A little red Fiat loaded with plants in the courtyard at Merci, 111 Bd. Beaumarchais, Paris. My lovely friend Di Overton and I visited Merci and were struck by its intriguing mix of merchandise and innovative design.
Marie-France and Bernard Cohen, founders of the children's clothing boutique Bonpoint, decided to put their retail skills to good use, while raising funds for charity. Proceeds from sales at Merci go to aid poor women and children in Madagascar.
The view from the second floor.
The store's main entranceway. The large loops on either side of the door are radiators, from the building's days as a factory.
A book-filled cafe.
A tall stack of paperback books.
Red chairs.
Bottles made of recycled glass.
Chandelier constructed of wire and clay beads.
Vintage crystal chandelier.
Painted wooden tables, with paper-covered tops.
Vintage grocery sign.
Mid-century folding webbed fabric and metal chaises.
Lawn chairs from the '50s and '60s.
An antique iron garden chair.
Old steel school lockers.
A wirework birdcage filled with pigeon lights.
A child's bed on a ledge.
A clothesline displaying summer essentials.
Merci spelled in twigs and wire. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Take the metro to Saint Sébastien Froissard.
P.S. I am in Amsterdam for a few days. Back soon with photos and stories.
Those images of the car has given me a giggle. I am also completely in love with the bed and clothesline images. Wow!!
Posted by: Relyn | 06 July 2009 at 01:32
I love that garden car - and those pigeon lights! Oh and the twiggy letters too. What an amazing place that must be...
Merci for sharing Merci with us!
xo
Posted by: tinker | 05 July 2009 at 08:44
oooh!! Amsterdam! We must go there, too!
How do we get there from Paris?
Those pigeon lights... FAB!
Posted by: Chris | 01 July 2009 at 23:41
What a shop!! I love every corner of it...the pigeon lights, so fabulous...
thank you soooo for this tour!!
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | 30 June 2009 at 20:26
I think Paris is always a wonderful place to be at so full with unconventional stuff, it is just amazing.
Posted by: Antique Cabinet | 30 June 2009 at 17:48
What a wonderful space Tara. And such an eclectic collection. I love all the items you photographed, but was drawn into the pidgeon lights. :)
Posted by: dana | 30 June 2009 at 15:17
What an amazing space! And I love the book filled cafe. I hope they raised a lot of money for their cause.
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 29 June 2009 at 19:08
I loved the photo of the store's entryway ~ with those inviting
light and shadow details
such delight 'shopping' through your images and words
(and not spending a penny which is marvelous!)
love you! have fun on your trip:)
Posted by: maddie | 29 June 2009 at 16:54
what a fabulous shop ~ and thanks for sharing your {as always} fantastic photography! so wish i could join you for a visit there. xo!
Posted by: studio wellspring | 28 June 2009 at 21:26
i love the old steel lockers and hope you're having a glorious weekend in amsterdam...
Posted by: julochka | 28 June 2009 at 12:47
Beautiful and inspiring.
I saw Di's photos of Merci. Thank your for posting your great photos too.
Hope you are having a wonderful time.
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 28 June 2009 at 00:00
Visual overload!!! I love it all!!!!!!
Posted by: Yoli | 27 June 2009 at 04:19
A feast for the eyes yet again, Tara. Thank you!~
I think I'm in love with that garden chair, and the old school lockers.
Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam! Can't wait to see your photos and talk to you.
xox
Posted by: Gillian | 26 June 2009 at 14:43
et ...merci pour ce post Tara! I just love what the Cohens are doing here...totalement inédit businesswise and so so generous of them!
Posted by: my castle in spain | 26 June 2009 at 10:05
Hi Tara
Just back from Oxford (found a shop you would just LOVE) and saw this. Now, how did I know your pictures were going to be a million times better than mine? You have captured the essence of the place brilliantly. Have a Gold Star my dear :)
Posted by: Di Overton | 26 June 2009 at 10:04
Merci for all this fabulous viewing of fantastic Paris! It makes me jump for joy!
Posted by: pam aries | 25 June 2009 at 23:50
Fascinating place. Those twigs remind me of a business in my home town that a young couple started. They take things from nature or architecture that form letters, put them in pictures that spell people's names and sell them for beaucoup moolah! Now, why didn't I think of that! I really like those little painted tables. You have given ideas as how to spend my summer evenings. Thanks!
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 25 June 2009 at 19:57
Everything fab....but the lighted pigeons and MERCI in twigs just made my day. Merci for the most excellent shopping trip!
Posted by: Helen | 25 June 2009 at 18:17
So cool! Is it wrong, though, that the cafe and the book shelf gave me a little high? lol!
:)
Posted by: amber | 25 June 2009 at 17:52
Fabulous!
Posted by: re | 25 June 2009 at 17:37
Merci bien, mon ami! I like two or three of the photos; the rest are ok. I had only one lens with me (and no filter) so a bit too much sunlight for the courtyard photos. - T. xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 25 June 2009 at 17:28
Yea - you're coming to Paris again! It will be great having you here. xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 25 June 2009 at 17:26
You're not the only one, Barbara! My parents had those yellow (and green ones) lawn chairs when I was a child. :)
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 25 June 2009 at 17:25
You made my day! I have to say, though, that I have some of those 'mid-century' webbing and metal lawn chairs in my 'garage' ... old friends, eh?
Posted by: Barbara | 25 June 2009 at 17:20
OMGoodness! You have managed to stump me! I don't even have words for the wonderful, wonderful post.
EXCEPT~ your photography is kick *ss on here!!! These photos are glorious!
xo : )
Posted by: Christina | 25 June 2009 at 17:01
I am not much of a shopper, but I am definitely coming to this store when I am in Paris next summer! I already have a few items picked out! (Like the pigeon lights. They are just perfect for the bird cages hanging in my garden!) Thanks for posting these photos, Tara. I LOVE THIS SHOP!
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 25 June 2009 at 16:50