EXPLORING THE SHOPS OF LITTLE AFRICA WITH JACQUI NGO MPII, FOUNDER OF AFRIQUE À PARIS GUIDEBOOK
On a gorgeous spring afternoon, I meet up with Jacqui Ngo Mpii and Patrick Banks in La Goutte d'Or, the north Parisian district known by locals as Little Africa. Situated east of Sacre Coeur, La Goutte d'Or is a vibrant and active community, home to thousands of residents from North and West Africa. I am excited to experience Jacqui's "Made in La Goutte d'Or" walk, a carefully curated tour from the eyes of an insider.
The tour begins with Jacqui expertly navigating us through a sea of gorgeous black and brown faces while sharing the who/when/why's of how Little Africa developed into the neighborhood we see today. As we walk past fresh produce markets, fabric shops, and restaurants, the streets are teeming with an aliveness that is at once intriguing and energizing. Before I know it, we arrive at Peulh Vagabond, a bright and cozy shop that counts Beyoncé, as one of their biggest fans. We are greeted by shop owner and designer Dyenna Diaw, who talks to us about the theme behind her brand, the beautiful woven fabrics she uses and then graciously poses for a photo before we head to our next stop.
As we continue through the winding, bustling ruelles, we visit Sawa Shoes, Maison Chateau Rouge, and Holland Textiles, taking a break to enjoy mint tea and North African pastries along the way. I couldn't help but notice the incredible rapport Jacqui has cultivated with shop owners. At each location, we are warmly welcomed and, by the end of our pétit séjour, I have a significant collection of mementos (purchased using discounts found in the guidebook) to remind me of a lovely day spent in Little Africa with two delightful guides, now dear friends, Jacqui and Patrick. To book a tour or purchase the guidebook, visit Little Africa on Facebook and Instagram.
