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.