A Marie Antoinette Shopping Experience: Guided by Joleen Emory in Paris, France

- Allie
3 days ago
3 min read

Interior of a historic Parisian apothecary featuring a marble counter lined with vintage perfume and fragrance bottles. Traditional rubber bulb atomizers hang below the counter, while a bouquet of fresh flowers adds color and elegance to the beautifully preserved space.

A Little History

I have personally known Joleen for over 5 years.

I first met this beautiful lady in Paris, where she was my makeup artist for a photo shoot with Rachel Calvo. Since then, she has done my makeup on three occasions (including the Versailles Grand Masked Ball), and I had the privilege of booking her for this unique shopping tour. She's the absolute best!

A Marie Antoinette Guided Shopping Tour

Described in her own words:

I will guide you through one of my favorite areas of the city to visit some of Paris’ most unique (and oldest) apothecaries, herbalists, and a modern-day pharmacy – that isn’t as modern as you might think!.

I’ll show you Marie Antoinette’s favorite ingredients to use in her beauty routines that are still used today, as well as some of my favorite French skincare products that I use in my professional makeup kit.

With a few delicious Marie-approved treats along the way, I’ll show you the Paris she would have known as well as introduce you to some of the women of her entourage!

French skincare and beauty products displayed on a marble counter alongside small drawstring pouches. Colorful orange and pink decorations fill the background, creating a vibrant setting during a guided beauty and shopping experience in Paris.

She even offers private tours tailored to your specific wants and needs! So if you're looking for something specific or have a vision for what you're looking for, she can adjust to match it.

Enough of that, let's talk about my day out and about with Joleen!

Elegant historic Parisian shopping arcade with a soaring glass-vaulted ceiling, ornate plasterwork, arched storefronts, and hanging chandeliers. The beautifully preserved architecture showcases the grandeur and craftsmanship of 19th-century Paris.

To begin with...

I want to highlight some of the absolutely magnificent buildings that she walked us through along our journey. None of which will be named, because you just need to book her tour!

You'll see sights such as these and more on her tour.

Shelves inside a historic Parisian herbalist shop filled with books on herbal medicine, natural remedies, aromatherapy, and wellness. Glass jars of dried herbs and traditional apothecary items surround the collection, creating a charming old-world atmosphere.

For my tour, we started off at an old apothecary, and she walked us around, offering up personalized suggestions.

Traditional herbal tea blends displayed on wooden shelves inside a historic Paris apothecary. Packaged loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions line the shelves, showcasing French wellness traditions and natural remedies in an old-world setting.

I'm a huge tea fan, so I picked up a few teas for stress, and even one for my friend for eye bags! They have tea for everything!

Joleen even personalized our visit with small gifts at each stop, including a custom tea blend. It was so cute and sweet!

Participants on a guided Paris shopping tour browse shelves of French skincare, herbal remedies, and beauty products inside a historic apothecary. A guide offers recommendations while dried flowers and traditional wooden displays create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Here you can see Joleen helping out some of the ladies with their selections.

Elegant arcaded walkway at the Palais-Royal in Paris, featuring grand columns, ornate stone carvings, striped awnings, and rows of manicured trees. The historic architecture creates a peaceful setting in the heart of the city.

We then made our way to our next destination.

This was a walking tour, so please be aware and dress comfortably with good shoes. If you have any specific needs, please contact Joleen to see if she can accommodate them. I'm sure that she could adjust her tour to your needs!

A bench beneath a canopy of neatly trimmed trees in Paris bears the French inscription, "Le verbe aimer est difficile à conjuguer" ("The verb to love is difficult to conjugate"). Historic arcades and elegant architecture stand in the background.

We walked through a beautiful park.

The bench translates to a bit of a play on words:

The verb 'to love' is difficult to conjugate.

Reflecting on the complexity of relationships and love.

Historic storefront of the famed Café and Restaurant Véfour beneath the arcades of Paris' Palais-Royal. Elegant black-and-gold signage hangs from the stone façade, reflecting the timeless charm and rich culinary history of one of the city's most iconic establishments.

Stopped to grab a little bit of coffee.

A small blue gift box filled with handcrafted chocolate medallions is shared between guests during a Paris shopping tour. One person lifts a chocolate coin from the box, revealing an elegant sweet treat inspired by French traditions.

Had a little specialty chocolate surprise (yum!).

Storefront of Galerie Patrick Fourtin on a quiet Parisian street, featuring black-framed windows set within a classic cream-colored Haussmann building. The location is recognized by many fans as one of the filming sites featured in Emily in Paris.

Walked by a famous Emily in Paris location.

Shelves of French sunscreen and skincare products displayed inside a historic Paris pharmacy. Bottles offering high SPF protection and eco-friendly formulas line the wooden shelves, highlighting popular French beauty and wellness products.

Stopped by a pharmacy with a bit of history, where I browsed some of the different sun tan lotions and beauty products.

Tried to stop by this particular location, but the line was rather crazy, so she took us to a secondary location.

Interior of a historic Paris department store featuring elegant balconies, polished wood floors, and beautifully arranged beauty and fragrance counters. Shoppers browse luxury products beneath a large central display, blending classic architecture with modern Parisian retail.

It was in a beautiful mall on one of the upper floors, and I wish I had more time there when we visited! Soooo much to see!

Display of French beauty products inspired by natural ingredients, featuring an open illustrated book highlighting pomegranate benefits. Elegant jars of skincare and cosmetics are arranged on a marble counter inside a historic Parisian beauty and apothecary boutique.

It's hard to say, but I think this was my favorite stop.

Elegant display of handcrafted combs, brushes, and beauty accessories showcased beneath glass inside a Parisian department store. The curated collection highlights timeless French craftsmanship and luxury grooming traditions in a sophisticated shopping setting.

Next time I visit Paris, I am going to buy some combs from this special collection.

This time, I limited myself to a natural rose perfume and a Moroccan lip tint in a clay pot. Joleen also threw in a little sponge as a gift as well!

Note how beautifully they packaged and labeled my purchases.

A traditional Moroccan-style lip tint in a handcrafted clay pot sits beside beauty tools and skincare products on a marble counter at Officine Universelle Buly in Paris. This natural pigment can be used on lips and cheeks for a long-lasting flush of color.

Above is the lip tint.

To use it, simply wet and rub the dye onto your lips, cheeks, or wherever you'd like. Absolutely adore the color and simple application. The stain stays on for a while, too!

Participants on a guided Paris shopping tour stroll through the tree-lined gardens of the Palais-Royal. Surrounded by perfectly manicured rows of trees, the group enjoys a peaceful walk between historic landmarks and hidden Parisian treasures.

This was Parisian shopping at its finest!

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience with a knowledgeable guide, look no further and book your own Guided Marie Antoinette Shopping Tour in Paris with Joleen today! I'm so grateful I had the time to make this happen and spend a few hours with this kind soul.

Bisou Bisou ma Cherie!

À la prochaine fois.