Paris Mosaic: meet artisan florist Majid Mohammed of Muse

MyFrenchLife™ – Paris Mosaic - Muse - flowers - MyFrenchLife.org

There is so much more to Paris than its famous monuments. In fact, one of the things we at MyFrenchLife™ love most about the City of Light are the beautiful artisan businesses that line the city’s streets.

In our view these small businesses and the passionate people behind them are exactly what give Paris its magic and unique charm: les fleuristes, boulangeries, patîsseries, fromageries, et bien sûr, les chocolateries.

Enchanted by their beautiful displays and inspired by their talent and dedication, we’ve brought together the Paris Mosaic series, where we introduce you to the faces behind these Parisian gems.

Amusez-vous !


MuseMyFrenchLife™ – Paris Mosaic - Muse - Majid Mohammed - MyFrenchLife.org

Address: 4 Rue Burq, Paris 75018
Opening hours:
Tue – Thu 10.30am – 9.00pm
Métro: Abbesses

The name alone of this florist in the 18th arrondissement of Paris gives it an ethereal quality, not to mention the beautiful, gold coloured font in which it is printed on the banner outside the shop.

Situated at the heart of what was once the centre of a flourishing artist community, Muse is a relatively new business, sitting on a street lined with pretty apartment buildings and the occasional café.

The quartier, a vibrant and multicultural area best known for the hill of Montmartre, is the ideal place to open a shop as unique as Muse. The owner and manager is Majid Mohammed, who made a drastic career change just a couple of years ago. Feeling himself being drawn back towards arts and culture, Majid opened his florist, Muse, on Rue Burq to fulfil his strong desire to create.

Muse is small but full of splendour. Majid’s flowers are not heaped together randomly, but carefully chosen and displayed according to the season and the fêtes of the year, like Mother’s Day.

The delicate scent of the plants and their vivid colours create a pleasant feeling of dizziness when you walk in, and the decoration – stone statues, dainty fans and dark furniture- almost gives the shop an oriental feel.

We had the pleasure to talk to Majid about what motivated him to take such a drastic career change, from office work to becoming an artisan florist.


MyFrenchLife™ – Paris Mosaic - Muse - Majid Mohammed portrait - MyFrenchLife.orgWhat made you choose this profession, and how have you succeeded in making it a reality?

It’s a solo business, and it’s been around for more than one year now. Before, I worked in accounting for 15 years.  I’m the only one who works here!  I wanted to return to something more natural, something connected to art and culture.  After accounting, I can say that the atmosphere here is a little different.

I have succeeded because I don’t see this type of work as a normal job – that is, where you start at 9am and you finish at 6pm. Rather, for me, it’s a matter of creating, of always offering a wide assortment and working hard to succeed. It depends, but often, I start by preparing the flowers at 5am, and I finish at 9pm.  It’s a long day, without a doubt.

What is your favourite moment of your workday?

When I have the chance to discuss different kinds of flowers for different occasions. The French often buy flowers for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Labour Day (the first of May), for Christmas, and for the 21st of December. I choose my flowers especially for each season.

What is the main element that contributed to your success?

To succeed, you need to be a hard worker! You also need a certain sensitivity and to be a connoisseur of the arts. You need to be interested in culture, decoration, and the connections between all of these things. In summary, to be a florist, it’s not just about liking flowers. It also means loving culture, art, and beauty.

MyFrenchLife™ – Paris Mosaic - Muse - flowers 1 - MyFrenchLife.org

Do you have an anecdote to share on the social aspect of your work? (a special client, a particular event…)

Oftentimes, people think that the clients who come to Muse are romantics—men looking to impress their wives or their girlfriends. But it’s not really a matter of being romantic; it’s a question of the attention these customers bring to the discussion of culture and art.

Nonetheless, it’s true: the French (and Parisians) like to have flowers in their homes. There are some people who buy flowers every week, especially when they have guests.

Which creation are you the most proud of?MyFrenchLife™ – Paris Mosaic - Muse - flowers 2 - MyFrenchLife.org

I prefer creating natural bouquets with rare flowers. My passion is to create special bouquets that follow my clients’ descriptions of their lovers’ tastes.

Which is the preferred flower by men for their wives?

Everyone looks for peonies. Lilacs are associated with mourning, which is false.

Do you have some favourite neighbourhood places to share with our readers?

Hôtel Particulier
Pavillon D, 23 Avenue Junot,
Paris 75018

Have you ever made a career change in order to follow your passion? Tell us about it in the comments below!


Experience more artisan beauty with us in our Paris Mosaic series…
Introduction // Le Furet Tanrade // Thalie // La Petite Chocolatière // FJ Fleuriste // Boulangerie Bruno Solques // Rêve // Fromagerie Goncourt // Au-delà des Prés // Boulangerie des Artistes // Les Fleurs d’Aline


Image credits:
1, 4, 5 © Stephanie Williamson
2, 3 © Majid Mohammed

About the Contributor

Judy MacMahon

Experience FRANCE beyond the CLICHÉ with MyFrenchLife.org MyFrenchLife is for Curious Savvy Francophiles wherever you are. Meet Francophiles in France, online, and/or wherever you live. You’re very welcome to join us - Judy MacMahon - MyFrenchLife.org

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One Comment

  1. Barbara May 27, 2020 at 12:39 AM - Reply

    Reading MyFrenchLife always puts a spark of inspiration into my day.
    Have a good one,
    Barbara

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