If you’ve rented an unfurnished apartment in Paris, or are missing some of your favourite household goods, there are several ways in which you can equip your new flat without breaking the bank. Thankfully, there is a wide array of used goods shops and discount stores in Paris that stock everything from socks to strainers. Here are some options to help guide you.
La Ressourcerie rue Léopold Bellan. Photo: François Grunberg/Mairie de Paris
Ressourceries or Dépôts-Vente
There have always been shops selling second-hand (“d’occasion” in French) or refurbished items in Paris, however, over the last few years the City of Paris has made great efforts to encourage these circular economy initiatives. Called either a ressourcerie or dépôt-vente, you may have one near your new Parisian home, otherwise we can recommend these ones. If you’re looking for stores selling exclusively secondhand clothing and accessories, look for a “friperie”.
L’Alternative, 13, rue Léopold Bellan, 75002 Paris: A city hall initiative managed by Emmaüs Alternatives, this centrally located second hand shop also has a Repair café in which a handy local will try to repair broken appliances instead of throwing them out. They also hold workshops and and conferences on up-cycling topics.
Ma Ressourcerie, 126 avenue d’Italie, 75013 Paris: This large three-story shop in Chinatown is run by an association and has a vast variety of items.
La Resourcerie Creative
La Resourcerie Creative, 95 avenue du Général-Leclerc, 75014 Paris: This shop is located not too far from our Paris School. More than a simple shop, the vibrant venue has become a dynamic player in the daily life of the local community.
La Ressourcerie des Batignolles, 132 rue de Saussure, 75017 Paris: If you’ve found a flat in the up and coming northwestern neighborhood of Les Batignolles, then stock up your new place with items from this neighbourhood ressourcerie. A pioneer in the circular economy in Paris, it also has a “cantine solidaire”, which offers economical “anti-waste” meals.
Le Poulpe. Photo: Ville de Paris
Le Poulpe Ressourcerie, 4bis rue d’Oran, 75018 Paris: Another local circular economy association, this time at located not far from Montmartre, gives new life to donated used goods, offers useful workshops and has a café solidaire.
Emmaüs Défi à Riquet, 40 rue Riquet, 75019 Paris: The largest of the Emmaüs used good shops in Paris, this huge shop occupies 1200 m² complex in the 19th district near the Canal de l’Ourcq. It also has a large book and vintage clothing sections.
Emmaüs Défi au 104, 5 Rue Curial, 75019 Paris: This cool art space also in the 19th (more on it in this article), has a Emmaüs branch, allowing you to combine culture and household shopping!
Porcelaine M.P. Samie
Discount New Items
If you don’t find what you’re looking for at them, then there are also a number of discount shops selling household items. Every neighborhood will have a “bazar” a local household goods shopping at reasonable prices. Monoprix and some larger supermarkets also have a household items section. Alternatively, these shops have some good bargains.
Porcelaine M.P. Samie, 45 Av. du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris: Situated not too far from our Paris School, since 1983 this company has been making good value tableware.
Gifi: With seven stores around the city, this discount shop has a large array of good value household items as well as toiletries, makeup and some clothing.