Prêt-à-Promener: Wanda Nylon’s Johanna Senyk Takes Us on a Walking Tour of Her Paris Inline
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk1/17Senyk and Befve pointed out how these large industrial complexes are ubiquitous throughout their pocket of the 10th Arrondissement. They were built at the turn of the 20th century to accommodate both the factory floor and the employee accommodations above. Today, they remain mixed-use, but are likely to house creative agencies and cool loft-style apartments.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk2/17The couple live next door to Dharma Sangh, a Hindu cultural center that offers yoga courses and astrology consultations in addition to hosting wedding ceremonies.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk3/17While it gives the impression of a 1980s nightclub, New Morning is among the most notable jazz clubs in Paris. Located down the street from their building, it hosted the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Chet Baker back in the day.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk4/17The couple buy fruits and vegetables at this corner primeur, or produce shop, where the bounty and unpretentiousness of the display reflects the spirit of the neighborhood.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk5/17This hybrid flower boutique/café is a fresh arrival on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, where kebab restaurants and mobile phone shops are still the norm.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk6/17Then there’s Capri Bazar, an Italian prepared food store where Senyk finds the perfect balance between authentic and elevated. She credits the manager for rethinking some of her own recipes.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk7/17“It’s brilliant!” Senyk declares of the name fronting this bar and cocktail supplies shop. Befve notes how they are likely to run into friends at these types of local hangouts.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk8/17If the baguettes and giant rustic loaves look typically French, the bread selection offered at Dada, an organic cooperative concept store, now includes a wider variety of gluten-free options (see the less tempting bricks, lower right).
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk9/17The original outpost of Nanashi, a popular Japanese canteen-style restaurant that has expanded across Paris. Senyk and the owner are old friends.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk10/17Senyk says she often can’t keep up with the new stores descending on the neighborhood; while she praises the entrepreneurship, she also seems somewhat conflicted about how they are changing the dynamic.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk11/17The Cité Paradis, on the other hand, a T-shaped public passage that dates back to the 1890s, feels preserved in time.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk12/17January 10, 2017: That’s the first date that this low-key, highly acclaimed Japanese restaurant, located around the corner from the Wanda Nylon studio, offered Befve when he inquired in mid-November. He intends to invite DJ Frédéric Sanchez to dinner.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk13/17When the couple schedule breakfast meetings, the lush, throwback setting of Hôtel du Temps provides a pleasant backdrop.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk14/17The design was overseen by Alix Thomsen, whom Senyk and Befve have known for some time.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk15/17Senyk couldn’t help but fawn over this old vinyl shop with its seemingly random array of bygone stars. These odd, niche businesses are essential to the 10th’s charm.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk16/17Yet for all the storefronts that might appear scrappy or lower end, impressive architectural elements maintain a sense of grandeur, since much of this area of the 10th was developed when formal scale and exterior decoration were still a given.
Photos taken by Johanna Senyk17/17Senyk and Befve outside Coopérative Latte Cisternino, one of their favorite food shops; they swear the burrata is the best—and best-priced—in town.
