There is no shortage of advice on the internet about how to morph into a Parisian. Open TikTok and you’ll find thousands of videos of women wearing bold red lips and berets explaining French weight-loss hacks or showing you how to trim your fringe like Jeanne Damas. But very few are actually qualified to advise you on French lifestyle tips- especially how to cut your fringe. Put the scissors down.
However, there is probably no one more qualified to make Parisian lifestyle recommendations than Sarah Andelman. Andelman is the creative director and founder of Colette, the iconic Parisian concept store that was located on the city’s Rue Saint Honoré. Andelman is curating the Art Basel shop in Paris, which promises bespoke lifestyle products that celebrate the Art Basel experience. This includes limited edition streetwear, accessories, functional design objects, and collaborations with artists like Nina Childress and Claire Fontaine.
Always keen to hear an expert’s opinion, we turned to Sarah Andelman for advice on where to shop, drink, and eat whilst in Paris. We’ll be following these recommendations next week. See you in the 7th arrondissement?
Let’s say that our reader has just arrived in Paris. Exhausted after the 6 AM Eurostar, they need a quick fix. Where should they go to grab a coffee and a pastry?
If they are only looking for coffee, I suggest Café Nuances. But if they are looking for a pastry, too, they need to visit Tapisserie av Motte Piquet. Both of these are wonderful—and not too far from Le Grand Palais! Otherwise, they can visit Telescope.
After people-watching in Le Marais for a few hours, our reader is overcome with the urge to throw out their suitcase of clothes and buy an entirely new wardrobe. What neighbourhood are you directing them to?
Ah! I am sending them to the 6th-7th arrondissement, near le Bon Marché.
Where is the best bookstore in Paris?
It would have to be Shakespeare & Company, Galignani, or Delamain.
What about art books?
Librairie Yvon Lambert of course! However, you should also make sure to visit OFR and 7L.
Which museums have the best merchandise?
Musee Rodin and Lafayette Anticipations.
Where can our readers buy the best wine?
They HAVE to visit Folderol. And they also have to buy ice cream there too!
What about skincare?
They should check out the Augustinus Bader in the Palais Royal shop designed by Harry Nuriev, Officine Universelle Buly, and, of course, Dover Street Market Parfums.
Furniture, bed linens or homeware?
For bed linens, Noël and Vis-A-Vis. For furniture, Galerie Kreo and India Mahdavi. For homeware, La Romaine Editions and Waww La Table.
Where can our reader pick up a trinket to take home?
What about a magical find at a Sunday morning flea market?
You can always find something magical at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen.
Can you tell me a little bit about AB by Artist?
It’s an exciting collaboration process. For each city, we feature a new artist. We develop bespoke items that naturally align with these artists’ work. Each collaboration remains a very limited edition made exclusively for the five days of the fair.
How has Claire Fontaine’s work been translated into products for the shop? What was this process like?
It’s very organic. We spent a lot of time discussing how it would work. We both proposed some ideas and then we found the suppliers that we needed. For Claire Fontaine, of course, the message ‘FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE’ is essential and became signature after Venice. However, we also wanted to include other iconic works like ‘France is Burning’ in a poster or the ‘PATRIARCHY = CO2’ slogan on an apron or sweatshirt. We also re-issued some of their previous editions, like the caps with the slogans ‘I do it because it’s right’ and ‘It’s right because I do it.’ Plus, a new Rubik’s cube. I’m particularly proud of the Clairefontaine notebooks as it’s really perfect to be able to present Claire Fontaine x Clairefontaine !
Which of the products in the store do you own?
Some Semiose colouring books. But I will own a lot more once the store opens! I am really excited about the level actually.
Which of the products have you gifted to loved ones?
The Robert Indiana snowball, the Art Basel caps and heavy canvas tote bags. They have been a big hit.
Words by Emily Burke
