Marin Montagut’s Paris
Published on 3 July 2021
As well as being an artist, illustrator and object designer, the multi-talented Marin Montagut is also a poet of the everyday and an ambassador for the French lifestyle. Nostalgic for a postcard-style Paris, he takes us by the hand and leads us off on a romantic stroll from Saint-Germain-des-Près to the impertinent streets of suburbia.
How long have you been living in Paris?
It’s already been 18 years!
I have a real passion for Paris. When I was 19, I decided it was the place for me. I chose the city.
Where would you say is the ultimate spot to get a real feel for the city?
Each time I cross the pont Neuf on my Vespa, it’s as though I’m doing it for the first time! The bridges in Paris have a magical way of making you feel like you’re travelling back in time, and they still make me feel like a tourist even after living here for 18 years.
Which places do you find most culturally inspiring?
The flea market in Saint-Ouen. I go there every weekend, and it’s a place where time has stood still. Every era rubs shoulders with the next, allowing your imagination to truly run wild. The Vernaison market is like a mini village bursting with amazing finds, and the Paul Bert market is a veritable treasure trove full of inspiration from bygone days.
Which restaurant or café would you say best captures the Parisian vibe?
“Le Temps des Cerises”, a restaurant that’s hidden away in a tiny street in the 4th arrondissement. It’s a minuscule bistro, where regulars head to enjoy a quick flick through the day’s papers. The decor is like something out of a New Wave art film. They serve sausage and mash just like our grandmas used to make. Upstairs, there’s a magical room that’s like a tiny apartment nestled beneath the Parisian rooftops...
Which neighbourhood instantly springs to mind when we say “Shopping in Paris”?
Saint-Germain-des-Près, for its eclectic patchwork of tiny shops. The neighbourhood is like a living postcard, and it’s an amazing place to while away the hours aimlessly strolling around and snapping up gorgeous finds. Its tiny streets, its art galleries, place Furstenberg, and, of course, rue Madame where you can pop in to see me!
Do you have any secret addresses you’d care to share?
La Graineterie at the Aligre market, just a stone’s throw from my place. It’s a shop that hasn’t changed at all over the years and still has all its 1950s Formica fittings. It’s a kind of little grocery store, where you can pick up pepper from all over the world, all kinds of seeds and even antique crockery!
Where is the best place to stay for anyone keen to explore the city?
I’d say L’Hôtel de l’Abbaye, rue Cassette in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s a tiny hotel that’s hidden away in a courtyard on a quiet street, and is without a doubt the most charming hotel you’ll find in the heart of Paris. It has a bijou garden with an enchanting fountain in a secluded spot at the back of the building, where you can enjoy a drink or grab some lunch, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel.
Which design piece can only be picked up in Paris?
One of my Parisian souvenirs, of course! Hand-painted glass to remind you of one of your favourite Parisian streets, a porcelain Eiffel Tower to take a piece of Paris home with you in your suitcase, a Saint-Germain-des-Prés cushion or a hand-painted plaque to hang on the wall depicting the streets of Montmartre... You’ll find all that in my shop at 48 rue Madame.
I LOVE PARIS…MORE THAN EVER, IN SEPTEMBER!
From Thursday, September 9th through Monday, September 13th, come wander the aisles of your Maison&Objet Paris fair to unearth future best-sellers before everyone else, to discover new collections, and make professional contacts that can make all the difference, or meet up again with partners you've been missing. And through September 18th, with Paris Design Week, let us guide you through the heart of Paris on a design tour full of marvelous discoveries.