Ahead of the Olympics, here’s how to shop like a Parisian in Toronto, Canada Reviews

With the Olympics just days away, not all of us are lucky enough to be in Paris to cheer on Team Canada and take in the sights and sounds of the city of romance. But don’t worry — in Toronto, there are so many ways to embody the Paris lifestyle! From authentic French antiques to striped shirts and silk scarves, here’s how shop like a Parisian in Toronto. 

HAUTE ANTIQUES

Import a little je ne sais quoi right into your living room with A Room in Paris by Belle Epoque Furnishings. The owners of this Queen West antique shop are particularly knowledgeable about French vintage pieces, and a visit here is like stepping into a hidden gem on a Paris side street filled with darling French mirrored vanities and elegant dressers. 

PARISIAN PIZZAZ

Striped shirt

The marinière — the iconic striped shirt popularized by French sailors and artists — can be found in abundance at Ossington’s Annie Aime, which stocks many top made-in-France brands. 

Woven bag

A woven straw or raffia bag is a summer style staple in France, and this Gerard Darel one at Snapdragon Designs will fit nicely on your bike basket with enough room for a baguette.

Silk scarf

On the streets of Paris, scarves are a year-round accessory that you can find in almost any clothing shop. Trade in your wool for silk with this patterned foulard at Gaspard Shop — tie it around your bag, your neck or your hair. 

Flats

Elegant, stylish flats are a must-have in France. Maguire Shoes has French-approved footwear for everyone, from the classic ballet flat to Mary Janes to pointed slingback mules.

FRENCH IMPORTS

Want to lend some authenticity to your French-inspired abode? Check out Clémentine Boutique, run by a bona fide French person who has since made Toronto her home. Offering made-in-France, ethically manufactured sustainable home goods, here you’ll find Picardie glasswares, charming printed tea towels, elegant Degrenne teapots and French essentials like a crepe spreader, pastry wheel and oyster shucking tool.

Also known for their straight-from-France offerings, SOCCO Living will give your home a little European influence. The Queen West shop sells Paris-chic home decor, furniture, bedding and more — including the iconic French brand Laguiole’s cheese serving set, adorable salt and pepper mills, rustic soaps from Marseille and dishware from La Rochere, the oldest continuously working glass factory in Europe.

ARMOIRE AMOUR

Give your home a bit of Parisian flair with Châtelet Home. Specializing in transforming vintage pieces into French-inspired gems, this furniture and decor shop is one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. Customers can even commission owner Teresa Wiwchar to remodel an unfinished item after the design esthetic of their dreams, from French provincial to Paris pied-à-terre.

EMBROIDERED ELEGANCE

For one-of-a-kind artistic gems from a French artist, shop CSP Arts Embroidery. Handcrafted by owner and designer Catherine Sequalino Poitier, these intricate embroidered brooches, accessories and decorative art feature detailed beading. Trained in ancestral French techniques, including Luneville crochet and goldwork embroidery, standouts include this gold brooch in her limited Versailles collection and this very Toronto raccoon face in her animal collection. 

For French-inspired things to do in Toronto, click here. 

For the best Parisian food in Toronto, click here.