The 100 best shops in Paris – Concept stores
Thousands of quirky gift and clothing ideas
10 brilliant concept boutiques
French Touche
Bags adorn the walls, trinkets sit atop small wooden shelves, and lamps are dotted around the room – French Touche is a shop where one could happily rummage for hours. Nestled in the heart of the 17th arrondissement for the past decade, this 'gallery of touching objects' is one of the first concept stores in the capital (alongside the prestigious and expensive Colette). Dreamed up by the lovely Valérie, it's teeming with original creations: from retro knitted cat badges (Severina
- 1 rue Jacquemont, 17e
Le Centre Commercial
The idea of a commerical centre might not appeal to fans of concept boutiques, but don’t speak too soon – Centre Commerical in the Rue de Marseille (alongside APC, Maje and Claudie Pierlot) will thrill fans of quality fashion. The shop's founders also created Veja, the famous brand of hip, affordable trainers. Sébastien Kopp, one of the co-founders, has embraced a socially and ecologically conscious type of fashion for trendy youngsters; however annoying young hipsters might be,
- 2 rue de Marseille, 10e
French Trotters
The new French Trotters flagship store occupies no less that 200 chic square metres, just down from the road from the old boutique at 116 Rue Vieille du Temple. It brings together all facets of the store that was originally created in 2005 by Carole and Clarent Dehlouz – including trendy bath products (candles, soap and shower gel), linen, furniture and stacks of magazines on photography, decoration, fashion and gardening. But French Trotters’s heart remains in its clothing
- 128 rue Vieille du Temple, 3e
Pop Market
You might not know what you're looking for when you walk in to Pop Market, but you always walk out with armfuls of goodies. Small animal figurines for a nephew, some beautiful stationery for yourself, badges to pin on a jacket or a bright decoration for the living room. This a concept store like many others in Paris, the difference being that it’s large enough for one to spend a good half an hour in without bumping into anyone. You’ll find all the same designers as elsewhere:
- 50 rue Bichat, 10e
La Fausse Boutique
As its name suggests, La Fausse Boutique (The False Boutique) is an unusual spot – half-office, half-retail store. Unlike most shops which find themselves labelled as 'concept stores', it doesn't sell designer clothing or luxury goods in the usual meaning of the terms, but rather focuses on so-called surrealist products. As such, one finds offbeat tourist guides like Paris à Gratter, (modelled on a scratchcard, where you scratch to reveal monuments) and satirical board games like
- 32 rue Fontaine, 9e
Démocratie
Founded in 2011, this multi-brand boutique injects a hint of underground culture into the tourist district of Saint-Michel. Sisters Kimo and Diana took over the former music and bookshop 'Silly Melody', which had been run by Kimo and her father. They have since breathed new life and a new philosophy into the place, modernising it in the style of a London or Berlin concept store.On the ground floor, you’ll find a selection of designer objects and accessories, books and magazines
- 14 boulevard Saint-Michel, 6e
Gals Rock
At the origin of Gals Rock is a group of friends and music fans who spend hours discovering new artists on Myspace. Tired of seeing boys dominate pop, rock and electronica, they decided to focus almost exclusively on women and promote those with talent by any and all means. Their headquarters and launchpad is Gals Rock, opened in 2009, ostensibly a clothing store, but not exclusively: amongst the slogan T-shirts and classy coats, the back room contains CDs and vinyl, a temple
- 17 rue Henry Monnier, 9e
Rocketship
At the limits of what constitutes a concept store, a great energy creates the unity of Rocketship. Plants, lamps, signage, tableware, fine books, vintage furniture from the 50s and 60s: behind each object is a designer whose imagination has caught the eye of owner Benoît Touche, a photographer. The globe-trotter has pulled together creations from artists and artisans around the world: London, Berlin, Sweden, Japan, South Africa and the US. Anglo-Saxon and urban influences are
- 13 bis rue Henry Monnier, 9e
Afwosh
The principle of Afwosh (After Work Shop) is simple: offer pretty trinkets to suit all budgets – from monstre à doigt rings (€2.50) to leather carry bags (€228) and Pac-man shaped speakers (€28.50 each). Launched four years ago by Chloe and Emilie, this shop in the Rue d'Hauteville has earned itself a fine reputation. There are big names here, including the giant of French luggage Nat & Nin, and ready-to-wear fashion (Surface to Air, See you soon), but one can also unearth
- 10 rue d'Hauteville, 10e
Les Fleurs
There are two reasons to walk down passage Josset in the 12th: it’s quaint and off the beaten track; and it’s home to Les Fleurs, a girly boutique extraordinaire that drips with funky jewellery, bags, rococo mirrors and all sorts of gizmos and gadgets for little and grown up girls alike. Owner Lucie Deniset has handpicked little-known, yet confirmed creators (like Nat&Nin, Adeline Affre and Titlee) to create a range of desirables quite unlike elsewhere in Paris – a move that has
- 6 passage Josset, 12e
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