In the midst of a serious mid life crisis, I’m currently spending a month in Paris. If you’re going to go crazy, at least do it in style!
I’m hoping to find some wonderful fabric and trim stores. So far, I’ve found many high end decorator shops. Beautiful fabrics, but over the top prices. I also hit the flea markets this morning and found some antique lace. But still no dress fabrics.
Any suggestions for cool fabric stores?
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In the Montmartre area, at the the foot of the Sacre-Coeur, there's a huge fabric district. Most of the little shops sell home dec, but there are several large ones which sell garment fabrics.
One is Tissus Reine on rue de Steinkerque. It has four stories worth of fabrics. Dreyfus is right across the street, another biggie with a more informal atmosphere.
A small shop in the same general area, one that has received high praise, is Tissus Dam at 46, rue d"Orsel .
In the downtown area, you might want to look at the second floor (1st etage) of Bouchara. It's on Rue Lafayette, just across the street from the women's Galeries LaFayette (the entrance that's nearest women's hosiery, if I recall correctly). Bouchara's ground floor is a very nice home-dec/linen store, but the next floor is home to some really, really beautiful fabrics!
Enjoy!
Jen, it's ironic you posted this question now, since today I just finished making arrangements for a fall visit to France, including my favorite city in the world, Paris!
I would second the answer from the first responder who suggested the fabric area in Montmartre near Sacre-Coeur, called Marche St.-Pierre, famous for cheap fabrics and patronized by professional designers. A well-connected Parisian friend took me there, and we walked the streets stopping in stores full of home dec and trim. She has six homes, all exquisitely done, and buys much of her home dec fabric in this area. Great bargains, although some of the fabric in the large stores was not of the highest quality. I did, however, find some lovely silk scarves there for a song, and they made perfect gifts for friends back home.
My personal favorite from many years is a gorgeous shop off Saint- Honore, mostly frequented by wealthy patrons who bring their dressmakers: Janssens & Janssens, at 3 Rue D'Anjou, in the 8th. I don't know if their phone is the same, but two years ago it was: (1)42.65.04.00. They are open Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-6:30 PM. There usually is someone there who speaks English or is willing to try. Anne was lovely to me.
They specialize in pricey haute couture fabric, but even for a look-see, it is worth a trip for the inspiration value alone. I always walk past all the other temptations just so I can visit here several times and make a final purchase before boarding a return flight. Last time I fell in love with some printed silk charmuse which has a small amount of gold imprinted on it. They had it in two colorways. When I returned to make my purchase after much careful contemplation, my color preference had been sold, so I bought it in the remaining color.
Just thinking about this place gets me excited. I hope you can find it and enjoy it as much as I have. It's guaranteed to scare away any crises, midlife or otherwise!
Merryll
Hello Jen,
I envy you your spree, and constantly think of doing the same myself! Have you tried the district below Montmartre? I'm sorry I don't know the name of the streets off-hand, but it's considered the garment district, and when I was there last year, there were a lot of funky bright-colored things. There were some home-furnishing things there as I recall, but other stuff too. I don't have time just this second to look up the area, but will have sometime over the weekend...if you don't find it first. Would love to hear if you discover anything interesting!
Maida
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