Sunday, February 09, 2014

Meert Paris

First of all, THANK YOU darling PBers for all the lovely messages and warm welcome to my new home in Paris! I'm looking forward to sharing many new adventures on the island with you.
 
Frederic, the manager of the new Meert shop (since 1761) in the 6th (3, rue Jacques Callot off rue Mazarine) somehow found Parisbreakfast and decided I must come visit on Friday. It's a mere 15 minute walk away.
 
This shop is bigger than the Marais store and absolutely dreamy.
 
Come inside.
 
All 19th century fixtures are modeled after the famous first Meert shop in the Northern town of  Lille. I have to go there.
 
Remember we were talking about candy as medicine? In the Middle Ages Medieval knights brought back all manner of spices and herbs from the East. Many went straight into the coffers of pharmacists of the day, to be made into elixirs and pills(dragees). Frequently they were stored in these big glass jars still used in most French candy stores.
 
Or ceramic jars like these. Pharmacists were truly the first candy makers of their day. Just consider. They had ginger, cinnamon, vanilla (brought back by Cortez from Mexico), licorice, almonds, citrus, lavender, anise, sugar and finally chocolate just to name a few ingredients to work (play) with. These were luxury items savored only by the rich. Luckily things have changed.
 
Here's some favorite medicine, guimauve/marshmallows, I fell instantly in love with at Meert.
 
Their framboise guimauve is some of the best I've tasted in France. Now I get it! Goodbye Campfire marshmallows. I'v moved on.
 
Meert is of famous for their Flemish waffle cookies filled with a cream made of butter, brown cassonade sugar and Madagascar vanilla. Seasonally, the flavors can change to marron/chestnut and rum or pistachio and Morello cherries etc.

President de Gaulle was a huge fan of these waffles/gaufres. He grew up in Lille but remained attached. De Gaulle's driver was sent from the Elysees Palace to fetch a dozen cookies weekly. He did the 'waffle run' I guess.
 
This shop is so darn pretty. Even if sugar never passes your lips you have to visit. And they do have lovely gift items like cards and books.
 
Gorgeous chocolates too.
 
And caramels.
 
Marron glace.
 
Only on Saturdays does Meert receive a delivery from Lille of special pastries from their tea salon like le Cramique (6,50 a brioche plain, sweet or with raisins) and perfect with Meert's devine jams.
I couldn't resist getting le moelleux a l'orange and le moelleux aux fruits rouges (2.80 each). Anything red fruits I'm a sucker for.Yes, I came back Saturday morning.
 
An homage to Meert's owners is set up in the shop.
 
Look at adorable feves/favors that hide inside Meert's galette du roi (Lindsey has a picture here). More instant love. They're taken straight from an old 19th century ad on the cover of their new beautiful double bookset. Yum. Don't miss Meert Saint-Germain next visit please. More pictures to drool over here.
 

31 comments:

  1. Finally a merchant who understands the power of a blog ....this shop is definitely on my tourist list of things to do a Paris!

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    1. You would definitely Love it Jeanette!
      Loaded with gorgeous graphics and the packaging is to die for.

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  2. Great watercolor to open, and then lots of great photos.
    The interior shots are so well lit, looks like a studio shoot :)
    Nice humor in that de Gaulle photo.....

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  3. Meert has the prettiest Easter windows! Go back and enjoy them and share them with us at Easter. Such clever displays. Hope you LOVE your new home and hope Bear does too.

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    1. Thank you Marie and thanks for the window tip!
      I have a feeling I'll be gazing in often...

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  4. You have once again landed in heaven!

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  5. It looks like heaven & fairyland all rolled into one, I'd want to try everything, so I think I'll just hang back 'et faire du lèche-vitrines ' Fab photos.

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    1. It is dazzling. But no reason not to taste something.
      And they have 'Lille' prices !

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  6. Free samples .....maybe.....to Australia!!!!

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  7. Love this---I stopped by the shop when I was there--due to Richard's piece on Meert. So charming

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  8. Thank you very much! i am very happy, very good article and comment! thank you thank you
    A bientôt dans ma boutique :)

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  9. In my mind, that would be the epitome of the perfect little candy store in Paris.

    The standard by which all others ought strive.

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  10. J'adore ton BLOG! Bravo.
    C'est comme une madeleine proustienne pour moi. J'étais étudiante à Paris dans les années '50. Your blog keeps my dreams alive!

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  11. I'm in love with the Monogram:) The small doll favors..how adorable..and your aquarelle..
    I bet their apothecary jars gleam.

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  12. So glad Bear got to keep the pink chair when you moved. ;)
    Congrats on being "discovered". Waffles, marshmallows, and brioche, oh my!! You know where I'll be on any given Saturday! x Katie

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    1. A perfect place to supplement your Cordon Bleu classes!

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  13. Lynne C10:38 AM

    This is a joy to read and look at the beautiful pictures....thank you!

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  14. Thank you for the wonderful articles in your blog. I look forward to reading them and they make me feel like I'm back in Paris. Congratulations on your new home. Lucky Lucky girl.

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  15. oh swoon! one of each, please!

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  16. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE A PRETTIER SHOP THAN LADUREE --- BUT YOUR PHOTOS HAVE OVERWHELMED ME.
    PLEASE PLEASE OFFER YOUR PHOTOS, FOR SALE - !!!
    i want to frame them and put them on the walls of my kitchen……
    never have you inspired me more - than today's photos.
    i am in heaven…..

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  17. Love that watercolor.

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  18. Rosemary Flannery4:36 PM

    beautiful post, Carol. I'm going to send my driver on a waffle run, too, just like de Gaulle! :) Hope you're enjoying your new home. xox R

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    1. And I'm sending my driver on a framboise guimauve run...

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  19. Diane Dorrans Saeks4:40 PM

    meert IS ONE OF YOUR GREATS...and I can't wait to go there...esp for the weekend pastries. Great location...and so well done...
    Love your painting...

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  20. How fabulous for you and Bear. BTW, don't miss Auberge de la Reine Blanche @ #30 for your own petit cast iron pot of coq au vin. Deelish. And the doll house furniture on the walls will make for a great painting. Tres quaint.

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  21. Fun candy store in the 9th, at 30 rue Fontaine-metro = Blanche. Madame Acabo is a character(well known) and is the only one that Bernachon allows to carry his wonderful bars outside of his Lyon shop(s). Check out the place and pick up a Bernachon bar with caramel. Unbelievable. Ask Richard.

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  22. All that lovely chocolate! Oh, how dangerous it might be for me to even walk through the door! But I suspect I would be in absolute heaven! I'm so glad he invited you -- and extra happy you shared the news. The list gets longer. And longer!

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  23. I have no chocolate in the house! This post has made me so hungry I may have to eat a couch cushion.

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  24. Gorgeous store....tempting sweets....interesting history...
    Thank You.

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  25. Carol, it's completely delightful to see all these sights in your new neighborhood. As others have already commented, it seems as if your dreams are coming true.

    I have a question...has the atmosphere of the island now begun to enrich your dreams? I would expect that would be the case, as your daily "waking" experiences are enriched. xo

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    Replies
    1. I don't think I am dreaming when I sleep.
      But everyday is a dream when I'm awake so...

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