Heritage and contemporary
Two categories: heritage paint-makers (Sennelier, Zecchi — they actually formulate and produce pigments on premises) and large multi-floor art-supply emporiums (Modulor, Cass — broad inventory, contemporary brands). Cities below offer one or both.
Paris
Paris Sennelier (since 1887, Quai Voltaire facing the Louvre — Cézanne, Picasso, Degas all bought here). Magasin Sennelier carries paints, papers, oils, pastels — premium prices but legend. Plus Adam Montparnasse, Le Géant des Beaux Arts. Saint-Germain historic art-supply zone.
Florence
Florence Zecchi (Via dello Studio, since 1912) — historic Florentine painters' supplier still grinding pigments. Renaissance art-restoration knowledge bound up in store. Combined with Florence's accademie di belle arti programs.
Berlin
Berlin Modulor (Prinzenstraße, Kreuzberg) — three floors of art and design supplies. Berlin art-school student staple. Less heritage, more "everything you need for a project."
London
London Cass Art (multiple stores), L. Cornelissen & Son (Great Russell Street, since 1855 — historic, atmospheric), Atlantis Art (Brick Lane). UK strong on watercolor and printmaking traditions.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Vlieger Papier (since 1869, paper specialist), Van Beek Art Supplies. Strong on paper and bookbinding given Dutch printing heritage.
Vienna
Vienna Boesner art supplies (multiple Austrian and German cities). Lukas Künstlerfarben heritage paint brand — buy directly at Vienna shop.
Strategy
Heritage paint-makers worth shopping for unique pigments unavailable elsewhere (Sennelier soft pastels, Zecchi natural-earth pigments). Carry-on bags safer than checked for fragile pastels and inks. Paper stationery the writing-side companion.