Performance artists at Salon des Champagnes et des Patisseries Fines

What a fabulous whirlwind the past few weeks have been ending in the grand finale - the two-day Salon des Champagnes et des Patisseries Fine at Pavillon Ledoyen Sunday was a festive family day There were many children (free from ages 3-10). Monday was for professionals, journalists, restauranteurs etc.

I'm just coming down to planet earth...maybe too many bubbles..ahem

My work station right next to the pastry demo station.

Fortunately I painted quite a few champagne glasses before i left the house sunday morning.

The right setting for all the exquisite desserts. Here the new Hotel Crillon pastry chef Pablo Gicquel demonstrates a miniature version

Of his choux d'amor - vanilla creme, almond praliné, full of vanilla bean

Patissier chef Guillaume Sanchez signs my watercolor

Chef James Berthier of Sucré Cacao made this lush morsel - a deep chocolate base, plus black cherry, plus black sesame flavored chantilly on top.

Pavillon Ledoyen's pwn pastry chef, Aurélien Rivoire combined courgette flowers and strawberries with a vanilla cream.

Plating the 100 desserts as the crowd looked on patiently waiting

Pavillon Ledoyen's top 3-star chef, Yannick Alleno jumped in to help the team plate desserts

Miniature peach-red current meringue pavlovas from Cafe Pouchkine's chef Nina Métayer. I missed tasting this one but I had the fullsize number earlier in the week at the cafe. I was 'rehearsing' you could say for the big event...

Not to forget the 34 stations of champagne! Many small producers were present.

It was an opportunity to taste smaller family brands like grand cru, De Sousa

As well as big names like Billecart Salmon, Pol Roger, Lanson.

A number of wineries asked me to paint their bottles onsite

I loved painting this deep green bottle of Aspasie plus the chunk of chalk from their caves.

All tasting glasses were provided by Spiegelau,

A big THANK YOU to the many PBers who showed up at the salon, including macaron queen, Jill Colonna of Mad about Macarons, whose background training was as a sommelier. The two days were a delightful whirlwind of tasting, painting, and imbibing beautiful bubbles. Plus the chance to participate with Paris top chefs. Now back to Paris maps, letters and reality. If you'd like a dessert or champagne watercolor or letters from Paris let me know🥂🍾🍒. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. Cheers Carolg

Lobster Land, Trouville sur mer

For 3 days I've been doing hand-to-claw combat with a lobster. Finally I zeroed in on just painting the claw and capturing that inimitable 'lobster red' in watercolor. I think I nailed it.. There is almost no place I love better than Trouville sur mer en Normandie. Sand, sun, ocean, boardwalks, Victoriana

And lobster, my fav food. Early lobbie thumbnail sketches...

Trouville's Marché de Poissoniere was busy, busy at lunch time...12:15 and every table filled. One hour's wait. Françoise said, Let's have crepes? No way José!

I took my homard de Breton/lobster + plate and cutlery away/pour importer...

It was 90 degrees in Trouville. Hot, hot, hot. Finally a cool, quiet place to plunge into my lobster. In fact quite a few people climbed those steps, wishing me a, "bon appetite!"

The night before I ate classic Normand moules/mussels

At one of the 30 classic bistros serving moules. It doesn't matter where you go. It's all good et pas cher.

At dusk, the obligatory orangie Apero is de rigueur on the boardwalk by the sea.

During daytime Trouville beach may be hot and crammed with tourists, not that I care..

At night temps drop. Bring a jacket. While everyone is off eating moules

Cool your toes in the surf and stroll. So relaxing.

My hotel was OK. FYI, no AC.

Still with temps down in the 60s I could paint comfortably in my room

That perfect isolated beach.

What to wear in Victorian Trouville sur mer?

Ruffles if you like, a long loose skirt with flip flops. Trouville is not a fashion center. Anything goes.

Better yet, shed it all and throw yourself into the cooling surf. Next visit, I'll stay longer. Meanwhile Trouville lobsters are up on Etsy. Get a watercolor among other French goodies 🍒 in your 📮mailbox. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you enjoyed this post please share. Cheers Carolg and Bear

Showing Up

I was supposed to show up at this last nite !!! Grrrr My landlord had a lute concert in our jardin and I HAD to show up!

I missed FABUOULOUS PASTRIES from FOU DE PATISSERIE at the new MAISON PLISSON. Grr

I borrowed tHis pic from @Parischezsharon..the BEST person to follow on instagram for what's going on in Paris pastry! I mean it. Join the thousands. Sharon never disappoints.

I thought if i ran up to the new Maison Plisson 2 I'd catch a few shots. No luck..

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Paris visitors! FAIT ATTENTION! Look where you are going or as Louise says you MUST scrutinize the sidewalk. Why? Because Paris, unlike New York, is constantly making repairs. Paris has great infrastructure. Any potholes get filled. Bumps in pavement...same thing.  So you can easily fall down. I did  2X, once cos of construction.

Regarde. A common sight on Paris streets. Crutches. You have been warned.

I'm running to get my annual visa papers ready for monday's 10:30 rendezvous (sounds so romantic non?) at the Prefecture de Police. I Must show up or get kicked outta France. C'est comme ça.

Right now I am running to gare st lazare to go to Jane klares sketch walk in Trouville. I have to show up or else.

I hope to get wet.

Eat lots of this!

Yes, I am still way over-excited about the Champagne/patisserie tasting. Some of you have said you will SHOW UP! Hooray! Sunday 8 july for 35 champagnes + 14 Top pastry chefs. Plus me madly painting their pastries to boot. Meanwhile Paris cherries are up on Etsy. Get the BOWL OF French CHERRIES PRINT 🍒 in your 📮mailbox. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you enjoyed this post please share. Update:I missed the train. 2hrs to correct all spelling errors and chill.🤪 Dyslexicly yours,🍒CG