Local artwork in Paris
 

We will be in Paris this September and would like to purchase an inexpensive piece of art from a local artist. Any suggestion as to where we might go to start looking. We will be near the Champs de Elyse most of the day. We are only there for the day because we are on a cruise. Thanks

Hi,

Not sure what your taste in art is or how much you want to spend. But there are many street artist in Montmartre (the main square) that display their works outside for purchase.

I was expecting most of it to be horrible and for tourists, but surprisingly, I found a beautiful oil-on-canvas painting for my father (35 euros).

Excuse me if my spelling is off: The square is Place du Tetre -- take Metro to ABBESSES station in Montmartre.

Most of the art galleries that deal with local artists and local clientele are in the 9th arr. Rue de la Grange Bateliere wiuld be a good street to check out; get off at the Richelieu Drouot(8)metro station if you are not up to a long walk. JP

It looks like you have 3 posts on this topic. If you click your name, you can pull up all of your posts. It looks like you've gotten responses to all of them.

Not sure if this is too far out of the way for you - I was there in May last year and in the park behind Notre Dame, there was an art fair. I think it is each week on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Not sure, but it appeared to be local artists and I found some beautiful artwork for fair prices.

I purchase prints on all my trips and frame them when I come home - they are a great reminder of my vacations. Have fun looking!

cls2paris:

Part of the reason for the multiple posts by the OP was my suggestion that they change their subject line from Artwork to something destination specific. Mea culpa, I guess, but it was meant to be helpful.

Thanks for all the information. 35 Euros is well within what we would like to spend. would like to stay within the $200 U.S. price range.

Thanks Tuscan - I missed that in the other posts.

Depending on the day you are there, the fair at Notre Dame had prices in your range. I think I spent 20euro for a pastel painting and 25 euro for a pen and ink drawing. There were more expensive pieces to choose from. Several years ago I bought a lovely oil painting (about 5x7") for about $50; I found that in the artists area in Montmarte.

What kind of cruise?
(I bought a cutie of a water color on the Quai du Louvre...)

It is a transatlantic cruise. We leave from England and end up in New York 2 weeks later.

Can anyone tell me what a taxi might cost if we took one from the Champs Elysse up to Sacre Coure? There will be 4 of us to split the bill. Would this be faster than the metro. We would also need to get back down to the Champs. Thanks

I doubt a taxi would be faster than the métro.
Just out of curiosity, why will you be spending most of the day near the Champs Elysées when there's all of Paris to explore? The Champs Elysées area sure wouldn't be high on my list of places to hang out with only one day in Paris!

Not being familiar with the city and not speaking the language, we were not wanting to get to far away from the pick-up place. We are 2 hours from our cruise ship and just didn't want to miss the ride back. We will be dropped off in that area. Do you have any suggestions. Would love other ideas. Barb

I would also using Montmatre if I were looking for inexpensive, yet good quality art. Many of the 'artists'on the bridges etc. merely have prints which they pass off as watercolors at inflated prices. Suzie may have been taken, but if she likes the picture...to each his own. It is nice to actually see the artist painting something. On the bridges, you seldom do.

Thanks for all the help so far!

Any other suggestions where artists might be with their wares?

At times, there may be a few artists at the markets as well.

So what do you think? Would we be better to stay down by the river for artwork and artists or try to get up the hill to Sacre Coure?

OK. I'm going to weigh in here. I would go to Place du Tetre for the 'best' selection of local artwork. I have purchased several pieces there, my favorite is by a guy named Pierre Michigan.

Good, sound advice from Lori, a felow New Yorker!

Every time I have been in Paris there have been local artistes everywhere selling their wares. We always buy a watercolor. You will not have a problem finding artistes selling stuff. Be sure to walk down by the river.