5 Boutiques to Get Your Summer Sunglasses From

To protect your eyes from UV rays, rock a stylish look, or complete your outfit, sunglasses are the essential accessory for summer. However, as all the pros will tell you, sunglasses are like shoes—they need to be tried on. Where can you buy a stylish pair of sunglasses in Paris? The Do It Team has investigated and compiled its top five favorite boutiques for you.

The DNA: Once the official optician of the king and now the oldest optician in Paris, Ingénieur Chevallier was also the creator of several essential optical and measurement instruments, including the thermometer and the barometer. Their specialty? Customization. Starting with a selection of exclusive handcrafted frames produced in ultra-limited series, Ingénieur Chevallier offers personalized morphological adjustments in-store. From solid gold, silver, titanium, and horn to bio-acetate, materials and suppliers are carefully chosen to guarantee exceptional pieces known for their pure, timeless designs without any logos.

Our Favorites: While the website only showcases a fraction of the available models in-store, you can find true gems and flagship creations from the optician. For example, the Louvre sunglasses evoke a neo-traditional look reminiscent of 1930s design. The Dino model stands out with its bold lines for an assertive gaze. Lastly, the daring ones will be charmed by the oversized and angular look of the aptly namedr Very Expet, perfectly in tune with the current trends.

Ingénieur Chevallier, 16 Rue du Vertbois, Paris 3rd. +33 1 88 40 23 50. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 7 PM. 17 Rue des Pyramides, Paris 1st. +33 1 42 60 74 64. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 7 PM.

The DNA: Founded in 2014 by Parisian designer Ahlem Manai-Plat, AHLEM opened its first boutique-boudoir in the heart of the capital this spring. Offering high-end customizations, this independent luxury label unveils its creative universe inspired by the revolutionary design principles of the Bauhaus movement from the early 20th century. AHLEM's pieces are minimalist and elegant, favored by top celebrities such as Juliette Binoche and LeBron James. The brand's fundamental values include meticulous attention to detail, the choice of materials, and the preservation of French artisanal craftsmanship.

Our Favorites: The Spring-Summer 2023 collection draws inspiration mainly from the jazz scene of the 1950s-1960s and the Sape, an African cultural movement advocating for a new form of dandyism. Not to be missed is the flagship selection dedicated to Parisian metro stations. Our preferred pairs include the Soleil de Rivoli, a sleek yet classy design (€515), the Marcadet with round lenses for urban poets (€525), and the Babylone, Natalie Portman's favorite, featuring a chic cat-eye effect (€515).

AHLEM, 9 Rue du Dragon, Paris 6th. +33 1 58 90 11 12. Open Monday to Saturday, from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 7 PM.

DNA: And here comes Yllan Ossona with his second boutique dedicated to designer eyewear made in Europe and Japan, located on Rue du Cherche-Midi. After working with major optical retailers, the young graduate opted for independence and established himself above Place des Vosges ten years ago. His motto: scouting small, carefully selected brands and providing a high-end customer experience. "I tried to work as if I had developed my own brand with a classic retro direction. I'm neither trendy nor extravagant, and it shows in my selection." At Le Visionnaire, you'll find rarities, exclusives, and expert advice from the staff who are knowledgeable about complex repairs and special frame fittings.

Our Favorites: Choosing is giving up! Among the twelve designers and 500 available references, our first pick is the iconic AR (€415) by Julius Tart Optical. In the 1950s, the Arnel model (known as AR) gained fame through James Dean and later Johnny Depp before being copied (by Moscot and Ray-Ban, among others) since Mr. Tart did not legally protect his brand. Resurrected by his nephew, this former American flagship brand, which cannot be sold in the United States, is now based and manufactured in Japan. Le Visionnaire happens to be its largest retailer in France! We also recommend trying the Robin (€189) by R.T.CO for a cat-eye style reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe. Yllan's latest addition is Aude Herouard, a 100% made in France designer who focuses on bio acetate frames with thick yet lightweight shapes that fit perfectly on the nose. The Odile model (€390) has everything to charm you, unless you prefer the oversized Colette (€390).

Le Visionnaire, 43 Rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris 6th. +33 1 40 47 04 15. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM. 53 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 3rd. +33 1 57 40 99 64. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

© Diane Moysson

DNA: "We don't follow trends; we do what we love," proudly declare Valérie and Jérémie Cymbler in unison. Children of the 1980s and a happy couple, they spent over 20 years manufacturing glasses for big brands. Jérémie, tired of not having artistic direction, decided to stop working for others and embarked on the Rendel adventure in 2019, along with his wife, a producer in the performing arts field. They opened their first boutique on Rue des Rosiers in Le Marais, their beloved neighborhood. Their brilliant idea? Mastering the entire creation and production chain with as few intermediaries as possible, to offer high-quality fashion accessories at friendly prices. Rendel draws inspiration from characters in films and TV series from the 1980s and 1990s. "We make a point of not raising our three fixed prices (€89, €119, and €159), but that doesn't mean we won't have a fourth price because we're developing a two-tone gold and silver steel model that requires a lot of technicality," explains Valérie. Showbiz personalities quickly embraced the brand, with Kirsten Stewart and Cara Delevingne, who bought eight pairs on a Sunday afternoon.

Our Favorites: Like Benjamin Biolay, opt for the Chandler. If you were immersed in the ruthless world of Dallas, the Cliff, one of their bestsellers, is the one for you! To awaken your gangsta side, try the Ruben, as seen in Ocean's Eleven. And to channel Sharon Stone from the Casino era, go for the white Ginger. For an additional €19, you can leave with a second pair of lenses and a tutorial on how to change them!

Rendel, 25 Rue des Rosiers, Paris 3rd, +33 1 44 61 30 58. Open Monday to Sunday, from 11 AM to 8 PM. 64 Rue de Rennes, Paris 6th. +33 1 86 70 91 10. Open Monday to Sunday, from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. Pop-up store at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, 24 Rue de Sèvres, Paris 7th. Open Monday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 7:45 PM.

DNA: These two have a vision! Raphaëlle Aracil (the Southerner) and Clémence Hérault (the Norman) are both qualified opticians who joined forces in 2020 to launch their own brand of prescription and sunglasses. Their mission: Fauve, with a fierce ambition to shake up the often boring eyewear industry. From their cozy space on Rue du Perche, adorned with wood and terracotta, they offer models designed in-house and crafted in the Jura region. Their inspirations? The 70s, of course, with a contemporary touch provided by lacquered materials and lenses in all colors.

Our Favorites: The thick butterfly-shaped Simone, the rounded Agathe that enhances all faces in dark tortoiseshell, the hexagonal Gisèle, and the square-rounded Gabin that we adore. All glasses are priced at €145, and you can naturally change the lenses to have tinted or colored ones of your choice. A pack with prescription lenses is available for €165.

Fauve, 43 Rue de Poitou, Paris 3rd. Open every day from 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturdays until 7:30 PM. Glasses priced at €135 and €145. Pack with prescription lenses €165.

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