Paris is known for its long boulevards, luxury shops and elegant department stores. However, the city also has many fun little neighbourhoods packed with concept stores, organic eateries and up-and-coming designer shops. Erin Dahl, blogger for HiP Paris, takes you to the best shopping districts in France’s capital city.
Erin Dahl left New York City’s PR world behind to explore the whimsical affair she’s had with Paris since her first trip there as a wide-eyed teenager. Now both Editor of the HiP Paris Blog and Paris Operations Manager for boutique apartment rental agency Haven in Paris, Erin shares her time between Paris and New York City and can be found seeking out her new favourite addresses in both home cities.
When a neighbourhood is granted an acronym, it’s officially on the rise. SoPi, short for South Pigalle, has surfaced as one of Paris’s hippest hubs for food and fashion. Concept shop Sept Cinq features changing jewellery and accessory collections from local designers. Around the corner sits chic vintage shop Célia Darling Vintage, where items are carefully hand selected. And for a tasty post-shopping meal, head to a casual ramen eatery.
The neighbourhood lining the city’s lesser-known waterway is home to some of the city’s top BoBo addresses, making it a go-to for boutique shopping and bites. Workshop and boutique Medecine Douce is a must for simple and stunning jewellery. Seymour Projects, opened by New Yorker Melissa Unger as a place to disconnect from technology and refocus the mind, is found nearby. And when feet start aching (or wallets get empty), pop by Bob’s Juice Bar for a rejuvenating cold-pressed beverage.
Neighbour to the buzzing Marais district, the 11th arrondissement boasts fashionable French brand outposts, vintage shops and fabulous eateries. For a taste of that classically chic and simple Parisian style, visit the FrenchTrotters boutique on Rue de Charonne with ready-to-wear goods for men and women. Take a caffeine boost at Steel, a bike-friendly café and cycle-wear retailer. For a more substantial meal enjoy French fare with a twist at Yard, located near the Père Lachaise Cemetery.
