For the artists, who are in love with soft pastels, and suddenly are in Paris I can suggest two places for visit.
First is the “La Maison Du Pastel,” which is located on a small street close to Pompidou. This store works only 4 hours per week, on Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm. So plan the visit ahead and don’t miss your chance. Here is little of information about the company from their own prospect.
And now, please imagine yourself to be the artists, living in Paris in the 19th century. You are opening the glass door into small room, putting your hat on a hanger and asking stuff to help you find few greens pastel sticks for your palette. And now the magic begins. One by one wooden trays with colorful pastels are appearing in front of you. Pastels are sorted by color and tone. You may try any stick you want, or ask about the quality of the brand and the process of creation. There not many people in the store, everyone is interested in conversation or in mesmerizing colors in front of them. Despite the pretty high price for the pastel I was not able to leave that place without two small sets of reds and violet halfs.
The second place to visit in Paris is Sennelier store.
There are not only soft pastels here, but also oil pastels, paint, brushes, paper and other useful materials for the artists. The store itself is small and cozy, it has narrow spaces, old wooden shelves and handwritten item descriptions. The Sennelier store located on Quai Voltaire on the river Seine.
I guess that everyone knows the brand Sennelier, but few words of history from their page is here too:
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Have fun in Paris!