Merci 概念店

And so we arrive to the final post about my recent trip to Paris for the Design Week. As mentioned in one of my previous posts, today I’d like to tell you about my visit to Merci, a wonderful concept store in Le Marais. Chances are you’ve already seen a million photos from Merci, particularly of the iconic red Fiat in the courtyard which you can probably recognise in a heart beat even if you’ve never been there. Or was that just me?

There is definitely no shortage of crazy love and articles written about this retail gem. So who am I to resist, right? Exactly! In fact, if you’ve ever consulted to any kind of Paris design guide, it is more than likely Merci was top of the list of places to visit. And there is a number of very good reason for this.

Merci opened it’s doors in 2009 by Marie-France and Bernard Cohen (who previously created a hugely successful children’s clothing brand Bonpoint). Apart from the lovely three-storey retail space full to the brim with charming products ranging from stationery, perfumes, clothing, furniture and home-wares, the store has a beating heart and a wonderful story behind it – all profits from the sales are donated to a charity which looks after socially disadvantaged children in Madagascar. Many of the new and vintage pieces for sale were donated by designers (think Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, YSL etc.) also willing to wave their profits for a good cause.

In addition to the retail space, Merci is also the home to a restaurant and used books cafe (photos below) – a great place to get a salad or a fresh meal which will be a welcome change from the crazy super-rich French food dripping with butter. Don’t get me wrong – I friggin’ looooove butter, but the French seriously take the piss and after a while all I want to do is curl up, admit defeat and treat my poor belly to some lighter food.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is this – if you’re ever in Paris, just visit this place, ok? You won’t regret it.

Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

[All images © yellowtrace.]