10,000 Spoons When All You Need Is a Knife

Let me preface this by saying this is most useful for south Paris. I live in the 6th and work in the 7th so unfortunately most of my life takes place below the river. I miss north Paris.

Let's say you can't make it to Ikea because let's be real that's like a full day event and you don't want to spend a small fortune at BHV or Galleries LaFayette, but you need some home stuff like ASAP, there are a few stores that can help you in a pinch.

First up in the 7th on the not as nice side of rue Cler you have a store that I believe is called Savant that sells everything. And when I say everything I mean everything. I walked in one day because I needed wrapping paper and they had the most varied selection of stuff I couldn't believe it. Fruit of a Loom tshirts, cups, pans, dog toys, birthday party decorations, shoes, fans, it was a smorgasbord of random. But I'm glad I found it because oddly enough they had the coffee cups I like (those giant latte looking ones). Definitely give this store a stroll through because you will definitely find something you forgot you needed.

Next up is a store across from the Bosquet Grenelle bus stop (heading north). This store sells those old lady trolleys you see everyone at the grocery store with, trash cans, drawers, dish drying racks, everything you might need. They have a varied selection but don't hold your breath for linens. I didn't recall seeing any.

If you want a small selection of kitchenware try the Carrefour at Ecole Militaire. I pop in after work all the time because they stay open until midnight and was happily surprised to find their home section (in the back by the water). They were a little expensive on pans (30€) but they have a large selection of stuff you may not think you need. For some reason French people don't realize a can opener should be in every kitchen.

For a small store dedicated to pillows and blankets, try a shop on boulevard Montparnasse at the corner of Campaign Premiere. They have a few dishes and pans, but mostly they sell storage boxes, pillows, and blankets. It's not as cheap as Ikea but it beats going out of the city.

And for a Monoprix that focuses more on home and less on food, try either the one at Les Goblins (absolutely no food sold here), the one near rue de Bac, or the one on General Le Clerc in the 14th.

If you are north of Paris, you have giant Monoprixs at Saint Augustine, Pigalle, Sebastopol, and Saint Antoine Faubourg (as well a dish store but on the other side at Saint Antoine before Bastille) and a small linen shop on Chateaudun before Notre Dame de Lorette. 

If anyone has any other suggestions, please leave a comment below.

Update: the absolute best Monoprix I have ever found was the multiple locations on rue de Passy. There are 3. One that has pharmacy, clothes, and a small grocery section, the other two are located in Passy Plaza. The one upstairs is called Monoprix Maison, it sells stationary, home and has a cafe, the one downstairs is all groceries. It has the deli, butcher, bakery, sushi, cheese shop, and wine cellar. It's massive and I love that the automated checkout accepts cash. The best part? It stays open until 11pm.