Junhee, the founder and designer behind Mont Kiji, invites us into her Paris — full of beautiful detours, local discoveries, and quiet creative sparks.

Every Street Is Different

My whole neighborhood is my inspiration. I live and work in Saint-Germain-des-Prés — the Left Bank — right at the heart of it. If I turn right, I see one thing. If I turn left, it’s something else. Every walk feels a little different.

I don’t have one favorite shop. I just walk. If something catches my attention, I stop. That’s it.

Little Streets Over Big Names

We’re tucked away on Rue de l’Echaudé, between Rue Jacob and Boulevard Saint-Germain. Rue Jacob has a lot of small galleries and little stores. I like the small streets better than the big ones. The big names are on the main roads. I prefer where the small people are.

Quiet Treasures That Anchor the Street

On my street, there are two galleries I really hope survive: 

Martinez D., which specializes in old prints and holds regular exhibitions, and Documents 15, just next door. They help set the tone of the whole street. It’s what keeps the neighborhood from turning into all clothing shops.

A Little Culture, No Reservations

There’s also Musée Delacroix nearby. It has a quiet garden inside. 

Maison de l’Amérique Latine always has free exhibitions, well-curated and surprising. 

And if you walk toward Luxembourg, you’ll find the Zadkine Museum. It’s mostly sculpture, very peaceful, with some greens around it. A good spot if you just need a quiet fix.

Inside Tip 🪄

La Palette, on Rue de Seine, is my kind of café. It’s not too touristy, and it’s been around a long time. Mornings are for coffee people. Evenings are for wine and watching people walk by.

Contact

🌐 Mont Kiji

About

Junhee Kim is the Paris-based founder and designer behind Mont Kiji, a silk scarf brand with a 100% Made-in-France ethos. Before launching her brand, she worked at Balenciaga, Emmanuel Ungaro, Sonia Rykiel, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Mont Kiji scarves are produced with traditional silk artisans in Lyon and small ateliers in Paris, supported by a nonprofit collective Junhee co-founded to uplift independent designers.

Her boutique is in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where she continues to connect with customers through artful objects, expat spirit, and meaningful design.

Lead-in Image

Musée Eugène Delacroix / Facebook