Mode FemmeMode Femme

There is no doubt the Marais is the most specialised fashion area of all in Paris. International "Haut de gamme" brands stand next to small creative and original designers with items made in France and made in Europe. You will find in these women's fashion shops, all kinds of unique clothing, accessories and souvenirs that you will never find anywhere else.

Saint-Paul, the secret Marais

by Camille Girette - Translation by Cara Scouten, Parismarais.com fashion & style specialist,
In partnership with Elle à Paris 

Le Marais has a number of public parks and gardens springtime visitors shouldn't miss. Our favorite is Place des Vosges (originally named "Place Royale" during the time of Louis XIII and inaugurated in 1612). It is an absolute square, surrounded by perfectly symmetrical brick and stone apartment buildings sitting atop a colonnaded walkway. 

Under the arches are some of Paris' chicest designer boutiques, art galleries, three-star restaurants and four-star hotels. Planted with well-pruned square-shaped trees, there are patches of lawns that only a few years ago were opened to the public for trespassing on -- sunbathers and picnickers quickly spread their blankets. Children play in the sandboxes and the harmony of the scene is entrancing.

 Don't be afraid to peek in. Very often, the "digicode" allows entry during the day with the press of one button and what you will discover are quiet cobblestone courtyards and lovely gardens. Those who live in the converted apartments of these private mansions overlooking such serenity cannot help but to truly love living in Le Marais!

WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS

1 Aspic Basilic
This « cabinet de curiosités » encompasses the mineral, vegetable and animal worlds. The new collection uses garden vegetables and insect shells to create design objects and accessories. You can also discover shrimp life in an ecosphere (from 99 €).  

2 Azag
All of Elle à Paris’ favorite brands are on rue François Miron. At Pierre Azagury’s shop, discover his own ceramic creations (vases for 17 €) as well as notebooks by Madame Mo, bags by Jack Gomme, and objects by Press Citron…not far away, Sentou and Happy Home also rank among the best design shops of the capital. 

3 Cornershop 
Dishware, home decoration, furniture…the selection is chic and beautiful. This shop promotes French and foreign designers who you won’t find anywhere else. For example, for 80 €, the rechargeable electric candles by Jean-Luc Le Deun.

4 Sensitive et Fils
The two children of Lethi Tran, creator of the brand Sensitive, have each opened a boutique. One at rue Faidherbe, and one here, at rue François Miron. Manufactured in Asia, the clothing follows clean lines. Mao jackets are 61 €; accessories, a line of childrenswear, as well as new and old furniture are also available.

5 La Tête Ailleurs
Ethnic decor and large windows, we rushed to try their Mediterranean dishes : lamb shoulder, polenta with rosemary sauce, red berry and caramel panna cotta. A very reasonable 30 € a la carte per person.

6 Harnn et Thann
Thai culture is found here in the two skincare lines. The Harnn line combines the benefits of rice oil and tropical plants. Thann is a more technical line but still made from vegetable products. All products contain no preservatives and are never tested on animals.
also…

Allison
All the hip labels : Maje, Antik Batik, NoCollection…

Ségo Spa
The advantage of this new spa : modelage while being misted by essential oils (30 € for 45 minutes).

Patch’world
This store sells its own line of creations : rugs, jewelry, and bracelets made of natural grains.

WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND… 

7 Aux Comptoirs du chineur
Laurent only sells vintage items from the 50’s to the 80’s in a happily organized clutter : sunglasses (from 40€ to 80€), watches, records, boots, bags, telephones…the prices are from 2 € to 3200 € for an authentic 70’s « bubble chair » (a plastic egg suspended from the ceiling that you can swing in) and are based on purchase price and not on market value.

8 Analog collector
Real finds for new and used records. Specializing in classical music, the store stocks quite a lot of jazz and pop-rock as well. Prices vary from 1 € to 100 €. And for those who want to clean out their collection, you can also re-sell or exchange your old albums.

9 Galerie Brasilia
Re-issues of contemporary furniture by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer, superb and unique pieces made from exotic Zanine wood : this new space opened by a Brazilian passionate about designers from his own country is well worth the trip. But expect a price tag of 7000 € for a meridien by Niemeyer…or, settle for one of his lithographs.

10 Le Rouge-Gorge
The menu here changes every day. At lunchtime, a large plate (meat or fish with a vegetable and cheese) is only 10 €, entrées are from 14 € and appetizers are from 6 €. This little restaurant is also a wine celler with a great selection from the Corsican island île de Beauté.

