I was just lucky enough to spend "a trinity" of big events in Paris - my 50th birthday, Christmas, and New Year's - nearly a whole month in Paris - the stuff of dreams!
While strolling past the Bouquinistes de Paris in the winter chill, I realized I needed to take shelter. While heading for a nice cuppa cocoa, I stumbled upon this absolute treasure chest, quite by chance. Today, let's take a P'Niche peek at a perfectly Parisian haven for writers, Mélodies Graphiques...
The charming (and astoundingly talented) proprietor, Eric de Tugny had been at the helm of operations of Mélodies Graphiques for nearly 3 decades.
While his skillset came to him through his mother (herself a papeterie owner), as a wink from the universe, his handwritten journey began when he met a woman who was in search of a calligrapher to handcraft invitations for her son's upcoming nuptials.
Putting pen to paper (and himself up to the crafty challenge), the rest is, as they say, histoire...
These days, aside from occupying a magnificent wonderland of a storefront, he keeps busy with as many as 1800-2000 handwritten invitations at a clip - truly, write (oops, quite) the undertaking!
In a world where texting, emojis, and time sensitive messages prevail, the art of the written word seems a mere memory, lost to time.
In Mélodies Graphiques, however, what was old is new again, where the team lovingly recreates this art of old.
Tasks can include everything from event stationary to reproductions for cinema - Eric even had the chance to be engaged to recreate a letter for a movie - that letter being from none other than le Marquis de Sade! P'Niche blushes to think of it...
Given that handwriting is such a personal and unique affectation, one can only imagine the work that went into capturing the essence of the man there - as well as so many others.
Sine 2015, the shop has been under the devoted care of lovebirds Giacomo Nottiani and Hitomi Takeuchi, where they expanded the space to include an incredible array of marvels.
More than that, the shop lives and breathes calligraphy and craftsmanship. At any time in the space, you can see cards and items come to life in their hands...
Everything (and I mean everything) you could want for the art of handwriting and handcrafting projects can be found here. It's truly a feast for the eyes and spirit.
With an enormous array of fountain pens, nibs, inks and colors, stationary, note cards, 3-dimensional cards, vintage ink bottles (worthy of the Porte de Vanves flea market).
Your imagination and creativity will absolutely take flight!
Not only that - you can select from a gorgeous array of vintage stamps, seals and embossers, with enough colors of wax to fulfill any creative need you may have.
Gorgeous gift wrap, whimsical ornaments, paperweights, trinkets, hand crafted (on site) journals, one of a kind vintage finds, etc. are all begging to be taken home with you.
Handmade postcards spin on a carousel, in a smooth turn of non touristy finds.
I grabbed so much loot that I am not even embarrassed to admit that I also had to grab one of these charming canvas sacks to get it all back to my apartment. Hashtag, worth every euro!
In Paris and wish to get your crafty shop on? Wonderful!
Mélodies Graphiques
10, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004
Métro: Pont Marie (Line 7)
Saint Paul (Line 1)
Hours: Sunday - Closed
Monday: 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday - Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Have just a little more time to spend? Yay!
You can even take calligraphy classes onsite, led by one of the caring and experienced staff...
Classes held at Mélodies Graphiques start at €25 per hour (and would include materials and instruction). You can book directly via email.
Sign P'Niche up!
What do you think, P'Nicher? Ready to stroll through this artistic wonderland to get your own treasure? Let us know in the comments below et à bientôt!
Another marvel to add to my ever-growing list, thanks to you, Chrissy!!!! Merci.