Hello, stitchy friends! It’s been two weeks since my trip to Paris, and I am still mentally working through everything I was lucky enough to see. The Eiffel Tower, of course, and Versailles (the Hall of Mirrors is beyond breathtaking), the Louvre, and so much more. But, one of my favourite stops was a charming little needlework shop in Paris, tucked away in a shopping arcade called Passage Verdeau (built in 1847).
A view of Passage Verdeau.
Le Bonheur des Dames is just delightful, full of designs by Cécile Vessière, as well as a few other treasures including hand-carved wooden birds.
The exterior of Le Bonheur des Dames.
The walls are covered with stitched samples, and the shelves are full of cross stitch and embroidery kits.
Stitched samples on the wall at Le Bonheur des Dames.
I thoroughly enjoyed looking at everything and picking out a few very special kits to stitch. I would have loved to buy, well honestly, one of everything, but luggage space was very tight for this trip and I visited on our first day in Paris. Thankfully, the shop does offer mail order, so I can always order what I’d like at a later date.
Interior of Le Bonheur des Dames.
The ladies working in the shop were friendly, although I will admit I didn’t speak much since I am embarrassed of my truly awful French. (We take French for several years in grade school here in Canada, but that along with practice in Duolingo just means I can read French not speak it with any skill. I speak better Japanese then French, which is a little embarrassing!)
In addition to all the unique kits, the shop also has a large range of Clover sewing accessories and some very beautiful scissors. They also carry DMC floss, stitching books, and stitchable fabrics like jar covers and towels.
The shop is easy to spot in the shopping arcade as there is a mannequin of a lady atop the awning. The lady is part of their logo, and is featured on their website and their business card as well.
Le Bonheur des Dames is most definitely worth a visit if you are needleworker visiting Paris. Be sure to save room in your luggage for all the treasure you will find there. And, if you happen like like ramen, I also recommend checking out Neko Ramen right next door.
Mural outside of Neko Ramen, Paris.
Le Bonheur des Dames
8 Pass. Verdeau 75009
Paris, France
Needleworker, Knitter, Crocheter, Sewist, Paper Crafter, and more!
Visiting cross stitch shops during travels is my favourite thing to do.
Thank you for sharing the details.
I would be lost in that shop!!
I need to go there!