moving to Paris - insider help please

[medtech_expat]

Yup, heading back to Europe and will move to Paris in the next 8-12 weeks. While I’ve been a frequent visitor, my trips have been primarily for work and I haven’t had much opportunity to properly explore since school days. There have been a number of “visiting” Paris threads with recommendations for shoes (e.g. Dimitri Gomez, Corthay, Carmina, Aubercy, etc.), menswear shops (e.g. Arnys) and the like, but I would be extremely interested to learn more about relatively “under-the-radar” local artisans along the lines of Anthony Delos and Duret... any hidden gems much appreciated.

Other areas of interest:

•\tBest alterations tailor
•\tBest dry cleaner
•\tBest shoe cobbler
•\tOrganic/gourmet food shops
•\tBest antique markets
•\tBistros (don’t need the Michelins-starred, but neighborhood places for weekly eats)

I would also welcome suggestions for neighborhoods to consider. My office will be in the 13th arrondisement right off the Seine (metro line #6), and I’d prefer a metro commute ideally less than 20 minutes with no more than one line transfer. Am initially considering the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th arrondisements, but those seem somewhat predictable choices and I’d appreciate recommendations for specific neighborhoods. I’m single (whether girlfriend moves is TBD) and have a reasonably flexible budget. Also, I’ll have a company car, so even though I don’t expect to drive on a daily basis, parking would be a consideration.

Heading out next week for the househunting trip. Thanks, SF - and special thanks to RJMan & vox for their valuable suggestions thus far.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Congratulations on the move. I have no worthwhile suggestions for you, but I do look forward to reports from Charvet, Cifonelli, Delos etc.

 

[edmorel]

Good luck E, you'll be closer to Mina now

, wish I could help but haven't been familiar with Paris for about 15-20 years now.

 

[w.o.e.is.me.]

wow. sounds like you're living the dream.
I'm excited about checking out Corthay during my visit.

 

[ThinkDerm]

would love to hear about your experiences with duret. would also like to let you know about abp for watch straps.

 

[SpooPoker]

Antique markets, without a doubt the Clignacourt. Heres a thread on it, but trust me, you could spend every weekend there for a year and still come up with new stuff in December. Amazing, amazing stuff. Good luck on your new journey!

 

[Wes Bourne]

Originally Posted by medtech_expat

Best shoe cobbler

Dunno if they're the best, but iirc Atelier Cattelan is well regarded on teh French shoe blogs.

*edit: eat here at least once.

 

[binge]

I may have a few days business with colleagues at Bibliothèque nationale de France in the fall; if so, I'll be sure to swing by for lunch.

 

[medtech_expat]

Thanks for the kind wishes, fellas. Am looking forward to getting back to Europe so give a shout whenever you come over. Any good intel on reliable dry cleaner and/or alterations tailor?

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

I have no worthwhile suggestions for you, but I do look forward to reports

Planning to hit Carmina and Corthay in between apartment visits, will post pics.

Originally Posted by ThinkDerm

would also like to let you know about abp for watch straps.

Thanks, have had very good experiences with ABP, posted pictorial here.

 

[PiedBeau]

Here's a few trusted cobblers :
- Dominique Barilero, 5 rue AmÃ

lie, 75007 Paris
- Pascal Carnot, 100 boulevard Brune, 75014 Paris
- Oum Sack, 64 rue Blomet, 75015 Paris
- Mesut Yaprak, 30 rue Delambre, 75014 Paris

 

[bapelolol]

Bump. Any other recs for :

• Best alterations tailor
• Best dry cleaner
• Best shoe cobbler
• Organic/gourmet food shops
• Best antique markets
• Bistros (don’t need the Michelins-starred, but neighborhood places for weekly eats)
“under-the-radar” local artisans

 

[Galix]

If you like tea, Mariage Frères is da place. They have several locations around the city, you can check them on their website: http://www.mariagefreres.com/

My favorite is called "ThÃ

à l'OpÃ

ra"

 

[comrade]

Neighborhood suggestion: Area near Parc Monceau, 8th Arondissment.
My daughter lived there in the 90s when she was studying in Paris.
It's a quiet elegant area and the "Parc" is a treasure.

 

[Chrenetique]

Best dry cleaner: Pouyanne. But it's ultra expensive (65 euros for a whole suit). Two addresses here: http://www.pouyanne-teinturier.fr/contact.html

Another one, not as good obviously, but still very good, and cheap (8 euros for a jacket), is the Chinese dry cleaner of "Pressing Le Marois", 57 avenue La Fayette, 75009 Paris.

"Simone Teinturerie de Luxe" also has a strong reputation among luxury enthusiasts (I never tried her). 163 rue de Charenton, 75012 Paris. http://www.simone.fr/

For cobblers, my favorite is Dominique Barilero (5 rue AmÃ

lie, 75007 Paris), who comes from John Lobb... He's fast, good, not so expensive, and sells the best crepe soles IMO.

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by bapelolol

• Bistros (don’t need the Michelins-starred, but neighborhood places for weekly eats)
Which neighborhood? I ate in a few good ones recently in the Canal St Martin area.