From Prisunic to Monoprix

One of our favorite stores in Paris is the chain Monoprix. There is a Monoprix one métro stop down from us that has groceries upstairs and clothing, housewares, and more downstairs. They are known for having affordable fashion and household goods. We especially like their baby clothes-stylish yet affordable.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD) is on the rue de Rivoli on one end of the huge Palais du Louvre. Kate had never been and they had some special exhibits going on, one of which was Design for All: from Prisunic to Monoprix, a French Adventure.

The Prisunic department store was founded in 1931. In 1946, it started following an American style of marketing, providing contemporary quality fashion and furniture at affordable prices. Their official slogan was « Le beau au prix du laid » or "Beauty at the price of ugly." It sounds better in French, right?

1960s

Prix Chocs!

Monoprix was founded in 1932 and merged with Prisunic in 1997 and the Prisunic name went away.  Prisunic initiated many important collaborations with top designers. The British designer, Terence Conran, participated in the design of the first Prisunic catalog in 1968. The catalog skillfully staged furniture, lighting and tableware for a new audience of mail-order consumers. 

Tableware

1977 wedding dress with pockets!

The Little Black Dress

It was fun to wander through and see all that the stores offered. We loved the giraffe plates (Kate's and my mom's favorite animal). And the fun umbrellas and shopping carts.

Umbrellas and Shopping carts

Prisunic advertising

Some of the furniture was pretty interesting. The table below has stag antlers underneath-I could just imagine getting a toe stabbed by an errant antler under the table. I thought the curvy dresser looked like it came our of a Dr. Seuss book.

Staghorn table

Space-age Vanity

Dresser

Fun stools under a fabulous chair

There were many interesting chairs.

TGV Train Seats

Human-shaped chair

They also had complete rooms.

Monoprix kitchen

Japanese inspired fashion

Child's room

The views out the windows as we reached the upper floors of the museum were pretty cool, too.

View past the Ferris Wheel in the
Jardin de Tuileries to La Défense

Tour Eiffel

The museum also has in its permanent collection period rooms, furniture, paintings and other decorative arts. Some of my favorites were this cradle of the duc de Bordeaux and Napoleon's throne.

Berceau de duc de Bourdeaux

Napoleon's Throne

This looks very comfy

Three-person chair

We could have spent hours in the museum. There is so much to see in the permanent collection and two other special exhibits going on. MAD has become one of my favorite Paris museums since I discovered it in 2020.