Domino Shopping Effect
It took a surprisingly long time to happen considering its proximity to the heart of the boutique-saturated Marais, but the “upper” Rue Vieille-du-Temple (between the Picasso Museum and the Cirque d’Hiver) has finally blossomed into a center for chic clothing shops and galleries specializing in design and contemporary art. On days when the galleries are holding openings, the street swarms with artsy types who are sometimes more colorful and interesting to look at than the artwork.
Here’s a door-to-door survey of the street’s retail topography, starting at the Cirque d’Hiver end. A detour on Rue de Poitou and Rue Charlot leads to more trendy shops and galleries.
Oneninesixone. Young designer Gaëtane Raguet refurbishes teak furnishings from the 1960s and covers them with her own low-key, retro-style fabric designs, creating a handsome mix of old and new. The shop also offers lamps, vases and objects by other designers whose work complements hers.
No. 135. Tel.: 01 42 72 50 84.
E-mail: oneninesixone@freerags.com.
Web: www.oneninesixone.com.
Abou d’Abi Bazar. Women’s clothing with an exotic twist – feminine and frilly but chic, at fairly reasonable prices.
No. 125. Tel.: 01 42 71 13 26.
Web: www.aboudabibazar.com
Centre Culturel Mexicain. The gallery of the Mexican Cultural Center, one of the pioneers in the neighborhood, presents works by Mexican artists. On show to Nov. 19), “Telenovellas,” photos by Stefan Ruiz.
No. 123. Tel.: 01 44 61 84 43.
E-mail: ccmexfr@wanadoo.fr.
Web: www.mexiqueculture.org.
Bernard Bouche. Contemporary art gallery, currently showing the minimalist paintings of Antonio Calderara (to October 22).
No. 123. Tel.: 01 42 72 60 03.
E-mail: info@galeriebernardbouche.com.
Web: www.galeriebernardbouche.com
Galerie Rabouan Moussion. This contemporary art gallery is currently showing Russian artist Kirill Chelushkin’s “Snow People” installation and paintings (to Oct. 6).
No. 121. Tel.: 01 48 87 75 91.
E-mail: rabouanmoussion@noos.fr.
Web: www.rabouan-moussion.com
A.P.C. An outlet for the hip A.P.C. label’s simple, well-made basics for men, women and children.
No. 112. Tel.: 01 42 78 18 02.
ToolsGalerie. A design gallery selling both one-of-a-kind and limited-edition productions of the work of such well-known designers as Marcel Wanders, Hella Jongerius, Radi Designers and Olivier Sidet.
No. 119. Tel.: 01 42 77 35 80.
E-mail: lb@toolsgalerie.com
NeC Nilsson et Chiglien. Classic Scandinavian furniture and ceramics.
No. 117. Paris. Tel.: 01 42 77 88 83.
Galerie Xippas. The light-filled rooms of this upstairs gallery wrap around the courtyard housing the Yvon Lambert gallery below. On show until October 22: “Colored Circle Paintings” by British artist Ian Davenport and paintings by Lisa Milroy.
No. 108. Tel.: 01 40 27 05 55.
E-mail: gallery@xippas.com.
Web: www.xippas.com
Yvon Lambert. This leading contemporary art gallery, one of the first to set up shop in the neighborhood, has expanded to include a bookshop and “project room,” which is now showing Mario Maffei’s works on paper. In the main gallery (to October 20) are a fascinating video installation by Christian Marclay and photos by Anna Gaskell.
No. 108. Tel.: 01 42 71 09 33.
E-mail: paris@yvon-lambert.com.
Web: www.yvon-lambert.com
Bault. A tiny boutique selling MarielleThiebault’s handmade women’s clothing and Makabu’s vintage and new clothing decorated with intricate embroidery and collages made with everything from bits of rice bags to scraps of fur.
No. 106. Tel.: 01 42 78 61 49.
E-mail: bault@tiscali.fr
Maud Perl. The designer Maud Perl’s elegant, pricey women’s clothing in jewel-like colors is made from the finest fabrics – mostly silk, with some cashmere.
No. 106. Tel.: 01 42 71 30 87.
Laurent Daniel. Industrial antique furniture and lighting, with everything from filing cabinets to a factory trash bin (possible laundry basket?).
No. 106, 75003 Paris. Tel.: 06 83 22 03 75. E-mail: laurentdaniel@wanadoo.fr
Vanessa Bruno. The designer known for her handsome, wearable clothes will open a new shop on the street at the beginning of November.
No. 100.
Galerie le Troisième Oeil. Currently showing paintings by Brazilian artist Gianguido Bonfanti.
No. 98. Tel.: 01 48 04 30 25.
For a nearly complete listing of Paris’s contemporary art galleries, with exhibition info and dates of openings, pick up a copy of the excellent Paris-Art magazine in a gallery or consult its Web site at www.paris-art.com.
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