11 Sultan
Jeremy bargain-hunts for fabrics and leathers from the 40’s to the 70’s and transforms them using dyes, detergents, or bleach. His men’s collection of shirts, sweaters, and coats are very elegant and he has also just launched a line of limited edition sweaters for women for 130 €.

Domino Shopping Effect 

y Heidi Elisson, © Paris Update.com
It took a surprisingly long time to happen considering its proximity to the heart of the boutique-saturated Marais, but the “upper” Rue Vieille-du-Temple (between the Picasso Museum and the Cirque d’Hiver) has finally blossomed into a center for chic clothing shops and galleries specializing in design and contemporary art. On days when the galleries are holding openings, the street swarms with artsy types who are sometimes more colorful and interesting to look at than the artwork.

Here’s a door-to-door survey of the street’s retail topography, starting at the Cirque d’Hiver end. A detour on Rue de Poitou and Rue Charlot leads to more trendy shops and galleries.

Oneninesixone. Young designer Gaëtane Raguet refurbishes teak furnishings from the 1960s and covers them with her own low-key, retro-style fabric designs, creating a handsome mix of old and new. The shop also offers lamps, vases and objects by other designers whose work complements hers. No. 135. Tel.: 01 42 72 50 84. E-mail: oneninesixone@freerags.com / Web: www.oneninesixone.com

Oneninesixone. Young designer Gaëtane Raguet refurbishes teak furnishings from the 1960s and covers them with her own low-key, retro-style fabric designs, creating a handsome mix of old and new. The shop also offers lamps, vases and objects by other designers whose work complements hers.
No. 135. Tel.: 01 42 72 50 84. 
E-mail: oneninesixone@freerags.com.
Web: www.oneninesixone.com.
Centre Culturel Mexicain. The gallery of the Mexican Cultural Center, one of the pioneers in the neighborhood, presents works by Mexican artists. On show to Nov. 19), “Telenovellas,” photos by Stefan Ruiz. 
No. 123. Tel.: 01 44 61 84 43. 
E-mail: ccmexfr@wanadoo.fr. 
Web: www.mexiqueculture.org.
Bernard Bouche. Contemporary art gallery, currently showing the minimalist paintings of Antonio Calderara 
No. 123. Tel.: 01 42 72 60 03.
Galerie Rabouan Moussion. This contemporary art gallery is currently showing Russian artist Kirill Chelushkin’s “Snow People” installation and paintings.
No. 121. Tel.: 01 48 87 75 91.
A.P.C. An outlet for the hip A.P.C. label’s simple, well-made basics for men, women and children. 
No. 112. Tel.: 01 42 78 18 02.

ToolsGalerie. A design gallery selling both one-of-a-kind and limited-edition productions of the work of such well-known designers as Marcel Wanders, Hella Jongerius, Radi Designers and Olivier Sidet. 
No. 119. Tel.: 01 42 77 35 80.
NeC Nilsson et Chiglien. Classic Scandinavian furniture and ceramics. 
No. 117. Paris. Tel.: 01 42 77 88 83.
Galerie Xippas. The light-filled rooms of this upstairs gallery wrap around the courtyard housing the Yvon Lambert gallery below. On show until October 22: “Colored Circle Paintings” by British artist Ian Davenport and paintings by Lisa Milroy. 
No. 108. Tel.: 01 40 27 05 55.

Yvon Lambert. This leading contemporary art gallery, one of the first to set up shop in the neighborhood, has expanded to include a bookshop and “project room,” which is now showing Mario Maffei’s works on paper. No. 108. Tel.: 01 42 71 09 33.

Bault. A tiny boutique selling MarielleThiebault’s handmade women’s clothing and Makabu’s vintage and new clothing decorated with intricate embroidery and collages made with everything from bits of rice bags to scraps of fur. 
No. 106. Tel.: 01 42 78 61 49. 
E-mail: bault@tiscali.fr

Maud Perl. The designer Maud Perl’s elegant, pricey women’s clothing in jewel-like colors is made from the finest fabrics – mostly silk, with some cashmere. 
No. 106. Tel.: 01 42 71 30 87.

