak english and I love the energy! There are lots of samples and inspiration. I know that there must be a La Droguerie in heaven!

Just a block up the street from La Droguerie is

Mokuba Ribbon - Metro: Les Halles - 18 rue Montmartre. Open Monday-Friday 9:30-6:30

 

In the thirty years I've been in this business I can honestly say I've never seen so many ribbons in one little store.

Mokuba can be a bit frustrating for me though since there is so much to see and no samples or inspiration. I find it best to shop with a list of what you need or just buy what speaks to you. The quality is top notch and the prices reflect that. 

They seem to sell mostly to the trade so take a business card or resale number for a 30% discount. It helps!

After all that shopping you're probably ready for a latte

Torrefacteur Verlet- Metro: Palais Royal - 256 rue Saint Honore. Open 9:30-7:00

This is a wonderful coffee place that brews the finest carefully selected coffees from around the world and offers coffee beans for sale in its boutique. You probably will want to sit and enjoy your coffee before moving on since the French consider it rude to drink and eat while walking about.

Across the street is

Astier de Villatte- Metro: Palais Royal - 173 Saint Honore . Open Monday Saturday11:00-7:30

Here you will find the most delicate hand made French white glazed, black terra cotta pottery based on 18th &19th century French and Italian designs. I splurge and treat myself to a piece or two every chance I get. This stuff speaks to my soul.

A breath of Paris preserves the soul.

Victor Hugo "Les Miserables", 1862 

 

 

Alexia Hollinger- Metro: Pyramides - 3 rue Therese. Open Tuesday-Friday noon-7:30

It's fun to get ideas as you shop unique one-of-a-kind handmade handbags made from vintage textiles.

UltraMod- Metro: Quatre Septembre -2-3 rue de Choiseul. Open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00 

 

 

 

This mercerie or sewing store has been in the business of selling buttons, silks, hats and fabric since 1890.

You can peruse trims from the 1940's and silks from the '30's. A must see for anyone who sews or loves unusual embellishments! 

Before heading back to the hotel stop at

Legrand Fille et Fils - Merto: Bourse - rue de la Banque

Take a bottle home

from this quintessential old Paris wine shop with its dark wood and well stocked shelves. Go through to the back to a glass enclosed courtyard and across to a shop filled with wine paraphernalia or have a bite to eat at the cafe.

Or grab a light bite to eat and a glass at

Le Rubis - Metro: Pyramides - 10 rue du Marche Sainte Honore.

This famous wine bar sports a unique zinc bar and specializes in Beaujolais. They serve light meals. It's a great place to make new friends and people watch.

That's it for day one. I hope you find it helpful!

Encourage one another,