Merci in Paris

I'm happy to be able to share a fresh new shop tour today on decor8, this time in Paris, and the store is called Merci shot by fabulous Australian photographer Jillian Leiboff. If you've ever needed shop suggestions for Paris it's quite likely that Merci was suggested to you as an absolute go-to source for all things interior-related. As you scroll down, you'll soon see that Merci is a gem, the Liberty of Paris or so I've been told. But first, a little Merci history... Lots of us suggest is to friends but do you know much about it? I did some research and discovered that there is much more than beautiful things in a gorgeous environment, Merci has a beating heart - it's a store with a story and a soul. Merci Shop Tour

Marie-France Cohen (who is sister of the late Annick Goutal from the prestigious perfume brand of the same name) developed concept shop Merci in 2009 after the success of her lovely children's brand called Bonpoint which has been around for over thirty years. In her sixties now, Ms. Cohen could have decided to keep everything comfortable after selling Bonpoint but instead, she decided to play a game of chance and open up shop again - only this time, a totally new concept and Merci was born

Merci has a cafe with walls of books to browse as you eat (you can buy them for between €3-10 each), a cafeteria, fresh flowers, clothing and lots of interiors accessories, furnishings and lighting. Merci is flooded with light, 1,500 square meters in size (around 15,000 square feet) with 10 meter high ceilings and loaded with inspiration at every turn. What makes Merci and shopping there even more special, in addition to the obvious beauty and selection, is that it is the only store where 100% of the joint profits are donated through a foundation to associations that help women and children in Madagascar, a country in which Merci and Marie-France Cohen has developed a special alliance.

Merci also works regularly with brands like Isabel Marant, Azzaro, Stella McCartney, Kris Van Assche, Paul Smith and others to create a unique piece to be sold there 30-40% less than in their shops.

A mix of old, new and commissioned work, Merci ("thank you" in French), is definitely on the top of my must-see list when I'm in Paris next month. When my friend, photographer Jillian Leiboff, was there recently on vacation, she photographed the store and so all of these pictures shown were shot by her to share on decor8 and I'm so grateful for her lovely work - thank you Jillian! Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

 

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Store Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Store Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Store Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Store Tour

Merci Store Tour

Merci Shop Tour

Merci Store Tour

Isn't Merci just grand!? What are your favorite must-see shops and restaurants in Paris so I can visit some of them?

Merci is located at: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, Tel: 01 42 77 00 33, Métro station: Saint Sébastien-Froissart.

More beautiful photos of Merci (the store changes constantly so it looks a little different now as the photos above show.)

(images: jillian leiboff)

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