RECORD SHOPS: 5 of the Best in Paris

These five record shops prove that vinyl culture is alive, well, and spinning loud. There’s no better city to crate-dig than Paris.

YOYAKU, 14 Boulevard de la Chapelle, 75018 (record shop and cafe)

Record label and distributor, Yoyaku launched this shop ten years ago, tucked away in a courtyard at Porte de la Chapelle. Founder Benjamin Belaga built more than a store. He created a space for discovery and community. Yoyaku is a record shop specializing in electronic music, presenting both its own label and its discoveries. New releases sit alongside secondhand gems from the collection of former DJs.

The shop hosts weekly in-store sessions where DJs spin vinyl live, giving you a close-up experience of the city’s unique sound. Downstairs, modular sets and experiments take place. You can sip a coffee, browse records, and take in art at the connected gallery, Chapelle XIV.

BABALUMA, 72 bis Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011

Formerly International Record in rue Moret, Dave Kouliche changed his shop to Babaluma in 2018. The selection is sharp and wildly eclectic which highlights marginal music genres and artists. Think experimental pressings, obscure funk, offbeat jazz, and niche electronic sounds.

Babaluma partners with specialized distributors and sources secondhand vinyls through flea markets. It’s a shop for deep diggers who want to find rare and unknown records that slipped past streaming and history.

Record Shop: HEARTBEAT VINYL, 26 Rue Godefroy Cavaignac, 75011

Melik opened Heartbeat after years of DJing and running a record shop in Nice. The Paris space is tight but packed with soul. This record store is specialised in “club” music, especially jazz club, funk, and electronic music but you’ll also be able to find a lot of different genres. Melik also sells rare vinyls, highly sought after by collectors.

so, you can be sure you won’t find scratched or low-quality vinyls, Melik personally vets every record. It’s a shop built on taste, precision, and love for club culture.

LISTEN!, 43 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011

Listen! is a small record shop in the 11th arrondissement where you can find second-hand vinyl that you won’t find anywhere else. This store offers an eclectic selection ranging from jazz to psych, prog, library music, funk, soul, and much more. The selection is small but very sharp, especially when it comes to records from Japan. Thomas travels back and forth to Asia to obtain the best quality Japanese pressings and collector’s editions. 

With vinyls ranging from €5 to €500, there’s something for everyone.

TECHNO IMPORT, 16 Rue des Taillandiers, 75011

Techno Import opened in 1993 and still pulses strong. Mazen built one of the first record shops in France specialized in electronic music, and it’s the only one who’s still open since the 90s. It’s one of the most diverse shops for electronic music. All while red neon lights bathe crates full of techno, acid, house, electro, Detroit, minimal, hardcore and much more.

Consequently, new releases share space with end-of-stock gems. It’s loud, dark, and iconic. A must for any raver or vinyl head.

If you’re looking for more address in Paris, check this article : Bookstores Of Paris

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NICHE PERFUME IN PARIS : 5 SHOPS YOU NEED TO KNOW