I Prefer Paris

Joyce Gallery: Chantal Thomass and Paco Rabanne

SAVE THE DATE! Please join me for my live, Facebook Fabulous Food Tour on the Rue des Martyrs on Wednesday, May 19 10am EST (east coast time), 9am Midwest time, 7am, West coast time, and 4pm Paris time.

CLICK HERE to reserve your spot. 

The Joyce Gallery in the Palais Royal always has great windows with the work of fashion designers. A few weeks ago, I spotted an exhibition celebrating the 40 plus years of the designs of French designer Chantal Thomass. An auction of Thomass’s clothes and accessories was held at Drouot on May 6. Thomass is known mostly for her sexy lingerie designs which include garters and corsets and has a lingerie boutique on rue Saint Honore. 

I returned the following week to the Palais Royal and there was a new fashion display at the Joyce Gallery, a sampling of designer Paco Rabanne’s work. The pieces are from Rabanne’s collections designed for the runway, which were collected by pianist Jorge Zulueta and the late Jacobo Romano, who founded the Argentine theater and music company Grupo Acción Instrumenta. The pair used them as costumes for their operas and shows. They originally had a collection of 400 pieces of clothing and 200 accessories and some were sold at auction in 2012 and 2014. The remainder of 182 outfits from the collection will be sold by the auction house Millon on May 31. Rabanne used a mélange of  unconventional materials including silver reflectors, molded plastic, crumpled paper, and hammered metal. 

Joyce Gallery 

168 Galerie de Valois, 75001

https://www.joyce.com/gallery/

L/Uniform Canvas Bags and Accessories

I was walking home from a Saint Germain tour on the Quai Voltaire last week and discovered a wonderful shop. Peering through the window at L/Uniform boutique, I saw a selection of handsome canvas bags and totes trimmed with colored leather. Once inside L/Uniform, I methodically took in all the merchandise lining the shelves and on the display counters. Wallets and change purses in canvas were uniformly stacked in a draw, with appealing multi-color trim, one wall had tote fanny packs with fun-colored straps, and another display had roomy, square bottom totes with thick straps, and long ones with thinner and longer shoulder straps. L/Uniform also had a new collection of back-to-school bags for kids.

The merchandise is produced in Portugal with the quadrille canvas coming from Italy. There are two grades of canvas, cotton and cotton mixed with linen. L/Uniform can apply initials or symbols on any piece to customize it, and it takes about 15 minutes. They make great gifts, especially with the initials.

1 Quai Voltaire, 75007

https://luniform.com/en?_gl=1*1aya9qm*_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9rS-6_2tiAMVKmdBAh2MfAyjEAAYASAAEgKXXfD_BwE

 

Messy Nessy’s Cabinet

Vanessa Grall is the voice, author, and editor of Messy Nessy Chic, a Paris blog with a cult following. She started the blog in 2010, and it has a huge fan club and following. Over the years, Grall has parlayed the blog into a mini empire, with a series of insider city guidebooks, Don’t be a Tourist in Paris, London, Copenhagen, and New York, online city guides, products, a private online club, and consulting services. The blog is a mix of quirky and obscure findings about Paris and many other things, done with humor and sometimes a wink of the eye.

Messy Nessy Chic has once again expanded its empire with the opening of a retail shop in the Latin Quarter, Messy Nessy’s Cabinet. I popped over there two weeks ago and met Vanessa, who was cool and laid back

The boutique is what you would expect, if you know the blog: quirky, offbeat, fun, interesting, and eccentric. Wood shelves are lined with books about travel, history, novels and memoirs about Paris, a trivia card game Parisian Pursuit. Other curiosity items include Seine River water in a bottle, antiques, Surreal eyeglasses, paintings, and baseball hats. There’s a fun series of mini-curiosity cabinets hung inside of empty frames.

Vanessa is usually in the shop, as she lives nearby and her office is in the back, so stop by and say Eye Prefer Paris sent you.

19 rue de Bievre, 75005

https://shop.messynessychic.com/pages/contact-us

Deeya Paris Boutique

A few weeks ago, Vincent my partner raved about a new, super cool clothing and accessory boutique in the Marais and he said I must check it out for Eye Prefer Paris.

Vincent is pretty much always on the money when he suggests things for me to do, and he was absolutely right this time

Deeya Paris is a fantastic boutique celebrating the craftsman and artisans of India, featuring clothing, accessories, jewelry, and home design. The shop bursts with alive colors, great designs, and a cool vibe. Racks and shelves are chock full of winning, eye popping, and appealing items which make you want to buy everything in the shop.

