>From time to time CR listers ask what bike shops there are in Paris that are worth a visit.
Of course there used to be dozens, paticularly near the Arc de Triomphe..Boissis, Branton, Oscar Egg, Wolber, Danguillaume, La Roue d'Or, CNC etc
All have gone..
Now an optimistic Frenchman bearing an Italian name who is better known to Listers by his eBay pseudonym of ROCVALE - the seller of some of the most delightful retro French goodies, has taken the bold step of opening up a new shop...not in the suburbs, but in the centre of Paris, in the 17th Arondissement, near the Gare St Lazare,
If you happen to be in Paris and strolling westwards along Pigalle, Boulevard de Clichy, having spent some time doing the sight-seeing bit at the Sacre Coeur, the Moulin Rouge...keep walking until you have left the former sleezy red-light area, the bouloevard dips a little down to the left...then not far away on your right look for the Rue des Batignolles..take it..straight ahead towards the Batignolles area..
The check your map and find* rue de la Condamine, No 91, Paris 75017..... L'Atelier des Velos (ADV..for short)*
The new detaillant/magasinier is *Lorenzo Savarino...*he has very bold plans..but it will take time. From what I know of his huge stash of reto goodies I know that he could fill the shop several times over...but I suspect that Lorenzo, a very shrewd and immensely likeable chap, will be astute enough just to keep a small collection on display..just to tempt the passing American and English..and Japanese tourists
Lorenzo has started to assemble a web-ste..so watch this space .. http://www.atelierdesvelos.fr
And when you've had a good lively chat with Lorenzo or his elder son Enzo, then it's not too far, straight ahead, yet again..and a bit to the right to Alex Singer's shop.
Norris Lockley
Settle UK