HOT ON THE TRAIL OF PARIS COOL
GOT 24 HOURS TO SPEND IN PARIS? HEAD TO THE HIPPEST DISTRICT OF MARAIS FOR YOUR FIX OF ART, DESIGN AND FUNK
It’s no secret that Marais is one of the coolest areas in Paris. Its charms have been extolled often enough; from Place des Vosges to Musee Picasso and Rue des Rosiers. The paths to its myriad boutiques and vintage stores are well trod. Haut-Marais, the northern portion of the Marais, on the other hand is still relatively unexplored, not yet the tourist drag. That’s perhaps why its offerings, the coolest in the area, are still not common knowledge.
LE CARREAU DU TEMPLE
My first visits to this covered market were during Paris Fashion Week for Hedi Slimane’s fast paced Saint Laurent shows. But during the rest of the year the Carreau, which reopened in 2014, plays host to a plethora of events—literary, cultural, gastronomic, home, and fashion. Watch out for its excellent vintage sales where you can not only pick up furniture and lighting but also everything from Courreges designs to Yves Saint Laurent work by the
man himself as well as more recent Prada and Louis Vuitton clothing and accessories at bargain prices. Where At 4 rue EugèneSpuller—75003 Paris
Spice recommends The first Forum FNAC books is a literary blockbuster in early September while the Forum of Contemporary Knives presents the world’s most artistic cutlery on September 18-19, 2016
For more www.carreaudutemple.eu
CAFÉ LOUSTIC/ FOLKS AND SPARROWS
The Haut-Marais area is not really hipster central but these two cafes will make you reconsider your opinion. Both have a 70s influenced hipster vibe. Café Loustic on rue Chapon has some excellent coffee, and the little eats alongside are pretty good too. Minutes away from Merci is Folks and Sparrows (on Rue Saint-Sebastien), which serves up brown paper wrapped and hemp tied sandwiches, fresh juices, good coffee, and has a little epicerie to get in some retail therapy as well. Where Café Loustic, 40 rue Capon, 75003 Paris; Spice recommends The fantastic coffee. Folks and Sparrows 14 rue Saint-Sebastien, 75011 Paris; Spice recommends A sandwich. Any sandwich; For more www.cafeloustic.com
THE CHOMETTEGALERIE MICHELE BEAUBOURGWAS IS CREDITEDON RUE WITH GIVING GRAVITAS TO PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE PARISIAN ART WORLD. THE SECOND FLOOR SPACE, WHERE YOU CAN VISIT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, GIVES YOU THE FEEL OF BEING IN ON AN INSIDER SECRET.
GALERIE PERROTIN/ GALERIE MICHELE CHOMETTE
Emanuel Perrotin, the man credited with discovering Takashi Murakami and Damien Hirst, has his Parisian outpost at Rue de Turenne. Famed for his glamorous soirees, his roster of artists includes Murakami, Sophie Calle, JR, Ryan McGinley and Bharti Kher. The eponymous Galerie Michele Chomette on Rue Beaubourg was started by the woman credited with giving photography gravitas in the Parisian art world. This second floor space, where you can visit by appointment only, gives you the feel of being in on an insider secret, and this space comes highly recommended by all. Where Galerie Perrotin, 76 rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris; www.perrotin. com; Spice recommends Takashi Murakami exhibit from Sep 10-Dec 23, 2016 Where Galerie Michele Chomette, 24 rue Beaubourg 75003; By appointment only Spice recommends Incise Video & Film between Sep 14-Oct 29, 2016
MERCI
Colette might be the go-to for fashionistas looking for everything hot-off-the-runway but for a more eclectic shopping experience, Merci is the place to head to. A former wallpaper factory, Merci is now multibrand fashion and home store on Boulevard Beaumarchais. Merci’s many areas include the Used Book Café, which is lined from ceiling to floor with books, an entire floor devoted to home décor and furniture. In the basement is The Merci Canteen overlooking a small garden while the courtyard has a VW Beetle that serves as a canvas for that season’s whimsy.
Where Merci 111 Blvd. Beaumarchais 75003 Paris; Spice recommends The pocket-sized Merci medallions which make the ideal Parisian gift; For more www.merci-merci.com