At E. Dehillerin, the labels affixed to the utensils do not indicate prices, but rather reference numbers. To find out that a small metal mold numbered “8200-30” costs 1.69 euros, customers must flip through a thick printed catalog available in the aisles. This unusual pricing method immediately sets the tone for this historic store.
Located on Rue Coquillière in the 1st arrondissement, this store—which is over 200 years old—resembles a raw, utilitarian labyrinth. The back room seems to blend into the sales area. The walls disappear behind rows of steel stoves—which are particularly heavy to handle—and stacks of copper pots and pans. The latter, prized as much for cooking as for decoration, command much higher prices on the store’s price list.
A basement of industrial proportions
To explore the space, you must take a staircase leading to a basement as vast as the ground floor. This low-ceilinged area stocks equipment designed primarily for restaurant professionals. The aisles are cluttered with giant Dutch ovens, imposing vegetable mills, and boxes of equipment stacked on wooden shelves.
In the nooks and crannies of this cramped space, customers often have to rummage through simple metal lockers to find what they’re looking for. Chef’s knives, various tongs, sturdy whisks, and highly specialized tools like shell shakers are piled up in bulk. The store thus continues to supply Parisian chefs with heavy-duty, technical equipment.