I spoke with one of the owners, Matthieu Foss, who co-owns the boutique with his wife Marielou, and he shared with me that the boutique stocks only merchandise produced in India, with about 15 Indian designers. Many of the clothing and accessories have hand embroidery or hand sewing on them.

In the rear of the boutique is a gallery specializing photos of Indian photographers and the current show has black and white photos of an Art Deco movie theater.

Matthieu and Marielou have pooled their talents from their former careers to open Deeya.

Marielou, originally from Bombay, worked closely with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel for 15 years and in 2017 she started working with environmentally conscious labels and promoting Indian craftsmen.

Matthieu was one of the founders of Paris Photo and moved to Mumbai in 2005 to open the first photo gallery in the city. Now back in Paris, Matthieu continues promote Indian culture involving photographs, fashion, and design.

21 rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 https://deeyaparis.com/collections/all

Matthieu Foss

Paolo Roversi at Dover Street Market

Photographer Paolo Roversi is having quite a year in Paris. 

On March 26, the Palais Galliera opened a major retrospective of Roversi, focusing on his incredible career of 40+ years with 140 astonishing images of his fashion and beauty photos. Now there’s a second tribute to Roversi in Paris. 

Last week the Dover Street Market opened in the former, 17^th century palace of Madame Sevigne. The new space is much more than another fashion shop in the Marais; it not only houses fashion and accessory collections of upcoming, young creators, it’s also a cultural center with live events and a gallery space. 

Walking through the cobblestone courtyard other day, I was stunned by the striking, columns adorned with Roversi’s photos. The light wood columns were designed by Rei Kawakubo, the founder of the iconic Comme des Garcons label and she also designed the minimalist interiors of the building. 

Another wonderful surprise was a beautifully curated exhibit of Roversi’s work on the lower level of the cultural center. The photographs are displayed on a cylinder-shaped wall in a dark room with just the photos illuminated. 

Dover Street Market

35-37 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003

https://www.doverstreetmarketparis.com/

Athanase Gallery

I have passed an intriguing shop, Athanase Gribaudo Vandamme, just outside the Galerie Vivienne, piled high with dusty, old books and vintage maps, numerous times, but I never stepped inside. 

Last week I passed the Athanase Gribaudo Vandamme again, and I hardly recognized it; gone were the books and in its place was, floor to ceiling wood cases, neatly stacked with vintage engravings, with each box specifically marked.In the center, there’s racks of faux marble portfolios with ancient maps and posters. I didn’t have much time, but I spent a few minutes thumbing through the boxes of engravings with glee and wonderment, also delighted by some of the categories tagged on the outside: birds, fruit, reptiles, trains, insects, and furniture. Another part of the shop has draws filled with engravings from all 96 departments in France. There is also a selection of old globes. 

I wondered where all the books went, and when I looked down, there they were, encased in the glass floor below me. Next time I visit, I have to leave at least a couple of hours, so I can browse through every rack and shelf. 

Athanase Gribaudo Vandamme

6 Galerie Vivienne, 75002

Marin Montagut Boutique

I was with a tour client last week, and she passionately shared about a home boutique she discovered. She practically ordered me to visit, as she knew I would like it. I read about Marin Montagut Boutique a few years ago but didn’t get around to checking it out.

On a quiet, side street close to the Luxembourg Gardens, Marin Montgut is a most enchanting, delightful, and whimsical boutique. The shop is filled to the brim with porcelain plates, cups, mugs, glassware, scarves, textiles, throw pillows, candles, and stationery.

What’s even more impressive about Marin Montagut is that everything in the boutique is either made in Paris or France. The porcelain is handcrafted and painted, the glassware is produced with recycled glass and hand blown, the objets and decorative items are handcrafted, the silk scarves are from a family-owned textile house in Lyon, and the fabrics, pillows, and hand towels are produced in a Parisian workshop.

My favorite thing about Marin Montagut is the circus-themed windows which include a mini, Ferris Wheel surrounded by puppets, a carousel, a harlequin, and a furry bear beating his drum.

In my opinion, Marin Montagut is the best place to buy an original and unique Paris souvenir, made in France.

