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Emily Dilling

HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Maison Sarah Lavoine, an interior design haven.Maison Sarah Lavoine – Francis Amiand

When the archetypical concept store Colette closed, loyal locals and tourists alike mourned the end of an era. The 1st arrondissement shop was a Paris institution as well as a trailblazer in the world of concept stores- becoming the example that all others were measured against.

While die hard fans will argue that nothing will ever replace this innovative space and business model, the unique combination of shopping and indulgence that Colette offered can still be found in the capital.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite spots to shop and dine to our hearts content:

HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes, like the airy and light café at La Trésorerie (left) with its glass counter full of delicious cakes (right).
One of the best home design concept stories in Paris is La Tresorerie for the variety, and it even has a café.La Trésorerie – Julie Ansiau

La Trésorerie

This trendy housewares shop features products that are almost exclusively sourced from Europe, with at least 30% of their stock made in France. La Trésorerie focuses on items made using renewable, natural resources such as cotton, linen, terra cotta, and glass. Kit out your kitchen at their shop, which is located a stone’s throw from Place de la République, and stay for lunch at their Swedish inspired restaurant Café Smörgas.

The Broken Arm is one of Paris' best concept stores where you can buy everything from cotton t-shirts (left) to stationery (right).
HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes, like at The Broken Arm, which does great coffee (left) and fresh sandwiches (right).A toasted sandwich at Paris concept store The Broken Arm (left) and the bright and light interiors with school-desk tables (right).Broken Arm – Diane Yoon

The Broken Arm

When The Broken Arm opened in 2013 it was one of many cafés leading the first wave of the craft coffee revival in Paris. What set this small coffee shop and lunch spot apart were its simple yet inventive cuisine paired with select brands in an en suite clothing and accessories boutique. While the original chef Linda Granebring has since left, the menu remains fresh and compelling at this see-and-be-seen café and the clothing selection next door is equally as original.

HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Merci in the Marais, with its stone exterior, hidden in a courtyard (left) and its fresh juices from the cafe (right).
Inside Paris concept store Merci, where you can shop for clothes to home design items.
Merci is one of Paris' best concept stores where you can buy the latest in fashion apparel.HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes, like at Merci, with its slick black tables and chairs in warehouse style surroundings (left). Baskets and shoes for summer at Merci concept store in Paris (right).Merci  – Palmyre Roigt

Merci

With the closure of Colette, Merci has taken the place of the city’s most well loved concept store. It’s unofficial mascot, a cherry red FIAT 500 parked in the courtyard, is as iconic as the Eiffel Tower for Parisian fashion fiends. It’s almost too easy to spend an afternoon here, with three floors of fashion, housewares, and featured designers to discover and three unique restaurants to choose from. Grab a coffee and a snack at the Used Book Café, or have a no fuss lunch at Le Cinéma Café vegetarians will love the fresh pressed juices and plant-based options at La Cantine.

HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Merci, where the walls are lined with second-hand books.
HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Merci, which also has a restaurant that looks like a brasserie with red leather banquettes.Merci  – Palmyre Roigt

Maison Sarah Lavoine

Located on the chic Place des Victoires, Maison Sarah Lavoine features home décor and furniture by the French designer. Enter a world of striking colors and geometric shapes and find a hidden café amidst textiles and shelves of beautiful objets. This rising star of the interior decorating world is behind some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and cafés, so it seems only fitting that she open her own!

HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Maison Sarah Lavoine with its Danish-inspired decor of blue tables and patterned wallpaper.
HiP Paris Blog rounds up Paris' best concept store cafes like at Maison Sarah Lavoine, where you can also buy cosmetics and jewelry (left). The chic table setting of graphic lines and bold colors at Maison Sarah Lavoine cafe (right).
A showroom of cozy blue couches at Maison Sarah Lavoine home interior store in Paris.Maison Sarah Lavoine – Francis Amiand

Steel Cyclewear & Coffee Shop

High fashion takes a back seat (or saddle) at Steel Cyclewear & Coffee Shop where the worlds of cycling and caffeine collide. Browse streamlined biking gadgets and gear and enjoy an espresso sourced from locally roasted beans from Belleville Brûlerie.

Colorful socks with zany patterns at Paris concept store Steel Cyclewear (left). Outside Steel Cyclewear Paris concept store cafe with a chalkboard menu (right).
Inside one of Paris' best concept stores, Steel Cyclewear sells everything from bikes to socks and also has a cafe.Steel – Jean Marie Heidinger

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

The muffins and chocolate brownies at Steel concept store in Paris (left), and the casual seating area at the concept store's cafe (right).Steel – Jean Marie Heidinger

WRITTEN BY

Emily Dilling

Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.

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