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Modern Matter Blog
From Flea Markets to French Pharmacy Finds: Ajiri Aki Shares Her Favorite Hidden Gems in Paris
Q&A Part 2
In our first conversation with author and tastemaker Ajiri Aki, we explored the inspiration behind her collaboration with Modern Matter and her love of craftsmanship and timeless design. Now, in part two, Ajiri invites us to wander through her Paris—sun-dappled mornings, charming flea markets, tucked-away cafés, and the simple pleasure of lingering over good food and conversation. It’s a glimpse into the beauty, rhythm, and joie de vivre that inspire everything she creates.
Q: What does a perfect day in Paris look like for you?
A: For me, a perfect Paris day starts with sunshine—warm enough to feel good on your skin, but not too hot to remind us of the lack of AC. It would be spent wandering the city with friends, strolling around a flea market, and then meandering from one café to the next for good food, drinks, and long conversations.
Q: What are some of your favorite flea markets and brocantes in Paris and beyond? What’s your secret to uncovering the best hidden treasures?
A: Of course, I love exploring the famous Puces de Saint-Ouen like most visitors, but I also enjoy the smaller, ephemeral flea markets that pop up around the city center. (I often share these finds and locations on my Madame de la Maison Instagram.) My “secret,” if you can call it that, is to shop with imagination and an open mind. That’s how you spot treasures others might overlook—sometimes it’s as simple as reimagining how you’ll use an object, or seeing the potential in something that just needs a little care and cleaning.
Q: What are some of your favorite home decor and tabletop boutiques in Paris?
A: I love Landline for tabletop, home decor, and unique presents. AXS has a nicely curated selection of home and tabletop antiques, and Monoprix Maison, of course.
Q: What’s your favorite hidden gem restaurant in Paris that only the locals seem to know about?
A: After living in Paris for 15 years, I’ve collected quite a few favorite gems. La Marine on the Canal Saint-Martin is an excellent spot to meet a friend for lunch, and I also love Ebouillanté near the Seine for their Tunisian crêpes. The chicken curry crêpe is my favorite. If you follow my Substack newsletter, Notes on Joie, you’ll often see me sharing the places where I eat around the city.
Q: What unique souvenirs would you recommend visitors bring back from Paris?
A: These days, it can be tricky to find truly unique souvenirs thanks to the internet, which is why I love edible ones—they’re the best way to literally bring home a taste of your travels. A few of my favorite suggestions: buy incredible butter from Maison Plisson or Terroirs d’Avenir, ask them to vacuum pack it, then freeze it at your Airbnb so it’s ready to travel home in your checked luggage. I also adore the flavored butters from Maison Bordier—they come in varieties like piment d’Espelette, yuzu, seaweed, truffle, or onion. For sweets, Méert is a wonderful stop. The vanilla or caramel beurre salé gaufres (waffles) are heavenly, and their Marcel Proust tea comes in a charming tin. And if you’re a tea lover, the Conservatoire des Hémisphères is stunning shop that offers hundreds of beautifully packaged teas with hand-calligraphed labels. These kinds of souvenirs make it easy to extend your experience back home and can’t be found anywhere else.
Q: What’s the best store in Paris for authentic Parisian style?
A: I don’t think there is just one authentic Parisian style. The beauty of this city is its diversity, with so many different people and ways of dressing. Instead, I can share some of my favorite shops that reflect my own style: Souleiado, Fragonard, Soeurs, Le Bon Marché, and Thanx God I’m a VIP. I especially love dresses, colors, patterns, and vintage pieces inspired by the 40s to the 70s.
Q: What’s your favorite hidden gem from a French pharmacy that everyone should try?
A: Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Multi-Protection moisturizer. It has SPF 20 and also protects against blue light and pollution. I can’t explain the science behind it, but I just know I really like it.
Q: Is there a particular Parisian way of spending a day off that you absolutely love and wish more people would embrace?
A: In my book, JOIE: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life, I write about the art of être—the art of simply being—which I think the French have truly mastered. It’s about realizing you don’t always need to be doing something. On a day off, it’s perfectly fine to spend time reading, strolling, or just walking without a plan. Rest, relaxation, and recharging are priorities here. You see it in the many holidays, in the way lunch is enjoyed away from desks, and in how sacred vacation time is. But a Parisian day off isn’t only about slowing down; it can also be about connection. Gathering with friends and family around the table, and not hurrying through that time, is something I’ve learned to embrace and something I wish more people would, too.
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