Hello guys! It’s been a while since my last post!
I’ve just gotten back from a short vacation in Paris, Amsterdam and Copenhagen and can’t wait to share some of the design shops I’ve visited in this trip :)
In our previous trip to Paris last year, we were so busy visiting the museums and all the famous sites (oh well, that was our first ever holiday in Paris… and how could we give up the Eiffel, Notre Dame Cathedral and The Louvre etc), I had to give the Merci a miss due to time constraint.
Second visit to Paris, we were much more relaxed this time, and finally made our way to the well known Merci concept store located in the heart of the trendy neighbourbood of le Haut Marais.
Merci is a general goods store founded by Bernand and Marie-France Cohen (the couple behind the luxury children’s clothing brand Bonpoint). It is a charitable concept store, which all the proceeds are going to children charities in Madagascar. The store was opened in 2009, housed in a sunlit lofty building converted from an old wallpaper factory and has since listed as one of the top places to visit in any kind of Paris design guide. I have probably seen a million pictures of Merci store in Pinterest and read numerous blog posts about this chic, eclectic store, but still felt really excited when I saw the iconic red fiat in the courtyard!
Walking through the paved courtyard and stepping into the store, you’ll find a rotating exhibition. Right now they are having an installation of cloud-like structures, floating above the collection of household cotton sheets. It was really very pretty!
The ground floor and the half floor up has menswear, womenswear and accessories; as well as the Aesop and Annick Goutal boutique.
The upper floor is a heaven of curated vintage furnitures and new pieces, dining accessories and stationaries; all arranged so tastefully that you would really want a home like this.
Moving downstairs is where you can find kitchenwares, gardening tools, lightings, storage and The Merci Canteen which opens into a small garden.
After visiting the retail space, we went to its Used Book Cafe to grab some scones and coffee for brunch. A very intimate and cozy space and we really enjoyed our time there.
So if you’re ever in Paris, don’t forget to drop by this place!
Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
Directions: Get off Saint Sebastien Froissart station (line 8) and walk on the Blvd.