Louvre/Les Halles – Local tips (shopping)

Paris is a bit like the girl you see emerge each day from some beautiful ancient building – immaculately dressed with just a hint of contempt perceptibly emanating from her perfectly painted lips – who, you later discover, lives in some 14m sq chambre de bonne, owns but 5 items of clothing, has no kitchen and shares a bathroom with 4 strangers and twice as many mice. All glamour and poise at first glace, somewhat more shambolic at the second.

And so it comes as no surprise to the Parisians and no small shock to anyone else that such an establishment still welcomes (destruction-hungry) customers through its venerable doors.

If nothing else, the pest shop is very much worth a look for the large quantity of stuffed and variously positioned rats and mice in the window: some strung-up, others mid-trap and even a few poised a hairs-breadth from the sinister looking metal jaws of the murderous device. Be not deterred by the apparently gruesome nature of the display though; for me this shop truly is a wonderful statement in defense of Paris’s loyal attachment to its national traditions and pride in its noble history.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Etablissements Julien Aurouze | Art & culture, Shopping
8 rue des Halles | Louvre/Les Halles | +331404116206
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 18:30

For modern and contemporary art enthusiasts, Pompidou Centre is definitely worth a visit. But, with the National Museum of Modern Art and the temporary exhibitions, a full visit can be very exhausting! That’s why you’ll probably need to rest your neurons by wandering around the Printemps du Design store.

Located in the entrance hall of the building on the mezzanine level, under the vigilance of Georges Pompidou himself (see picture), this store offers all kind of designer objects, from cheap funny office stationery or kitchenware to expensive designer clothes, house furnishings or new technological items. There’s a lot of humour involved in most of the cheap objects, but they are not simply just gadgets, they generally have their own use.

The section for kids also has a great variety, and you can easily find an original gift for your little nephew or niece, or a funny bib for newborn babies.

Most people go there just to have a look, so even if you’re not a shopping addict, it’s always quite relaxing to look and “try” the objects exhibited there, especially after concentrating for a long time in front of the masterpieces displayed in the Centre…

NOTE: Until the March 8th 2010 (and maybe definitively), the store will be located below its usual location on the mezzanine, ie in the main entrance hall, ground floor (near the ticket office).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Printemps du design | Relaxing, Shopping | From € 2.00
Place Georges Pompidou | Louvre/Les Halles | +33144781578
Wed – Mon 11:00 – 22:00