Baguette Stalker

"Parisien Boy" by photographer Willie Ronis

Everyone knows this world famous photo by Willie Ronis of a Parisien boy carrying a baguette.

But who knew that most Parisiens do walk around with a loaf of bread under their arms in broad daylight. Look at these two sisters getting training early.

Naturally the older sister gets to carry the baguette...humph! Can you tell I'm a younger sister?

I spotted this woman coming out of the boulangerie. I started following her hoping for a shot.

Uh oh! She's spotted me stalking her.
Gawd, you'd think with 6 baguettes under her arm, she's getting in supplies for a restaurant? Not the case in France. It's the norm to stock up for the day.

Isn't this the typical Frenchman trying to decide which wine will go best with his bread.

Here's another thing...the French are quite content to walk around with their bread PRACTICALLY NAKED. Exposed to the air, to street pollution with just a tiny paper "diaper" around the thing. Wa'?

I have a favorite boulangerie where I go for a wonderfully grainy, nutty baguette on rue Vavin. It has no name so don't even ask(they've since moved to Chile. Why ever?).
But why is it when I go in, the saleswoman before I open my mouth takes my baguette, neatly cuts it in half and sticks the cut ends into the bag so no bare bits are hanging out. How did she know I was a crazy-hygenic American? Was it the way I knotted my scarf?

 The end of this fab bread, which Rick says I must tear off and eat in the street. It's de rigueur. I first bought their bread just for the adorable bag.

Here's another rule of thumb in France. When eating in a restaurant or as a guest at someone's home, ALWAYS take your half-eaten bread and PLACE IT ON THE TABLE. Do not ask for a bread plate or butter. At home you can put your bread wherever.

A PB reader told me I MUST go into this boulangerie on 64, rue Saint-Dominque 75007 and I'm glad I did.

There are 6 Le Moulin de la Vierge throughout Paris. They are all equally beautiful.

Did I mention that everything I tasted was DIVINE.

The French love these little worker figurines. A bit like garden gnomes in Amalie...non?)

Another bread phenomenon. Not just restaurant menus chalk boards are out in the street to peruse. Bread menus too.

 What happens to the bread you don't carry under your arm - it becomes delicious sandwiches like here at SECCO (formerly Poujauran - they bought all of his recipes by the way) at 18, rue Jean Nicot 75007

Regarde!(Look) French babies start training while still in the strollers.

Don't we all want to pass as Parisians? Admit it.

Here are some rules (regles):

1. Get on line, any line.
2. Carry a loaf of bread under your arm, preferably naked (I mean the bread! not you).
3. Walk with a straight-legged stride.
4. Never run across the street even if the light is red.
NEVER! Your straight-legged stride will get you quickly, expediently across the street. Plus drivers will see your baguette like a flashing headlight.
5. NEVER wear a hat even in Artic temperatures (frequent in Paris).
6. Wrap 9 yards of fabric around your neck at all times, but you've heard that before a million times.
Oh and try to keep your mouth shut (the biggest give-away)
AND DON'T WEAR SNEAKERS! (no longer true.)

7. And find a dog to drag around.
~

Err...this was a repost I didn't mean to repost.
C'est la vie.