Variantes is one of the three specialist shops in Paris where you can get anything that you want, related to the fantastic game of chess. We do not exaggerate when we say you can get ANYTHING. They have playing boards of all sizes and materials. Professional ones, amateur ones, wooden, plastic, glass, metallic… And any auxiliary gadgets that you may think of, including clocks, boxes, and all kinds of books that you may need to improve your skills. The shop is just off the Latin Quarter and also sells all kinds of board games, cards, and related gadgets.

I went there looking for a chess game to take with me on holidays and ended up buying one which is made of foldable PVC which you can roll into a small tube, and carry in your luggage, together with a soft bag where I keep the chess pieces during the trip.