A grubby, ugly and grey crossroads, yet strangely beautiful by the evening sun. It always makes me happy when I pass through because ten minutes walk in any direction leads to some of my favourite places: the best fromager, thrift stores, the best boulangerie for tartes, the canal, bars, my apartment, B.D. (comix) shops, the best butcher, the huge deco Rex cinema, the best veg markets, my band's underground rehearsal room, my part time job, art galleries, etc etc!

This is another artistic centre that opened recently, this time housed in a former 19th century music hall that later became an indoor roller coaster attraction (yeah, really). The temporary exhibitions can be hit or miss, but I like hanging out in the free, open-to-all library on the first floor where you can sit in the futurist media pods and flip through the latest arts, culture, music, design and architecture magazines. Their shelves are also filled with a growing endowment of books which seem to be acquired according to the theme of the aforementioned exhibitions. Internet access is available on a dozen or so PCs (or via WiFi on your own machine) and for gamers, there are a few consoles connected to largish plasma screens. The café upstairs, with its classic baroque meets retro-futurist interior, is a sight to behold.

New shop in Paris opened by the Pain o Chokolat Crew (street hip hop crew). The Pigalle shop stocks exclusive street culture brands from across the globe. You’ll always meet a bunch of international people when visiting the shop. The Pigalle shop has the hype of street culture but the underlying feelings of a classic shop and the staff is very helpful and friendly.

If you're looking for somewhere that has an an excellent selection of artist books then Yvon Lambert is the place to go. Not only that but they sell incredible tote bags, with great straps and nice minimal design that will last you a life time. Out the back is a small gallery space, often showcasing the work of featured artist who's book is for sale in the shop. One of my favourite things about this shop is how friendly and welcomign they are! Not only that but they do cool collaborations, such as the one with David Horvitz, where he emails them a new photograph of the sky every day, the bookshop prints it out and you can only buy that one image on the day.

Great bookshop and gallery in the North Marais.