*all photos are via Grace Wood
Faulkner House Books
Located just off Jackson Square is Faulkner House Books, a small bookstore tucked away in Pirate’s Alley that sits in the building where William Faulkner once lived in the 1920s while writing his first novel, Soldiers’ Pay. I visited the historic shop with my sister. Only six people are allowed in the shop at a time, however it makes for a peaceful shopping experience and the owner didn’t make us feel rushed at all. Instead we were able to browse the store without having to maneuver around other people. The bookstore feels like a step into the past, especially with the fact that the owner logs purchases with pen and paper (though she still accepts cards). As a book lover I loved the historical element, but also the selection of books. Though the store is small, it was packed to the brim with classics and new releases. I particularly loved the poetry section, which was quite robust for such a small shop. Overall I loved it!
Hove Parfumeur Ltd
Tucked along Royal Street in the French Quarter is Hové Parfumeur, a charming perfume shop. The store has been part of New Orleans since the 1930s and is known for its handcrafted fragrances that are still blended in small batches. Walking inside, the space is filled with shelves of delicate glass bottles and staff survey a table that displays each of their signature scents. The staff were incredibly kind and encouraged us to take our time sampling different perfumes, offering lots of advice on scents. I loved getting to try several of their signature fragrances and learning a bit about the history behind them. It felt like such a unique experience compared to buying perfume at a department store, and the atmosphere made the whole visit feel special. Being so close to Jackson Square, it’s an easy stop while exploring the French Quarter. The store has fifty-two fragrances sold in different sizes, many New Orleans themed. My personal favorite was Carnaval—a Spring floral scent.
Papier Plume
Also in the French Quarter is Papier Plume, a beautiful stationary shop that sells luxury supplies like fountain pens, calligraphy materials, stationary sets. If you love writing supplies the shop is fun to shop in, especially as stationary shops seem to be few and far between. As someone who loves stationery, it was so fun to browse through everything and see such a wide variety of inks and paper products in one place. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and encouraged us to try different pens and gave demonstrations of stamp presses and other molds. One of the most unique parts of Papier Plume is their locally made inks, many of which are named after New Orleans neighborhoods, streets, and cultural references, which gives the shop a strong sense of place. If you want to browse or find a thoughtful, nice gift for a stationary-lover it’s an excellent visit.
