When I ran my retail business, I had cause to travel to Paris on a regular basis and no matter how many visits I made, I never tired of the city, it’s people, its architecture, its cafes and its stylish shops, the latest being Merci.

Conceived and clearly cherished by Marie-France Cohen, Merci is a 1,500sq m light-filled shop set in a former wallpaper factory.   The space is filled with flowers, books, both old and new, flee-market finds and one-off objects made especially for the store by a host of designers, artists and creative people, keen to collaborate and give something back through this entirely philanthropic project, with all monies going to charities connected with children.  Marie-France Cohen set up and recently sold the chic children’s wear brand Bonpoint and is saying thank you, for all it has given her.  Her success will benefit children in the poorest countries and at the same time give us an opportunity to see  what creative minds can achieve free of financial constraints;  a welcome change in a world of mass market, global brands.

the courtyard of the beautiful building that houses merci.

the secondhand book corner where one can browse freely whilst sipping freshly brewed coffee.

love the knitting and needles but want the bag even more.