Star in Bloom

A Best of France selection

For almost 20 years Left Bank floral star Marianne Robic has captivated a chic tastemaker clientele that ranges from iconic fashion designers to cutting-edge style gurus, aristocratic Faubourg Saint Germain hostesses and savvy Americans with Paris pied-à-terres. But her customers also include, Robic hastens to add, employees of the nearby government ministries and neighboring young families, who fill the shop with baby strollers on Saturday afternoons. On a recent autumn day, Robic was putting the final touches to a breathtakingly beautiful arrangement of roses, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums, a voluptuous bouquet that could not fail to enchant even the most blasé society matron. Like the fresh produce of a French chef, Robic’s ingredients are as important as what she does with them. This fall her hydrangeas have been chosen in tones of prune, Bordeaux and rose; ranunculus is lipstick red with striking parsley green centers, a forerunner of the holiday season. Carnations come in palest lime, their ruffled petals rimmed in coral. Flame-colored foliage and branches of scarlet and pink rose hips contrast with palm fronds springing from an urn. Along with generous monochrome bouquets, Robic’s “miniatures” are her floral signature. Posies might peep from a mini-pumpkin, its stemmed “cap” coquettishly askew. Three tiny coral-hued orchids in topaz-toned lacquered cachepots make a stunning table centerpiece. And for the stroller set, a mini-cyclamen (€4) in its miniature pot (from €3), makes an adorable present. 39 rue de Babylone, Paris 7th.

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Originally published in the December 2008 issue of France Today.