Welcome to Pawshire. I'm Chonticha, a painter who works mostly in gouache, and whenever I travel, I visit art stores like they’re temples. I don’t go in looking for fancy tools… I go in to feel inspired. The colors, the packaging, the quietness of each aisle… it’s all part of how I find ideas for my next piece.
This guide is part of a personal series I’ve been writing as I wander and paint my way through different cities.

For the video version of this post, watch below.

Where is the oldest art shop in Paris?

On my failed attempt to visit Le Musée d’Orsay and Le Musée de l’Orangerie in mid-December, I ended up discovering something just as good as the Impressionist collection at the museum. Now, you might be wondering what I was thinking, going to Paris without booking my tickets in advance. Or maybe you don’t care about this at all. Either way, rest assured—I have already visited Musée d’Orsay. I simply wanted to go back and appreciate La Robe Rose, painted by Frédéric Bazille in 1864, one more time. And funnily enough, just a few days earlier (also in the middle of December), I had gotten in without a ticket in advance. So really, who’s to blame?

After my plan fell through, I searched for something similar to stay within the Impressionist theme and found this shop right next to the museum.

And so I found… the Sennelier Rive Gauche, the oldest art shop in Paris and one of the oldest in the world still standing!

Quick sketch on the train back to Normandie, using my new watercolor paper from Sennelier

Magasin Sennelier 1887, Carré Rive Gauche

Meet Sennelier, the oldest art shop in Paris, founded in 1887

Stepping inside was like walking into an artist's dream. The dark wooden cabinets, floor-to-ceiling drawers, and antique glass displays instantly transported me to a time when painters would roam the streets of Paris, sketchbooks in hand. The smell of varnish, oils, and pigments filled the air, making it impossible not to feel inspired.

Sennelier is best known for its exceptional pastels and artist-quality paints, but it offers far more. The first floor is dedicated to traditional fine art materials, including a vast collection of pigments, brushes, and high-quality canvases. Every drawer holds something special, and it is easy to get lost opening each one, discovering rare and unique supplies.

View over the Louvre from the upper floor

Upstairs, the second floor is a haven for calligraphy lovers, with an impressive selection of inks, dip pens, and beautiful handmade papers. One of the highlights is the large window overlooking the Seine and the Pont du Carrousel, right across from the Louvre. Imagine buying your art supplies while gazing at one of the most iconic museums in the world.

Linel Gouache & Turner Acryl Gouache

If you, like me, are always on the hunt for the finest gouache to elevate your artwork (pure poetry here), Magasin Sennelier has you covered. They stock gouache from both the Japanese brand Turner and Linel by Lefranc Bourgeois.

I’ve been a long-time Linel user, and this was the first time I found it in a physical store, which made me absurdly happy. Since I had just returned from Japan, where I went on a bit of a gouache-buying spree, I took note of Turner for the next time I need to restock.

If you’re looking to buy Linel gouache, though, you’ll have to choose from a price list rather than browsing the tubes directly. Why? No idea—maybe it’s just too exclusive? I didn’t ask, mainly because I already own most of the colors. Either way, next time, I’ll be sure to stock up. I'm all for supporting local businesses, especially an art shop as stunning as this one.

What else to do in Paris as an artist?

I’ll spare you my incomplete knowledge of what Paris has to offer. The city of Light is too big and too rich in history for me to even dare to create a guide for Paris.

But but but!

As an artist, few things excite me more than stepping into a well-stocked art shop. And in Paris, Magasin Sennelier is one of the best. Established in 1887, this legendary art store has supplied some of the most famous painters in history, including Picasso, Cézanne, and Degas.

If you love discovering unique places in Paris, Sennelier is absolutely worth a visit. Whether you are an artist or simply enjoy browsing creative spaces, this shop offers a glimpse into Paris’s deep artistic heritage. If you want to see more of my visit to Sennelier and my Parisian art stroll, check out the video!