Unique Art Prints in Paris ⋆ Secrets of Paris

If you’re near the Centre Pompidou, don’t miss the Sergeant Paper Art Store (38 rue Quincampoix, 4th), a concept store which promotes and sells original art prints and screen prints by well-known and up-and-coming artists in the field of urban arts, graphic arts and illustration. They are priced to be accessible, in limited editions signed by the artists.

You can find prints by the internationally-renowned street artists like Shepard Fairey (of “Obey” and Obama”Hope” poster fame), screen prints of music festival posters like the Gallows from Hellfest, and cool vintage-style posters reminiscent of the old French Chemin de Fer publicity posters from the artist Mads Berg.

shephard fairey — *Shepard Fairey art posters with a Rodchenko touch.*

gallow hellfest — *Hellfest poster for Gallows and Mads Berg art print.*

I bought my friend a limited-edition print of an illustration that was originally created by the French artist Cruschiform for the Taschen book Cabins. It’s called Monks Cabin (below).

You can purchase their artworks online to be shipped, or you can pick them up in the boutique. The sturdy mailing tube and certificate of authenticity are included with every purchase. They also sell art books and organic cotton t-shirts, scarves, hats, etc. under their Paris-made brand Sergeant Cotton. Open Tues-Sat, noon-8pm.

As an aside, you should visit the Rue Quincampoix even if you’re not shopping for prints. I have always loved this historic, virtually car-free cobblestone street, almost always calm despite being in the center of Paris. When I was a student in the 1990s I would hang out with my friends at L’Imprévu, a quirky little café and bar at the bottom of the street that has barely changed in 20 years.

When I first got married and worked at ELLE.com I lived right around the corner on the Rue du Grenier St-Lazare, and always preferred taking the Rue Quincampoix to avoid walking through the ugly 1970s modernism of the Quartier de l’Horloge next to it (although I still like the old Défenseur du Temps).

Aside from the Starbucks on the corner of the largest intersection, most of the street remains populated by art galleries, hidden little bars, and specialty shops (spraypaint, craft beer, Japanese calligraphy, nuts).