Shopping Paris: A Girl’s Own guide

Searching for something special to send back home or for your petite maison? Look no further than the Artist’s Market in the Bastille. Every Saturday, a hundred or more stalls, with around 300 artists, line the Boulevard Richard Lenoir, from the Place de la Bastille up. I learned about this market from Isaqua, a talented painter I’d met three years earlier when my mother bought me one of her beautiful watercolors of the Pont Neuf as a Christmas gift. A few months ago, I walked out of the Meurice and straight into Isaqua, who had her easel set up beneath the arcades. We’d only met once before but remembered each other well, and I was interested in buying more of her art for gifts. Unfortunately, Isaqua wasn’t there the day I went to the market, but I found many other things to keep me happy. You’ll find art, sculptures, pottery, clothing, and some gorgeous jewelry for great prices. Top of my favorites list are Agnès Leblond, who specializes in glass and crystal jewelry, and Valerie Beilles, who makes jewelry as well as unique clothing pieces. You could easily spend an afternoon happily wandering around here, soaking up the friendly atmosphere. One artist even offered us a hot chocolate to keep away the winter chill, and many others were sharing their lunches on card tables. Le Marché de la CréationBoulevard Rochard Lenoir, 75011 Métro: BastilleEvery Saturday, 10.00-19.00 Got a Ming of your own? Then Chat-Bada is the place for you. This tiny store in the Latin Quarter is packed with accessories for cats and the humans who love them. For my own moggies, I scored solid Melamine dishes in the shape of a cat’s face for only €12 each, and I want to go back for the toaster. Then there’s the t-shirts, socks, scarves, sculptures, bags, clocks, jewelry, coffee cups, and much, much more. Expect a warm welcome, lovely gift wrapping, and people of like minds; when I was there, a young guy rushed in, grabbed a coffee mug and gushed, “J’adore mon chat!” And yes, I do believe he was straight. Just French. Chat-Bada23 bis, rue des Ecoles, 75005Tel: 01.43.54.27.86Métro: Cardinal LemoineOpen every day 11.00-19.30 It only makes sense, considering I live in the City of Lights, that I would fall in love with the electric guirlandes you see all over the place. Some look a little dorm-roomish, but not those at Via Motif. This California-based company, whose products are available widely throughout the US and Canada, moved into Saint-Germain just over a year ago, and has attracted a lot of attention with their crisp, Asian-inspired design. I’m a big fan of their Line Lights, which comes in 20 different designs. Prices range from €38 for the galvanized metal up to €120 for the organza. Yes, I know, but they really are elegant and add warmth to your home. If lights aren’t your thing, then check out their woven pandan boxes and trays for organizing your office with style. And their coffee tables double as storage space–perfect for those small Parisian spaces. Via Motif74, rue Mazarine, 75006Tel: 01.43.29.17.30Métro: Odéon And now for the neighborhood-nosh tip. If you happen to be in the 17th arrondissement–and why wouldn’t you be? It might be quiet compared to other parts of Paris, but it’s a great neighborhood–pop into Casa Roma at 63 av. de Saint-Ouen. It’s no Phillipe-Starck-inspired haven–in fact, you can easily spend most of your evening trying to work out what the hell they were thinking, with the vines painted on the wall blending not very subtly into the Michaelangelo ceiling–but you’ll forget that when your meal is plonked in front of you. This is good, hearty food at a price that’s not going to give you heart failure. The ticket last week, for a kir, sausage pizza, tiramisu and cappuccino came to around €15. You’re not going to find any up and coming Ducasses lurking in the kitchen, either, but the guys who run the show are friendly and accommodating, and if you smile sweetly, you might just end up with a complimentary Frangelico to see you on your way. Good news: they’ve got some great vegetarian choices and the pizza can be ordered to go. Casa Roma63, av. de Saint-Ouen, 75017Tel: 01.42.26.48.82Métro: Guy Moquet (take the Rue Lamarck exit and it’s right across the street) Can’t make it to Paris right now? I feel your pain, and have got something to make it all better. This beautiful book comes in at almost 1000 pages, and features quotes and texts from many French celebrities, amongst them Alain Ducasse, George Sand, Sonia Rykiel and Victor Hugo. But the real draw is the stunning photographs by Max Derhy. A lot of familiar places shown, but many others are obscure and will go straight on your list for discovering when you’re in town once more. Sorry, available only on the Amazon France site, and the €13 postage fee might put you off, but hey, it’s cheaper than a flight. (And the book weighs at least 2 kilos.) Paris, released by Assouline€42.25 on Amazon, €45 in storesISBN: 2843236428 I have no qualms in admitting I’ve got a bit of a thing for firemen, especially those Paris pompiers in their short shorts and silver helmets. I’d like to say it’s purely as a support gesture that I buy their fundraising calendar whenever possible, but really, you need to see the photos to truly understand. I picked up this year’s today from some pompiers outside BHV, who were most accommodating, if a little bemused, when I asked them to hold my cat’s leash while I got out my wallet. If you hurry, you can get a calender, too; indulge in a little flirting while (seriously) supporting a very worthwhile cause.