Paris - State of Bd Beaumarchais

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Anaxagore

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I have been very surprised, last Saturday, when walking on Bd Beaumarchais. This used to be the temple of photo, but has changed a lot. Cirque is still operating; Prophot does not care about those who may be busy M-F and is apparently also still operating, but is closed on Saturdays. There are a few small used camera and repair shops (including the venerable Odeon Photo, that has unfortunately not been the same in terms of friendliness since they closed their store on Bd St-Germain a long time ago). I do not know what happened to Le Moyen Format, that had the friendliest people working there and was still open a few months ago, but the location was marked for rent... That especially, and the whole state of the area where photo shops have been replaced by cafes or cheap (or not so cheap) clothing stores, makes me rather sad..

Have other stores opened elsewhere in Paris to compensate for the loss of those near Bastille ?
 

koraks

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In the greater scheme of things, it's (1) not such a huge market and (2) both retail and increasingly repairs, too, are administered online instead of in brick & mortar stores. The combination the two factors makes it plausible that brick & mortar stores especially in relatively expensive locations will continue to shut down.
 

Sirius Glass

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In the greater scheme of things, it's (1) not such a huge market and (2) both retail and increasingly repairs, too, are administered online instead of in brick & mortar stores. The combination the two factors makes it plausible that brick & mortar stores especially in relatively expensive locations will continue to shut down.

The increase of internet commerce has decimated business districts of all types across the world. I agree that it is a sad loss. The changes made by the impact of COVID have also changed our market places.
 
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bernard_L

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This used to be the temple of photo
Well... Maybe 25 years ago I bought from a small store on Bd Beaumarchais a Contaflex. Turned out it was kaputt. The store owner had to admit that but told me he could not reimburse me...
To me the temple of photo is the annual photo fair at Bièvres --1st weekend of June. Mostly second-hand, but Canikon have booths.

For new stuff see also:
Raspail Photo 4 r Schoelcher 75014 Paris

For old stuff online stores are appearing, selling to hipsters the cameras recommended by bloggers (never mind my irony). The major one in EU is Kamerastore, and in Paris, check with Nation Photo --at least two stores, will also develop 135, 120, 127, instamatic...
 
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Daniela

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Don't know if stores have opened in another area, OP. I can share that I have just resorted to buying things online because buying the film and developer I want has become a hassle.

Last time I was in Prophot (a few months ago), I found it annoying that they had closed the analog area to the public (which was in the back of the store) and I had to ask an employee to get me what I wanted (and yes, they're closed on Saturdays, which also sucks). In terms of good experiences, I had one at Photostock in the 19th. A very knowledgeable gentleman took the time to take me aside and share a wealth of info about things; but that's just one store and they don't always have what I'm looking for.

PS: Just looked up Le Moyen Format and it's listed on google as "closed permanently" and their IG account doesn't seem to exist anymore, so it seems to be gone.
 

Trask

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There's also Objectif Boétie at 6 Rue La Boétie in the 8th -- a small store, but it's still open and they have a website. Sorry to hear that Bd Beaumarchais has fewer photo stores now; I used to go there frequently when I lived in Paris a few years ago.
 

Laurent

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I have been very surprised, last Saturday, when walking on Bd Beaumarchais. This used to be the temple of photo, but has changed a lot. Cirque is still operating; Prophot does not care about those who may be busy M-F and is apparently also still operating, but is closed on Saturdays. There are a few small used camera and repair shops (including the venerable Odeon Photo, that has unfortunately not been the same in terms of friendliness since they closed their store on Bd St-Germain a long time ago). I do not know what happened to Le Moyen Format, that had the friendliest people working there and was still open a few months ago, but the location was marked for rent... That especially, and the whole state of the area where photo shops have been replaced by cafes or cheap (or not so cheap) clothing stores, makes me rather sad..

Have other stores opened elsewhere in Paris to compensate for the loss of those near Bastille ?

Le Moyen Format is unfortunately closed.
 

GregY

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I've enjoyed visiting the camera shops on Blvd Beaumarchais each time I've been in Paris. I've always come away with some nice find....once an original black paint M2, & on my last visit two years ago a pristine SBOOI for a good price. IMG_6106.jpg
 
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