Optik by Michele B.

I was interested in custom made frames, but completely put off by the price at the most famous of shops. By sheer accident I stumbled across Optik by Michele B. What a FANTASTIC experience.
FIrst of all, Michele is a real artisan. And a delight to work with. She knows what she’s doing, can be of great assistance in make choices both for the design, and ultimately the materials that will work well with both the shape of your face and your own sense of style.
And — they are flexible, attentive, efficient. I can’t say enough positive things about the experience.
These are custom made frames. She has a good selection of «off-​the-​rack» ones as well, but it is really the custom made stuff that sets them apart. They have everything from bone, to tortoise shell, and literally thousands of variations of acetate frames. The choice would be overwhelming were it not for Michele’s ability to guide you through the selection process.
I’ve been wearing glasses for nearly 60 years. This is the very first time that friends remark not just that I have new frames, but how distinctive, stylish, attractive, and appropriate they are.
I bought the frames on a trip to Paris. Unlike others who do fittings in Paris and then ship the measurements off to elsewhere, Michele does all of the work on site. That meant that I could have my glasses three days after walking in to her shop — not three weeks later. It made the entire process compatible with a short trip to Paris. In may case, I decided to have the lenses cut and installed when I got back to the US. No problem at all. Michele installed clear lenses, and when I got hope they made the swap.
Her prices are comparable to the cost of frames in many of our local optical shops. But the quality, fit, finish and style are worlds better.
If I could give this shop 10 stars I would.

This business has two locations. I went to the smaller, but more interesting, 68 rue du Temple. The other location is 11 rue Postourelle. The proprietor is a craftsman with an expert eye for current style and a gift for choosing frames that flatter the wearer. The selection is considerable and mostly consists of frames that are made in the shop, thus the frames are unique and you will not see the frame you purchase on five other people every day you wear your glasses. If absolute exclusivity is the priority, one can order custom frames and select the shape and color.

C’est vraiment un opticien génial. Il fabrique lui-​même ses montures de lunettes.
J’ai toujours rêvé d’avoir les lunettes de Chirac en Bleu et il me les a faites ! Il n’est même pas plus cher qu’un opticien ordinaire et c’est remboursé par la mutuelle.
Le seul «petit «inconvenant est qu’il y a parfois beaucoup de monde (une fois j’ai attendu 30minutes). Il vaut mieux prendre rendez-​vous surtout en fin de semaine.