Knife Shopping and Sharpening in Paris: Recommendations From a Chef

Kaspar Metz

A trusty knife is the best accessory a cook could ask for. Without a good knife, our handiwork is useless. Sharpening your knife is absolutely essential and even if you buy the most expensive, beautiful knife, it’s not going to get the job done effectively if the blade is not tip-top sharp.

As a chef, I always travel with a good knife for catering gigs and have even been known to travel with my knives on vacation. Because who wants to get stuck without a knife or, even worse, with a bad knife? Knives are an extension of our arms in professional kitchens and if you are caught with an unsharp knife or a maimed blade our work becomes ten times more challenging. Even for a home cook, a good knife will see you through the toughest of times.

Photos By 夏天

Below is a list of my favorite knife stores in Paris, organized by smaller boutiques, cooking specialty stores, and large department stores. You’ll most certainly be able to find any kind of knives you need in these stores, from pocket blades to a good kitchen battery.

If you need help brushing up on your knife skills, or haven’t the slightest idea how to cut like a true professional, La Cuisine Paris has begun offering a Knife Skills Course* in English. You’ll learn how to take care of your knife and give it a long-life, including tips on sharpening and washing, as well as how to chop like a master, and make three different dishes. The best bit is that you’ll get to devour all your hard work at the end of class!

La Cuisine Paris – Knife Skills Courses* are held on Monday afternoons. 80 quai de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris. +33 (0)1 40 51 78 18.

*no longer available

Japanese Knife Company / Do8y

The Japanese Knife Company also provides a thorough Knife Sharpening Course using Japanese stone blocks, which is the most effective and long-lasting technique to keep your knife in excellent condition. Courses are 50€ each and well-worth their price, as it will maintain your beloved knives for the rest of your life and can be passed down from generation to generation. What budding chef wouldn’t appreciate a vintage Sabatier knife?

Japanese Knife Company – 13 rue de Cotte, 75012 Paris. Monday – Friday 11:00 – 19:00, Saturday 10:00 – 19:00, Sunday 10:30 – 14:30. +33 (0)9 84 44 89 31.

La Cuisine Paris / Japanese Knife Company

SMALL STORES

Coutellerie du Marais

Traditional knife store that specializes in knives coming directly from the Aveyron region. You can even get a traditional barbor’s shave in the store!

6 rue du Pas de la Mule, 75003 Paris. Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 – 19:00, Sunday 14:00 – 19:00. +33 (0)1 48 87 46 88.

La Grande Coutellerie Claude Dozorme

Specializing in 100% French-made knives, you’ll be able to find a treasure-trove of different shapes and sizes.

11 rue Tronchet, 75008 Paris. Monday 14:00 – 19h30, Tuesday – Saturday 9:45 – 19:15. +33 (0)1 42 65 36 78.

La Grande Coutellerie Claude Dozorme

Laguiole

The classic little bumblebee on the Laguiole knife handle is a sign of quality throughout the world.

35 rue des Deux Ponts, 75004 Paris. Monday – Saturday 10:30 – 19:00, Sunday 14:00 – 19:00. +33 (0)1 43 29 10 57.

La Trésorerie

A Swedish interior design store that will make any modern cook’s heart sing.

11 rue du Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris. Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 – 19:30. +33 (0)1 40 40 20 46.

COOKING STORES
E. Dehillerin

Julia Child’s favorite cooking accessories store located in the historically gastronomic Les Halles region of Paris. Heaven is a place on earth.

18-20 rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris. Monday 9:00 – 12:30 / 14:00 – 18:00, Tuesday – Saturday : 9:00 – 18:00.

Mora

Mora, around the corner from E. Dehillerin, has a few more modern gadgets and more baking equipment in the back of the store. Baking moulds galore!

13 rue Montmartre, 75001 Paris. Monday – Friday 9:00 – 18:15 , Saturday 10:00 – 13:00/ 13:45 -18:30. +33 (0)1 45 08 19 24.

A. Simon

If you’re looking for knives, pots, pans, and dishware, A. Simon is a lovely option.

48 rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris. Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 19:00. +33 (0)1 42 33 71 65.

La Bovida

A great selection of knives, as well as modern cookware on two floors.

36 rue Montmartre, 75001 Paris. Monday – Thursday 9:30 – 19:00, Friday 9:30 – 19:30, Saturday 10:00 – 19:30. +33 (0)1 42 36 09 99.

Photos By 夏天

DEPARTMENT STORES

BHV

The Bazaar Hotel de Ville has a beautiful knife selection and all the kitchen gadgets you’ll ever dream of.

52 rue de Rivoli, 75189 Paris Cedex 4. Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 20:00, Sunday 11:00 – 19:00. +33 (0) 9 77 40 14 00.

GALERIES LAFAYETTE

Stop by their ingredients and grocery section to chop everything up with your new knife.

40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris. Monday – Saturday 08:30 – 21:30 , Sunday 11:00 – 19:00.

Printemps Maison

Visit their brand new kitchen and home design floor. Uber fancy.

64 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris. Monday – Saturday 9:35 – 20:00, Sunday 11:00 – 20:00. +33 (0)1 42 82 67 16.

Related Links

• Interested in cooking classes? Check out our experience with The Parisian Kitchen.
• Read more about E. Dehillerin over at The Kitchn.
• For the best cookware shops in Paris, head over to David Lebovitz.

Written by Lise Kvan for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.