A renaissance in vinyl records over the last few years demonstrates that music lovers are looking for an authentic connection with music through vinyl. Parisian record stores are inseparable from the history of the city, and new shops look back to the golden decades of record retail, between the 1920s and 1930s. Below are 10 of our favorite record stores in the city.
Walrus is a newly founded record store, café, and bar located in Paris’ 10th district, very close to Montmartre. It’s cozy ambience creates a unique experience for music lovers, offering visitors a cup coffee while they browse for their favorite rocrods. Regular free events and gigs definitely add to its magnificence; since its opening, Walrus has welcomed various artists, such as Elliot Murphy and Chassol. The store is quite spacious, and, in addition to records, sells books, t-shirts, and posters. You are most likely to come across some krautrock, post rock, psychedelic rock, experimental, and avant-garde vinyl.
Record collectors and lovers of premiere editions and other rare products have to visit Musiques Musiques. Founded 10 years ago, it’s a small and colorful store located in the 9th district of Paris. At this store, you will discover a wide range of original pressings from the ’60s to ’90s — mostly American — that cover a number of different genres, including pop, rock, blues, soul, and funk.
L’international Records located in the 11th district of Paris, was founded three years ago. At this store, you will find various types of records, secondhand or new, since the owner is interested in both buying and selling records, and it is complete with a DJ set in the background. Its collections mostly cover electronic music, garage, disco, and new wave. Not far from the record store, there is a concert venue with the same name, which arranges concerts in liaison with the record store.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
La Silence du la Rue, also located in the 11th district, is one of those remarkable record stores in which you can find French records. Founded 25 years ago, the store provides its customers with different genres such as hardcore punk, garage, pop, rock, soul, funk, R&B, blues, and afro beat. At this store, you come across hits of the ’60s and ’70s, as well as more recent releases.
Heartbeat Vinyl is a small but cozy record store, near to Place Leon Blum in the 11th district, which specializes in black music of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. If you are interested in Afro-jazz, blues, soul, funk, folk, disco, techno, and hip hop, make sure to visit this store and have a look through their diverse catalogue. Their motto, “There are only two kinds of music: good and bad, that’s it,” proves true, as their collections only cover the best records.
La Voie du Silence is located in the 15th district of Paris, very close to Garibaldi square. The store has two floors and offers a wide range of music genres, including rock, jazz, hip hop, blues, soul, funk, and more, both secondhand and new. Its unique music library includes biographies and comics, separating it from the other stores on this list. The store’s basement is also used as an exhibition venue by artists.
Betino’s is another notable record store in the 11th district. Founded in 1999, the store mostly focuses on originals and rare reissues. From the ’60s onwards, the collection covers jazz, black, afro funk, rock, soul, funk, hip hop, techno, Latin, and some French records. If you are in love with the works of singers like Eddie Henderson and the Counts, this store will be your paradise.
Next up in in Paris’ 11th district is Souffle Continu, near Ménilmontant and Père La Chaise. Founded in 2008, the store boasts a modern design and passionately supports current independent artists from France and other countries. In addition to the wide range of records, from indie rock to black metal, you find books, DVDs, t-shirts, and various accessories. The store also occassionally hosts free events, such as gigs and artist meet-and-greets at the store.
For those who are passionate about electro and dance music, La Source is the place to be. Located in the 10th district, close to Place de Republic, the store provides its customers with selected records from around the world, books, t-shirts, and various accessories. This store regularly hosts gigs in association with labels like Smallville.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Balades Sonores primarily sells new or secondhand vinyls, books, and some clothes, all affordably priced. Divided into two stores in the 9th district, near Place d’Anvers and Montmartre, this small and well-decorated store introduces you to variety of genres, from pop and rock to black metal to new wave/synth wave. If you desire records, the first shop at 1 avenue Trudaine will be your sanctuary. Its ground floor offers new albums from 2000 onwards, while its basement is dedicated to old records from the ’60s to the ’90s. At 3 avenue Trudaine, you’ll find monthly exhibitions, free showcases serigraphy, books, accessories, and DVDs.
