Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Lèche-Vitrine

What we call window shopping.
Is a much more serious hard core activity in Paris. In fact it's known as "faire du lèche-vitrine." Translated as licking the windows - a tad gross wouldn't you think for the very proper French?
Men do it just as much as women in Paris.
Equality of the sexes and all that
Even Parisien hounds do it. Well what do you expect if you put the merch right out in the street?
Here some Parisiens are lined up waiting their turn to get up close and personal to the window...hmmm 
Some shops have open windows and sell delicious crepes, so perhaps there is good reason to call it window licking
Inside at Fauchon, this customer is attempting to merge with the food case.

Outside Fauchon a potential customer is giving the vitrine/window a head bump.
Granted there is often writing on French windows, so she could be reading
This boulangerie window even has poetry. I wrote a poem about looking in Paris windows here. That's how inspired I was by Paris windows
A French bunny is reading wine labels
As are this couple.
And who wouldn't be at Legrand Filles et Fils, one of Paris top wine shops.
1 rue de la Banque 75002

Another deadly serious window gazer.
She moves in closer.
If only one could pass through windows just by wishing

And grab a tartelette a l'orange at Jean-Paul Hevin's  I'd do it in a second if I could.
Bon Appetit!

21 comments:

  1. Rebecca9:30 AM

    I really enjoy your 'Paris Breakfasts' posts, they have cheered me on many a grey day [in the UK].
    Thank you very much!
    Your recent post on window shopping reminded me of this beautiful book I have a copy of, that you might be familar with?
    If you do not have it, you must have a look at it/treat yourself to a copy.
    Just flicking through it transports me to the streets of Paris and the associated sights/sounds/smells.

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  2. Leslee9:32 AM

    HI Carol,

    I am as usual, loving the vicarious walk thru Paris with you most
    mornings...

    I don't know if you have read, but I suggest you might enjoy the book called
    Foreign Tongue by Vanina Marsot.
    A+
    Leslee

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  3. Gosh!
    wish I was there.

    Have to get back to Paris one more time before I kick the bucket.

    Yvonne

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  4. HAHA! I love that phrase. I was in Paris once and was looking so closely at the chocolates in the window, that I SMACKED my head on the glass and ended up with a huge knot on my forehead. The glass was so clean, that I didn't even see it!

    Meg

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  5. I'm sure I've done that more than once...
    Hahahahahaha :)

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  6. I love window-shopping. Especially in NY at Christmas time. I remember those windows from when I was a little kid--the moving mannequins created whole story lines, didn't they? I miss those days--they were just magical--definitely windows worth licking. ;)) Thanks for the shot of nostalgia, Carol.

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  7. I was doing that all the time in Paris..couldn't get enough of it, and I was always out walking looking for more shops :-)

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  8. this post made me smile... i wonder if these people realize how funny they look... i know i have done the same thing ! especially at fauchon! x pam

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  9. Very cute post, Carol.
    I love how everyone is so in style, too :)
    (Thanks to your blog, I know what the styles are, too!)

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  10. I would love to be in Paris!! I certainly would be with my nose sticked to the windows!!

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  11. Just found this, and thought you might like the Eiffel Towers they have......

    :-) (standard disclaimer; no affiliation with them!)

    http://www.lesinvasionsephemeres.com/collections.php#

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  12. Valérie-jeanne6:38 PM

    I found another macaron site for you, check it out: melangerbaking.com. The writer is doing the 12 days of Christmas in macarons!

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  13. You pauvre naif! That rabbit is no more trying to read wine labels than I am trying to gain weight! No! He is plotting! He has heard of a place with very easy pickings called Longears and is wondering if that woman with the camera might have an "in" with the Mistress....maybe she will liberate him from the window and take him to the Promised Land?

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  14. Anonymous10:12 PM

    Haha! After the record number of window stoppers you seem to have found in Paris, I think the French will no longer be known so much for their baguettes or fromage, rather their "lèche-vitrine" habits. C'est très drôle!! :)

    xx
    • Choubelle •

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  15. Anonymous10:12 PM

    Haha! After the record number of window stoppers you seem to have found in Paris, I think the French will no longer be known so much for their baguettes or fromage, rather their "lèche-vitrine" habits. C'est très drôle!! :)

    xx
    • Choubelle •

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  16. So cute! The French can even make window shopping look glam - and maybe just a little silly. ;-)

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  17. Bonjour Carol!
    What a funny but true post! My favorite shot is the woman at Fauchon kissing the glass. Your blog is always a highlight for me!

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  18. I like how you describe the people and situations. Please continue to show us more of every bit of Paris & France. Therapy for the lovesick soul.

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  19. eatlotsachocolate.blogspot.com3:42 PM

    LOVE everything french, especially their chocolate. I have a small chocolate company and use French and Belgian chocolate. You might want to check out
    "thestylesisters.blogspot.com
    I am hosting a giveaway and it ends today.

    I truly enjoy reading your posts, they are delightful!!! Thanks

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  20. Serge Hayot12:10 PM

    The term is used in French and not only in Paris or France for windows shopping as you indicate. I believe the intent of the translation refers to a wanton desire for the item you are looking at. Translated literally it would be left to the imagination as buying windows which would have no relationship or meaning with the term. The same reason jokes when translated need a lot of work or they loose their intent or pun.

    Café au lait anyone au petit bistro du coin.

    Serge

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  21. Anonymous1:14 PM

    Bonjour Carol,

    A very nice blog you have set up here. I was searching for "leche-vitrine" and Google translate was apparently not able to translate it. Your post was very helpful and funny as well.

    Thank You,
    Dhruvit

    ReplyDelete

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