France, April 2015: Antique Prints at La Galcante
I wanted to take some time to jump back to our April Paris trip by keying in on one of my favorite places we explored. Before leaving, we took to travel books and, of course, the internet to figure out what spots we wanted to hit during our stay. Upon searching, we stumbled upon the blog post My Secret Paris Archive directing readers to check out the small antique shop La Galcante. We knew instantly that this was something special to add to our list. It is important to us to not just hit the main attractions but to really dig into a city's culture and unique gems.
La Galcante happily sits at 52 Rue de l'Arbre Sec, 75001 Paris, France though you could easily pass by without noticing the hidden walkway to the shop. As you stroll down the street, keep your eyes peeled for a blue door with an old brass knocker on it. Peer in around the corner, and you'll see stacks of old books sitting on top of carts by the local's bikes with the La Galcante's store front glimmering through at the end looking right back at you to invite you in.
The outside of the shop is just as lovely as the inside. It gives your eyes an abundance of visual pleasure with old cobblestone covering the ground and antique windows that have all the old boxes and crates piled high against them. The feeling that you found something special and secret instantly overcomes you. Take that all in before you step inside the doors to the shop.
Once you are inside the shop your heart will burst with happiness. There are stacks and piles, boxes and crates, shelves and ladders. Everything you need for a good time rummaging through the old and beautiful treasures. We took our time looking through all the different items—vintage magazines, print ads, books, photographs—trying to find something to take back home with us as our souvenir for the trip. It was obvious us to us that this was the perfect place to find that unique piece. After a little while, we began chatting more with the owner telling him just what we were looking for. He directed us around to specific boxes that might interest us and even took us in the back to let us dig even further.
There are many interesting places to go in Paris—whether they are on the tourist map or not—but La Galcante is unlike any of them. Our visit to the shop is something we talk about over and over. It definitely made an impact on us as it brought a new light into our trip. Eventually after all of our hunting, we found the perfect piece: a vintage photograph of the Eiffel Tower. It now sits on our living room wall with all our other pieces from our travels this year. And, I have to admit that it might just be my favorite out of them all.
Stop by, say hello, and dig through La Galcante. You wont regret it! We promise.
Have you been to Paris? What is your happiest memory there?
If you haven't been, what's on the top of your list as a must to see when you visit?
Let us know!
