Studio-Carton, Ma ressourcerie

A hop and a skip away from the dwarfing mall on la Place d’Italie, this secretive little den offers an altogether more interesting shopping experience. The family-run Studio-Carton operates on the simple premise that trash can be turned into treasure with a little imagination.

The idea is that you bring unwanted items – belts, bike tyres – out of which a team of resident artisans then build chairs, jewellery, furniture, whatever. These are then put on sale alongside ‘conventional’ second-hand items (we picked up a handful of retro vinyls for €3 apiece, and a dress for a paltry €4). As well as yielding some uniquely charming curios, this concept is intended to raise awareness regarding waste disposal and recycling. The venue doubles up as a workshop where the public are invited to brush up on their knitting and DIY.