48 rue Madame, 75006

Open 11am-7pm Monday to Saturday

https://en.marinmontagut.com/

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Martha Friedricks, Susan Borden, Corinne Nalet, Deborah Page, Maxine Gaiber, Anne Stern, Verne Henshall, Mary Dreckman, Sarah Kayle, Gary Lavalette, Barbara Elkman, Chris Dearling, Bill O’ Such, Marsha Cannon, Edward Nahamias, Sandy Springs, Arlyn Gardner, Marilyn Roofner, Renee Ozburn, Monique Van Damm, Joanie Stewart, Elizabeth Shepard, Judith Rizzo, Anne Gummerson, Bodan Ferguson, George Van Fleet, Shari Shocket, Val Carter,  and Marcia Seligson

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Experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens, and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, Emily in Paris tours, and Chocolate and pastry tours.

Tours start at 250 euros for up to 3 people, and 85 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

 

Christmas in Paris 2023

This is the last of my Christmas in Paris 2023 series. Today the focus is on street lights and displays, Place Vendome, and the beautiful trees and decorations from five-star hotels throughout Paris.

Did you enjoy my Christmas in Paris postings this year?

Please check out my article about the fabulous new Raffles Hotel London for Luxury Travel Advisor

https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/hotels/just-back-raffles-london-owo?fbclid=IwAR2BuAoQQjqGfH-xlw0OrxFnW2lhslBxKD9oZOSEWl8H2BkxU4wVPGl_0Lc

 

Place Vendome

Place Vendome

Ritz Paris

Place Vendome

Four Seasons George V

 Four Seasons George V

Four Seasons George V

Hotel Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg

Ritz Paris

Hotel Crillon

Louis Vuitton Place Vendome

Chanel rue Saint Honore

Dior rue Saint Honore

Bulgari Hotel

Four Seasons George V

Four Seasons George V

Fouquet's Hotel

Place Vendome

Ritz Paris
Place Vendome

Place Vendome

Dior Saint Honore

 

 

 

 

Christmas in Paris 2023: BHV and Hotel de Ville

Hotel de Ville always does a great Christmas display and small market and this year they are spotlighting the upcoming Olympic Games 2024. The plaza is lined with fresh fir trees and there are free rides and activities for children including a carousel, a rock-climbing wall, and a giant toboggan. There are small wood kiosks selling food and drinks such as hot pretzels, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. Other kiosks sell crafts and other artisan products made in France.

Until December 31, 2023

Across the street at the BHV department store, hedgehogs, foxes, and blue jays make their way through a mysterious and magical forest. Inside the store, there’s a special Christmas gift market, and free DIY workshops to learn how to make advent calendars and gifts.

Christmas in Paris 2023: Printemps

The eternally glamorous and legendary Catherine Deneuve kicked off the inauguration of the holiday windows at Printemps for 2023. It’s a Paper Holiday, Let Your Wishes Come True, is the theme this year with messenger birds taking the helm. The windows are comprised of 170,000 paper decorations designed by Mathilde Nivet, 11,000 feet of fairy lights, and 95 puppets. Below are the four different themes.

• “THE CALL FOR WISHES” with birds flocking together to collect wishes,
• “PROCESSING THE WISHES”, true letter-making machinery with busy night owls processing the wishes,
• “WAITING FOR WISHES”, where Christmas messengers are gathered on wires above the Printemps Haussmann domes alongside FERRERO ROCHER© magic pyramids,
• and finally,” THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE WISHES”, under the majestic Printemps Haussmann dome, where colorful birds are hard at work, preparing the gifts asked for by the visitors.
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Christmas in Paris 2023: Galeries Lafayette

Today I start my annual edition of the Christmas time in Paris with the windows of Galeries Lafayette.

For 2023, the theme at Galeries Lafayette is the Little Girl and the Paintbrush, inspired by "Noël de mes Rêves"/My Dream Christmas. Fashion couturier Charles de Vilmorin, born on Christmas, designed the windows and decorations for the iconic, humongous Christmas tree.

Other festive happenings at the store include a puppet workshop, a Santa photo op, and a Santa Claus mailbox.

Until December 31, 2023

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER IN TIME FOR XMAS

I am offering a holiday sale of free shipping on Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards. In addition, if you want to send them as a holiday gift, I can handwrite a personalized card for you.

For a set of 18 cards, you will save $12, and for a set of 9 cards, you will save $8.

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

IMPORTANT! You must order your cards before December 10, as I mail them from Paris, and it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive in the U.S.

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65 Includes Free Shipping.

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping 

Postcards are hand-wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French-blue envelope. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

Blue Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers