Art Supplies:
I had longed to visit Sennelier for many moons and last October, I got my wish. Established in 1887 by Gustave Sennelier and still run by family members, this classic art store seems to cram more merchandise into tall but very narrow space than most others I've visited. And it's good product.
The sketchbooks are by Hahnemuhle and Fabriano (among others) and while they do carry Golden paints, which I like very much, I was there for the Sennelier brand of juicy watercolors in a palette so big, I could hardly decide!
They are noted for their pastels, which Sennelier created especially for Edgar Degas including 30 shades of browns that the artist used from a collection of 700 colors. His grandson, Henri, later created oil pastels, specifically at the request of Pablo Picasso, in 1948.
There are any number of art stores in Paris, but this one ticks both the art and the history boxes.
English-Language Books
Visiting Paris, want a book but unable to read French? Not a problem!
A short walk east from Sennelier and you will find the legendary Shakespeare and Company with its selection of English language books and a long and fascinating history. There were actually two Shakespeare and Company bookstores. This is the second, which opened in 1951 on the banks of the Seine near Place Saint-Michel. (The first closed long ago.)
Among those who called it home were Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, James Baldwin, Lawrence Durrell, Bertolt Brecht and many others.
George Whitman had modeled his shop after the original, owned by Sylvia Beach. Originally named The mistral, Beach herself gave Whitman the name of her shop to use for his.
On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, Whitman renamed his store "Shakespeare and Company," describing it "a novel in three words."
Look about! Type a bit on a vintage typewriter, imagining who else might have sat at this very spot.
Then soak up the atmosphere of the Tumbleweeds, writers, intellectuals and artists in need of a bed who were invited to sleep among the shop's shelves.
Their payment: They must read a book each day, assist several hours in the shop a day and write a one-page autobiography.
Even if you're not into book shopping, take a peek in here!
Bread
Man does not live by bread alone, but one could live rather awhile on a two-kilo loaf from the renowned Poilane Boulangerie.
Located at 8 rue du Cherche Midi in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, this is the sight of the original Poilâne, which opened in 1932. It is still considered the bakery's flagship store.
The bakery's original owner was Lionel Poilane who used stone ground flour and a wood fired oven. The shop also offers several types of bread and some delicious shortbread cookies. (Yes, I've had both the bread and the cookies!)
His son, also Lionel, continued the business, keeping largely to traditional methods with the exception of machine kneading.
There is a second Poilane on boulevard de Grenelle as well and one can arrange for tours. (We didn't do this, much to Rick's chagrin!)
The company is currently run by Apollonia Poilane, who holds her degree from Harvard University.
Music
Let's just say that you are traveling with a classical guitarist who wants to maybe, just possibly, buy a new guitar while in Paris. And, if not that, at least some sheet music.
If so, the place to go is Rue du Rome area (Europe metro). There one will find numerous spots to entice the musician, whether looking for music or, say, a guitar!
Of course, there are more than shops for luthiers in the area. You could find a piano, a violin, brass instruments.
Some pretty heavy hitters have walked into these rooms and looking at the memorabilia on many shops walls is almost as much fun as shopping. (OK, if you don't happen to be the musician, it's more fun!)
Most of these shops are small and the proprietors are more than happy to let you try out the instruments ...
...or give you a little performance themselves.
It's the best free entertainment in town!
Of course, you can find, books, music, bread and art supplies in loads of places on Paris' streets. Enjoy!
47 comments:
I've never been to Paris and would love to do ANYTHING there!
There is no place like Paris, I've heard it said all my life and through your blog I've become a true believer. That art store and book shop would keep me entertained for hours. Being in a place that made paints for such great artists would give me chills!
Your shopping collection is brilliant. It definitely brings back memories of a variety of shopping I've done, especially my strange quest for Mona Lisa parodies. That took me to various sellers of ephemera, post cards new & old, and used books, as well as to the occasional flea market. Since we lived there, I also shopped the supermarkets, the boutique specialists in cheese or produce, the open-air markets, and above all the pâtissiers and chocolate-makers. I also loved a particular book store that specialized in cookbooks.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I am always just fascinated when I come here about the wealth of knowledge you have gained in your travels! I would so love to see Paris some time in my life. I am especially fascinated by the book store and could probably spend a whole day there.
Have a wonderful Sunday and enjoy the day- xo Diana
You brought me into the inside . . .
I hope my lifetime will hold a Visit to Paris.
Wonderful post Jeanie!
Such cool things you were able to do.Bread being my downfall I bet I would love that bread shop for sure.
What wonderful shops. I'll look for them next time!
As a rule I am not into shopping but the book store and the bakery could lure me in. And even though I don't play guitar, I would have loved to have the proprietor play for me, I am not sure whether you left your heart in France or England, Jeanie; perhaps half in each.
It must have been a blast for your to browse the Parisian art stores! What a history of the Shakespeare and Company stores with those visitors. The bread shop must smell amazing. It certainly looks delicious. Your post makes me want to go back to Paris someday!
Loved visiting the many shops via your tour. Being half French myself, Would be awesome to visit in person. Thanks for showing off the city of lights and the city of love.Janice
What an adventure! Thanks for the tour.
Well, this was very interesting and I learned alot! My favorite---the last picture. The fire engine-red storefront, the interesting things clipped to a line in the window, drawing you in, wondering what is inside?...the umbrella person curiously looking in and the shiny wet street on a rainy day. Love pictures like this that tell a story! Hope your weekend was nice and restful and peaceful my friend!
It must´ve been total heaven for the two of you :-)
Pre amazon it was so hard to get English books. When I was 14 I went to London and got Charlotte´s Web. Friends nagged me, I´m a nerd for reading in English by own will and not because the teacher told me to...
1995 we send a whole load of books via ship to Germany from Australia. Crazy!
These days you click and bam, have it on your kindle. And still... people here read and watch everything in German. Colleagues sent me their rare English e-mails to check before sending them to the customer.
But my French... oh... lá... pas bien non plus ;-)
All wonderful places to visit! Have a good week, hugs, Valerie
There are so many colors for painting in that store!!
Ms Jeanie, the Harvard alumnus breads look so great.
The bookshop and art store would be enough for me.
Wow 700 colours of pastels, how to choose from such a variety?
The round bread looks a lot like the Portuguese corn bread, same shape and all, which is my favourite too.
I've enjoyed the trip to Paris Jeanie.
What a delicious post Jeanie. I understand how much it means to finally visit the shops and stores of dreams. On one of my early on visits to Paris my mission was also looking to purchase art supplies for my gifted painter sister and daughter-in-law. I found just what I was looking for. Another trip the mission was going to Quippier to the home of French Faience! Wow, did I love that. Also, the charming Quimper shop in Paris (no longer there). I know the thrill you felt and the overwhelming decisions for your selections. I see Rick had his moment as well. Hope he enjoyed his expierence as much as I know you did. One of my favorite spots to visit always is Shakespear and Company. Our first visit we enjoyed the shop, finding the bed to sit and read. Wow, still can't believe we were so fortunate to enjoy the experience. Going back for another scroll. Happy Fourth Jeanie and Rick.............
What a delicious post Jeanie. I understand how much it means to finally visit the shops and stores of dreams. On one of my early on visits to Paris my mission was also looking to purchase art supplies for my gifted painter sister and daughter-in-law. I found just what I was looking for. Another trip the mission was going to Quimper to the home of French Faience! Wow, did I love that. Also, the charming Quimper shop in Paris (no longer there). I know the thrill you felt and the overwhelming feeling about decisions for your selections. I see Rick had his moment as well. Hope he enjoyed his expierence as much as I know you did. One of my favorite spots to visit always is Shakespear and Company. Our first visit we enjoyed the shop, finding the bed to sit and read. Wow, still can't believe we were so fortunate to enjoy the experience. Going back for another scroll. Happy Fourth Jeanie and Rick.............
What a delicious post Jeanie. I understand how much it means to finally visit the shops and stores of dreams. On one of my early on visits to Paris my mission was also looking to purchase art supplies for my gifted painter sister and daughter-in-law. I found just what I was looking for. Another trip the mission was going to Quimper to the home of French Faience! Wow, did I love that. Also, the charming Quimper shop in Paris (no longer there). I know the thrill you felt and the overwhelming feeling about decisions for your selections. I see Rick had his moment as well. Hope he enjoyed his expierence as much as I know you did. One of my favorite spots to visit always is Shakespear and Company. Our first visit we enjoyed the shop, finding the bed to sit and read. Wow, still can't believe we were so fortunate to enjoy the experience. Going back for another scroll. Happy Fourth Jeanie and Rick.............
Loved Sennelier!♥
Gah, I miss Paris so much! They are so good about having specialized shops that are frequented by the citizens of and visitors to Paris. I like how they have meat shops, cheese shops, bread shops, etc. It's a different approach to go to a specialist but it makes a difference in the quality of food! Of course my favorite kind of shop to frequent is one that sells macarons. I went to a different shop on each day of my trip when I was there in November 2013. It was tough to pick a favorite, though!
Jeanie, what a feast for my shopping eyes this morning! Music, books, and bakery shopping are three faves for me and then add the lovely art shop is a perfect quartet. Thanks for sharing this most gorgeous post!
I have been to Shakespeare and Company. I would love to wander around that art store!
I was just thinking of using Shakespeare and Company for a Paris in July post. We were there in May.
I'll be with NanaDiana in the book shop! Niece lives in the 19th Arr ~ need to go visit her!
I would have wanted to do the bakery tour, too! That bookstore looks amazing! Thank you for the tour.
What an incredible way to start the Paris in July posts. You hit all the right notes, and colored the post with your beautiful photos. Great job, dear Jeanie.
I love those loaves with the quill and the book on them.
This one is a keeper for my France research/info...if we ever get to France...no, not if...BUT WHEN! Oh and yes, I could happily live on bread alone. :)
So many charming shops in Paris, Jeanie. Nel would love that book store, and I think I would stay awhile in the bakery shop and look at all the breads and jams. Were the shortbread cookies good? That's one of my favorite cookies for sure. I bet you loved browsing through the art supply shop. Thanks for giving us a peek at some of the shopping in Paris, Jeanie. It was a fun post, and interesting.
~Sheri
I've never been to Paris. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. The breads look so delicious. I'd love to browse around that art store and the book shop.
I've never been in Paris. I always see the picture of Eiffel tower, and some fashion. You really show us the other Paris also. Love the pictures.
I've never been in Paris. I always see the picture of Eiffel tower, and some fashion. You really show us the other Paris also. Love the pictures.
Jeanie, you are unbeatable in writing absolutely gorgeous meaningful interesting intelligent and well researched posts, and your precious photographs make them even more excellent - chapeau!
Brilliant and beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Jeanie. Thanks for posting this. I have never been to Europe. Perhaps some day! So it is fun to travel with you. Love to you and Rick.
Wonderful shops of which my favorite definitely is Sennelier. I love working with their oil pastels. The boulangerie looks wonderful, too (even though I prefer heartier breads than the French ones) and I can only imagine how heavenly it must smell.
Shakespeare and Company I'd love to see someday.
My sister always loves to shop for cooking supplies where Julia Child loved to go. I shall seek some of these out the next time I go to France.
I loved Sennelier. It was a dream for me too. My husband is not a shopper so that was my one real shop years ago in Paris but I can share your joy. Hugs erik
Uma grande e inconfundĂvel cidade a cidade das luzes, aproveito para desejar a continuação de uma boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
If I make it back to Paris I must go to the art store. Love Shakespeare and Co, which is always a stop when traveling there. Have had bread and shortbread from Poilane. Such amazing history in the City of Lights.
Although I have visited France, I've not been to Paris. This was such an interesting post, and I did enjoy your photographs too.
Love the look of the book store, I would like to spend time in there!
All the best Jan
Oh what delightful memories . I've been to Poilane (several times actually, their chausson aux pommel/apple turnover is incredible), and naturally have been to Shakespeare and Co a few times as well. I love walking past there and people watching. I've travelled down Rue de Rome, and seen all the music shops but not been there. Great post. Thank you.
Admittedly, I have fallen behind in reading blogs but so enjoyed this multi-faceted view of things you and Rick saw and enjoyed in Paris. We also hope to visit one day and now have more reasons to do so and the bookstore and bread wewre my favorites in this post.
Jeanie, always fun to read your posts - you take us on the trip with you. I dont think I would look for art supplies in Paris, but my partner loves his miniatures, and would definitely seek out Parisienne markets for little things.
Pure DELIGHT to re-visit these FAB places with you, Jeanie... Sennelier and that bakery would be tops on my list. ;) Bread and art--how would be live without those?! ((HUGS))
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