Empreintes: A New Concept Store Dedicated to French Craftsmanship

One of the newest gems of the Haut Marais, the Empreintes concept store is dedicated to fine art. At four stories and 600m2 of floor space, it’s one of the largest concept stores in the city, but you won’t find any kitschy trinkets here. The store was opened by the Ateliers d’Art de France, a syndicate representing and defending the work of crafts professionals in France, with members in over 90 different professions under the crafts umbrella. It functions as a gallery as much as a store, inviting visitors to take in the craftsmanship behind the products as well as offering the ability to purchase them.

Greenery and strands of twinkling lights add character to the bright white entryway. With products ranging from fine jewelry to scarves to tableware to furniture, each floor of the gorgeously lit space has something different to offer. The theme of the products in the store changes every two months, to keep new pieces coming in, keep the range of art and merchandise interesting and give as many members of the syndicate a chance to sell their wares. Everything is made in France, so you know you’re getting a piece that is truly one of a kind.

On the second floor, new Marais favorite SEASON has a small cafe, exemplifying the store’s desire to be more than a shopping destination- it was designed to be a meeting place for Parisians to escape the hectic nature of the city life. The store also plans to launch an online shop in the coming months, to make its products more widely available.

Empreintes – 5 rue de Picardie, 75003. Métro: Saint Sébastien-Froissart. Tel: +33 (0)1 44 01 08 30. Mon – Sat 11am-7pm.

Related Links.

• Check out this great video showcasing Empreintes, which takes a closer look at some of the products available, crafted by the artists of the Ateliers d’Art de France.
• Also in the Haut Marais is Paris’ ultimate concept store Merci, which hosts a great spot for lunch. Check out our review of La Cantine de Merci here.
• For more innovative concept stores in Paris, check out Girls Guide to Paris’ top five.

Written by Emily Jackson for HiP Paris. All photos by Emily Jackson. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven In.