Laurent Daniel. Industrial antique furniture and lighting, with everything from filing cabinets to a factory trash bin (possible laundry basket?). 
No. 106, 75003 Paris. Tel.: 06 83 22 03 75. E-mail: laurentdaniel@wanadoo.fr

Vanessa Bruno. The designer known for her handsome, wearable clothes will open a new shop on the street at the beginning of November. 
No. 100.

Galerie le Troisième Oeil. Currently showing paintings by Brazilian artist Gianguido Bonfanti. No. 98. Tel.: 01 48 04 30 25.

For a nearly complete listing of Paris’s contemporary art galleries, with exhibition info and dates of openings, pick up a copy of the excellent Paris-Art magazine in a gallery or consult its Web site at www.paris-art.com.

Anna Kaszer
16 rue de Turenne 75003 04 42 71 51 10
Designer of women’s clothing, handbags and fashion accessories.

Shine
15 rue de Poitou 75003 Paris
01 48 05 80 10

Nocollection
96 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris 
01 40 26 58 82

Crea concept 
2 bis rue des Rosiers 75004 Paris 
01 42 74 18 69

CH.IND
117 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris 
01 42 74 05 70

BGN
21 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75004 Paris 01 42 72 22 73
A very feminine line of clothing.

A la Bonne Renommée
26 rue Vieille du Temple 75004 Paris 01 42 72 03 86
A Japanese influenced collection of women’s wear, fashion and home decorating accessories

Regina Rubens
15 rue Pavée 75004 Paris 01 44 54 07 04
A very feminine line of clothing whose Moroccan tunic will be enjoyed by adults and children alike!

Issey Miyaké
3 place des Vosges 75004 Paris 01 48 87 01 86
The latest Haute Couture collection for women and a few Haute Couture items for men.

Pleats Please
3 bis rue des Rosiers 75004 Paris 01 40 29 99 66
Every month the boutique invites a fashion designer and presents his or her unique line of clothing inspired by Issey Miyake ‘s unique pleats.

A-Poc
47 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75004 Paris 01 44 54 07 05
Issey Miayké’ s innovative line of clothing.

Barbara Bui
43 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris
You will delight in the soft colors and elegant patterns of this very feminine line of clothing.

Irena Gregori
11 rue Ferdinand Duval 75004 Paris 01 44 59 33 98
A Polish designer’s collection of very feminine clothes and jewels.

Ventilo
11 rue de Sévigné 75004 Paris 01 44 54 09 82
10 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris 01 40 27 05 58
Women’s casual apparel infused with an ethnic touch.

A.P.C.
112 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris 01 42 78 18 02
A line of clothing with a street-wear touch whose black denim pants are already a celebrity must-have.

Zadig & Voltaire
42 rue de Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris 01 44 54 00 60
20/22 rue de Turenne 75003 Paris
Stock 22 rue du Bourg Tibourg 75004 Paris
A couple of French designers who work with cashmere to create clothes with a sportive touch.

Custo Barcelona
Rue des Rosiers 75003 Paris
A line of clothing with graffiti-inspired colors and style.

Erotokritos
99 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 01 42 78 14 04
Le Marais is the place where this luxurious brand has decided to open their newest boutique.

Celis
72 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris 01 48 87 52 73
To make you feel like a child again. Finger puppets, hats, mittens and fancy, colorful sweaters, all hand-made by this “knitting designer”.

FOOTWEAR

Heschung
11 rue de Sévigné 75004 Paris
01 42 71 33 68 
Elegant footwear for man and woman, a french trademark from Alsace.

Parallèle
2 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris 01 42 72 97 94
Elegant and feminine footwear.

Sprint
8 rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris 01 48 87 30 76
A wide selection of sportive footwear.

Camper
Rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris
Fancy and colorful footwear.

Birkenstock
16 rue de Sévigné 75003 Paris 01 40 27 96 99
The original Birkenstock “footbed” in many different styles of sandals and shoes.

HAND BAGS SHOPS

Jamin Puech
68 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris
Designer handbags, purses, wallets, etc. that are both fashionable and practical.

Satomi
11 rue du Perche 75003 Paris 
01 44 61 07 46

Sans Arcidet collection paris
117 rue Vieille du Temple 75003 Paris
01 42 72 10 04
http://www.sans-arcidet.com

MILLINER

Sandrine Bourg
31 bis rue des Tournelles 75003 Paris 01 48 87 19 32
Vintage millinery items that will take your breath away.