1. This old-fashioned storefront in the Marais has earned its vintage appeal: founded in 1920, A la Ville de Rodez has been a staple for people homesick for the Aveyron for generations. The region, known for dishes like aligot, Roquefort cheese, and excellent charcuterie, is present in Paris thanks to this shop.
2. Shopping caddies are a staple throughout Paris (I’ve got one myself, thanks to Little Sister). But if you look a little closer, you’ll see that this one in particular is a mail caddy… and it’s parked in front of the local wine shop.
3. Until the 19th century, the idea of a common heritage wasn’t really present in the French mindset, and a lot of historic buildings were mowed down and replaced for the sake of modernity. Luckily, France now has a firm grasp of the importance of patrimoine, which is why this art shop’s mosaic sign remains despite the fact that the store now sells sporting goods.
4. This store specializing in sweets from the North of France is older than the French republic.
5. In a classic tale of arriving just a moment too late, this man quickly put out his cigarette because he thought he was ruining my photo of G. Detou, one of Paris’ best restaurant supply stores near the former Les Halles market. Little did he know that leaning against the storefront and smoking would have made this image the most Parisian one I could fathom.