Paris Diaries: La Rentrée – The Best Stationery Shops in Paris

Back to school? There’s no one who does it quite like the French.

While the rest of us might be feeling a little melancholic about the end of summer, in France September brings something rather more exciting: La Rentrée.

Literally meaning “the return”, la rentrée is the French tradition of heading back to school, work and everyday life after the summer holidays. But, naturally, the French manage to make even going back to school look effortlessly chic.

New notebooks. Beautiful pens. Fresh pencils. Paper goods you absolutely don’t need but simply must have.

And if you’re looking for inspiration for your own French-inspired back-to-school shopping, we have a few recommendations.

On our last trip to Paris in May, we went in search of some of the best stationery shops in Paris – from traditional French papeteries filled with beautiful papers and calligraphy supplies to more contemporary boutiques where you can find the perfect notebook.

Because if there’s one thing the French understand, it’s that the things you use every day should be beautiful.

1. Mélodies Graphiques

First on our list of the best stationery shops in Paris is Mélodies Graphiques, a gorgeous boutique that has been delighting stationery lovers since 1986.

This is the sort of Paris stationery shop where you can easily walk in intending to buy one pen and leave with notebooks, pencils, cards, beautiful paper and a new-found obsession with calligraphy.

It’s particularly lovely for anyone who appreciates traditional writing and beautifully made stationery. Think calligraphy pens, pencils, notebooks, cards and paper goods – all displayed in a way that makes you want to touch absolutely everything.

Our only warning?

You may spend a lot of money here.

But then again, perhaps la rentrée is the perfect excuse for a little stationery indulgence.

2. Papier Royal

Next on our Paris stationery shopping list is Papier Royal.

More than just a stationery shop, Papier Royal combines a boutique with an in-house printing and engraving atelier, making it a particularly lovely place to find something personal and unique.

One of our favourite ideas is having your initials or monogram added to your stationery. There’s something wonderfully luxurious about seeing your own initials on a beautiful notebook or piece of correspondence – and it makes even writing your weekly to-do list feel rather more glamorous.

Then comes the hardest decision of all: choosing the pen.

The perfect pen can make you want to write letters, start a journal or finally begin that novel you’ve been promising yourself you’ll write.

3. L’Écritoire

Unfortunately, our visit to L’Écritoire was strictly window shopping because the queue to get inside was rather impressive!

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from our travels, it’s that a queue outside a Parisian shop can be a very good sign.

L’Écritoire is a family stationery shop that has been in Paris since 1975 and specialises in all things writing: pens, inks, wax seals, notebooks, writing paper, calligraphy supplies and beautiful cards.

So while we didn’t get to browse properly this time, it’s firmly on our list for our next trip to Paris.

Sometimes the queue is the recommendation.

4. Calligrane

Just down the street from Mélodies Graphiques, on Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, you’ll find Calligrane.

With a more modern feel, Calligrane focuses on beautiful, high-quality paper, stationery and paper art. The shop has a particular emphasis on unusual and carefully selected papers, making it a wonderful stop for anyone who appreciates the finer details of stationery.

If you’re searching for a unique notebook in Paris, or simply love beautiful paper, this is the sort of shop to explore.

You know the type of notebook we mean: so beautiful that you almost don’t want to write in it.

We’ve all done it.

Buy the gorgeous notebook. Put it somewhere safe. Then continue writing your shopping list on the back of an old receipt.

The French Art of La Rentrée

There’s something rather lovely about the French approach to back to school.

La rentrée isn’t simply about returning to the classroom. It’s a moment to reset, get organised and start afresh. And what better way to do that than with a beautiful new notebook and a pen you genuinely love writing with?

Perhaps we could all take a little inspiration from the French this September.

Buy the beautiful stationery. Sharpen the pencils. Write your to-do list in your best handwriting. Make the everyday feel like an occasion.

And Then There’s Le Goûter...

Of course, no French school day would be complete without le goûter.

Traditionally enjoyed at around 4pm, le goûter is the much-loved French afternoon snack – a little pause between school and dinner and one of the sweetest rituals of the day. Often something simple and delicious, it might be bread and chocolate, biscuits, fruit or cake.

And while we can’t promise that a macaron was in every French schoolchild’s lunchbox, we think there’s always room for a little French-inspired indulgence.

Because what could be more perfect for le goûter than a delicate, delicious macaron?

For your own French back-to-school moment, why not make 4pm the sweetest part of the day with a selection from Mademoiselle’s Favourite Macarons – a collection of some of our most-loved flavours, from classic French favourites to modern combinations.

Choose a favourite flavour, share a box with the family or, if it’s been one of those days, keep them all to yourself. We certainly won’t tell.

After all, every Mademoiselle deserves a little moment of luxury after a busy day.

Bonne rentrée!

And, of course...

Bon appétit.

Bisous,
Mademoiselle Macaron 🇫🇷

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