Once upon a time..., that's how all fairy tales begin. But the story we're about to tell you is a special one. There are fairies, dragons and other elfin creatures, but above all there's Christmas! Il était une fois is the name of an unusual, mysterious little store with a cobalt-blue front in Paris's bustling Marais district.
The shop's first floor opens onto a fantasy world populated by magical creatures (fairies, dragons, elves and pixies), bordering on shelves covered with skulls and gothic-celtic jewelry. Continue on your way, and at the far end of this whimsical grotto, a tiny staircase reveals itself before your very eyes.
Then you'll find yourself in an underground Christmas kingdom! A joyful bazaar where every object finds its place in a magical, resolutely kitsch landscape. Here, over 3,000 decorative items (for the tree and the house) are on sale all year round! An unusual experience that spans the seasons, for dreamers in search of original decor, far from the big-box stores.
Rummaging through this glittery accumulation, you'll find Santa Clauses galore, traditional santons from Provence and the much-loved Nutcracker wooden soldiers.
But there are also more surprising pieces, such as an LGBTQ+ Santa to hang, and even a "Stormtrooper" (Starwars) on a candy cane as a pole dance bar.
Come and explore this Parisian Christmas institution to find your nugget decoration this year!
Location
Once upon a time
6 Rue Ferdinand Duval
75004 Paris 4
Access
Metro 1 Saint-Paul
Official website
www.iletaitunefois-paris.com
Instagram page
@iletaitunefois75004
