Jean-Frédéric Pouvatchy
July 2026
MEET THE BOULEVARDIER
Jean-Frédéric Pouvatchy’s route to Ménilmontant can shift with the mood of the day. From the 18th arrondissement, he might pass through Belleville, follow the edge of Buttes-Chaumont, or continue down Rue Saint-Maur, Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, or Rue Oberkampf. It is a stretch of Paris still marked by workers’ history, neighborhood bistros, small trades, artists, craftspeople, and the kind of social mixture that has not yet been entirely polished into scenery.
That walk seems to explain something about the way he works. Jean-Frédéric is attentive to the city not as a postcard, but as a living surface: layered, practical, political, beautiful, and always in the process of being made. In his workshop, that attention becomes paper, ink, pressure, and form. One day, it might mean helping print material for a protest. Another, working with artists whose images deserve a physical life. Another still, indulging a rather niche cocktail publication in its desire to recreate the texture and charm of old letterpress.
Below, Jean-Frédéric reflects generously on why certain things still matter when they are made carefully, by hand, with feeling, and in conversation with the people they are meant to reach.
THE MODERN DÉFINITION
Arthur Moss defined a boulevardier in 1927 as “a permanent fun seeker. Their life is a perpetual holiday.” What's your definition?
I’ll stick with the definition of a permanent fun seeker. The boulevardier is certainly a curious person, constantly on the lookout for the most interesting things Paris has to offer. However, I think he can no longer be the carefree partygoer he was during the Années Folles. Today’s boulevardier is someone who works and contributes to the city’s life. He isn’t on vacation; otherwise, in today’s world, he would just be a tourist. And that’s not an option!
THE SPARK OF THE CITY
Which street corner, café, bar, or park in Paris constantly sparks your creativity?
I like to browse in bookstores whenever I get the chance. To name just one, I’d say Yvon Lambert in the 3rd arrondissement. It started decades ago as a gallery that pioneered contemporary art in Paris. It still has a little gallery space, but now it’s mostly a terrific art bookstore, featuring books you won’t find elsewhere—titles not necessarily aimed at the general public. Everything there is inspiring.
THE ESSENTIAL DEMANDE
The original boulevardiers demanded “wine and a song” to set the scene. What two things (physical or metaphorical) do you “demand” to keep your life feeling like a perpetual holiday?
If I had to name just two things, they would be: enjoying the sunshine when the weather is nice (and not too hot!) and, of course, listening to good music as much as possible.
SILENT MUSE
Describe the single, most elegantly designed object at your desk or in your studio that affects your concentration and creative workflow.
My small desk lamp on my studio table. It’s an icon of French industrial design. The manufacturer is named Gras. This one is a reissue, but its shape has remained virtually unchanged since it was created in the 1920s. My studio is well-lit, so I don’t really need it. And yet, I can’t work without that warm glow it brings over the corner of my table.
THE SIGNATURE STEP
What is the small, daily ritual that makes you feel instantly well-dressed or put-together and the one thing that completes your look du jour?
I don’t really have a ritual, but there are certainly some clothes I like. I started wearing work jackets years ago, long before they became fashionable. I have to buy some quite often for my print shop because they get worn out quickly. Eventually, I started wearing them outside of work, too. Now, you see them absolutely everywhere. I felt it had become ridiculous when I saw them appearing even in children's fashion. Since then, I’ve tried to give them up, but I haven't really managed to do so.
LEISURE & L'INSPO
How do you integrate aimless wandering or quiet observation into your creative process? Which street, in any city, is your favorite for an aimless stroll or flânerie?
I particularly enjoy walking to my studio in Ménilmontant. It’s a one-hour walk from my home in the 18th arrondissement. Depending on the route I take, I might pass through Belleville, walk alongside the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, or stroll down Rue Saint-Maur, Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, or Rue Oberkampf. All along the way, there are bistros, small local businesses, and a lot of social and cultural diversity. It’s not overly touristy and not totally gentrified. Artists and craftspeople can also still settle around there, even though it’s becoming increasingly difficult.
Living and working in this part of northeast Paris makes sense to me, as it is steeped in workers' history and retains a distinct identity.
L’OBJET DU DÉSIR
What have you had your eye on lately?
It’s a building I pass almost every day and where I dream of setting up my studio. A former 1930s auto garage with a beautiful Art Deco façade and a large glass roof, right near Rue de Belleville. It has been vacant for years. But it’s huge and would undoubtedly be very expensive to buy or even rent. Renovation work has also started inside recently. So, I’ll almost certainly never set up there, but it still fuels my imagination.
L’ART OF JOY
What is happiness to you? Do you find your truest sense of joie de vivre in your work, your relationships, or your passion projects?
I find joy in my work just as I do in my relationships. In fact, connecting with others is central to what I do. I’m lucky enough to collaborate with artists whose work I admire. I also have plenty of interaction with my clients; they’re always delighted to visit the studio and appreciate what we create. And since I like to keep things stress-free, we just share good vibes. I think that makes it pleasant for everyone.
“QUOI DE NEUF ?”
What’s inspiring you lately or something you’re excited about?
The recent Hilma af Klint exhibition at the Grand Palais was a thrill. Huge canvases, vibrant colors, and the revelation that an almost unknown female artist was the one who invented abstraction. A little earlier, there was also the Nathalie du Pasquier and Pierre Charpin exhibition at the Crédac art center in Ivry. Installations that bridged the gap between design and visual art interacted with the large rooms of a former industrial building. I loved the beauty of it all coming together.
LAST CALL
In the spirit of The Boulevardier tradition, leave us with a drink and a song.
It could be "April in Paris", a classic jazz standard, performed by April Varner, a young New York singer I saw in concert last year at a bar on Rue Oberkampf. Right now, I’m also listening to a lot of Americana and bluegrass. Any song by Sierra Ferrell works for me. In any case, I pair it with a bottle of «pet-nat», a naturally sparkling white wine, well chilled.
As told to Patrick Dooley
