Christmas is coming! The guide to Scandinavia in the Marais

Mountain of gifts, Byredo (l.) – Dalarna horse, Linnea Lund (r.)

The call of the Great North in the Marais

Christmas is coming soon! In the Marais, some addresses are twinned with Sweden – and therefore with “Jul”, Christmas in Swedish – where, from November, the streets light up with stars that adorn each window and where families drink glögg (mulled wine), eat pepparkakor (ginger biscuits), and enjoy lussekatter (saffron buns).

Since 1971, Sweden has taken up residence in the Marais with the installation of the Swedish Institute, which has since spread. There are shops, galleries and a café "made in Sweden". For sociologist and podcast author Ronan Chastellier, the craze for Sweden and Scandinavia can be explained as follows: "People are increasingly looking for wide open spaces, lands to explore. With climate change, we are heading towards the far North."

In the meantime, let's start by exploring Sweden in the Marais. Here's a tour of seven addresses:

It is the "zero kilometer" of Swedish culture in the district. Housed in the Hôtel de Marle (1965th century) acquired by the Swedish State in 500, the Institute hosts on two floors a permanent collection and temporary events related to plastic art, photography, design, cinema, music, literature. The Art Collection of the Tessin Institute holds an important place in the history of the institute with its collection of 5 paintings and 000 works on paper, bequest of a collector advisor of the Swedish embassy.

Currently on display is a photo exhibition: Cosmos and Vanitas by Ylva Snöfrid. A series of twenty-four paintings, one for each hour of the day and night, made by the artist during a trip to the Swiss Alpine resort of Jungfraujoch, the highest in Europe.

A true “embassy” of Swedish culture, the Svenska Institutet also offers language courses.

▼ Swedish Institute
11 Rue Payenne, 75003 Paris
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Thursday 12 a.m. to 21 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +01 44 78 80 20 XNUMX

With its terrace, the café of the Swedish Institute illustrates the philosophy of "lagom", this way of living and being, with moderation in all things. Reopened in 2022 under the name Café Fika, people come here for its peaceful atmosphere, its culinary tradition and its warm welcome. Don't they say that in cold countries, we have warm hearts?

A Swedish chef, Maria Printz, creates the menu, which changes every month, giving pride of place to local producers and artisans. At lunchtime, hot dishes such as lax pudding, salmon and horseradish gratin, meatballs with potatoes for 17 euros, open sandwiches for 12 euros, vegan cakes for 3,50 euros. In the evening, a menu accompanies the wines.

▼ Fika
Swedish Institute
11, rue Payenne, 75003 Paris
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 21 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +06 81 66 77 62 XNUMX

Pushing open the door of this shop with its black frontage and industrial decor is like taking a one-way ticket to Gothenburg. For twenty years, this smiling stylist has been advising her clients in English and French and working with noble materials. Cashmere, silk, leather, mohair, Japanese cotton. Wool and linen. Long, unstructured, oversized lines are favored as well as neutral colors such as black, white, khaki, cement.

His best, the leather jacket at 1 euros, the wide pants at 225 euros from size 325 to 32. Not forgetting the shirt, 44 euros, the 325% mohair coat, 100 euros. And the long cashmere mittens at 1 euros, for a first purchase.

▼ Anika Skarstrom
16 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris
Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 20 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Saturday from 12 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Close on Sunday
Tel: +09 83 82 32 85 XNUMX

In this space all in white and blond wood, a men's sportswear fashion in sober and classic shades, white, beige, black, gray, navy blue. Distinctive sign to all the pieces, from the boxers to the sweater, two eyelets at the bottom.

The T-shirt is 80 euros, the cashmere jackets are 495 euros, the shorts are 265 euros, the jackets are 265 euros. There are also swimsuits and hats for 75 euros.

For eleven years, this flagship has built a solid reputation. The brand is also thriving in New York, Los Angeles, London and Berlin. The line is enriched with a woody cologne, Discipline Sport at 115 euros.

Everything is made in France and Portugal.

▼ Ron Dorff
54 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Tuesday to Saturday from 11 p.m. to 14 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 19:30 p.m.
Sunday from 13 p.m. to 19 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +09 83 82 32 85 XNUMX

In this floral and yellow decor, a touch of the Fifties, it is the kingdom of Mongolian cashmere for a brand created in 2019 by Charlotte Björklund, then a consultant for the Cariaggi house in Italy, who manually works goat wool. The yarn is then sent to Marco, another Italian house, to knit the models.

The poncho is 475 euros, the mittens and hat 95 euros each, the sweater between 300 and 450 euros. You can choose from twenty-eight colors. Allow two to three weeks for manufacturing.

Everything is made in Italy.

▼ Linnea Lund
27 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 19 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +06 08 15 31 60 XNUMX

For twenty years, Acne Studios has imposed its vision of jeans to the point of becoming an institution. People come from far and wide to rummage through this large, very enlightened brand, and take the pulse of the men's and women's fashion trend. Its creator, Jonny Johansson, has long understood the expectations of his European and American clientele: unisex cuts that are straight, minimalist, baggy, and flared.

Expect to pay 650 euros for a wide, customized pair of jeans. Classic jeans cost 390 euros. In addition to fashion, people come here for accessories, bags and shoes.

▼ Acne Studios
3 Rue Froissart, 75003 Paris
From Tuesday to Saturday 11AM - 19PM
Close on Sunday
Tel: +01 49 96 96 91 XNUMX

The second boutique with minimalist lines of this brand created in 2006, Byredo offers perfumes that transmit emotions, experiences, a bit like an outfit. From everyday perfume to that of special occasions, receptions, ceremonies, the founder, Ben Gohram, shares his love of travel with his customers.

It must be said that his father, Canadian, and his mother, Indian, knew how to open his mind. He found his father's travel journals and this inspired the perfume Le Bal d'Afrique, 100 ml, 240 euros, This perfume created in 2009 is his best-seller. The house is very proud of it.

▼ BYREDO Paris Le Marais
19 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004 Paris
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 19:30 a.m.
Tel: +01 57 40 68 77 XNUMX

At the back of a courtyard, a space dedicated to interior designers. It offers quality fabrics, particularly wool, and respect for the environment. Scandinavian furniture professionals come here to restore armchairs and sofas.

In terms of style, we will have the choice of classics and avant-garde designs. Including Sport, the first recycled polyester textile made from 100% plastic waste recovered from the oceans.

Belgian designer Raf Simons is part of the jet-set clientele of this Danish brand. For individuals, blankets and cushions are also sold at Le Bon Marché.

▼ Kvadrat
33 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Tel: +01 42 44 29 29 XNUMX