December rue Rambuteau Map

Hooray!

and Rat-tat-tat-tat The good news is the December Map is done and mailed out mid-month! A rare occurrence indeed. Don't get used to it Parisbreakfast Map subscribers. I can't promise next month will be the same. The bad news is I'm terribly late sending out some BONUS WATERCOLORS!

They  will be dispatched shortly.

I'm always looking for map/Sketch letter inspiration. When I spied an adorable Alsacian illustrated postcard at the Christmas market (Gare de l'Est) it was instant love. And instant sticker shock (3€ for one card! Ouch). After sleeping on it I ran back and shelled out. When inspiration comes along you have to shell out. That's how it goes.

A year ago Coco Jobard showed me a wonderful jam jar tea towel from an Alsacian illustrator friend, Blah de Blah, Blah. I called and asked if she had more of his work? His name is Guy Untereiner . He's impossible to find in Paris. I've half a mind to run off to Alsace to find him...

Coco offered to lend me his books. She's been spending the last few weeks testing and tasting HUNDREDS of chocolates for P.Hermé's next cookbook.

Life is tough for some...ahem

I wanted to put silly animals in the festive December map instead of silly people. Thank you Coco!

Elaine Sciolino of Rue Des Martrys has been a big help. The book plate I made for her helped me figure out the rue Rambuteau street sign. Gingermen where are you in Paris? Never mind. You can't have everything. Also Elaine says I should always put a bird a frame on it.

Thank you Elaine!

Rue Rambuteau in the 3rd arrondissement - a straight little street chock-a-block with yummy pastry shops. The first shop to bring everyone running is PAIN DE SUCRE with it's square tomato tarts plus rosemary shoots.

Two passion fruit tarts were essential for research here.

Pain du Sucre's beautiful buche de Noël are bound to be unique.

Just across the street, Les Fees Patissiers

Known for it's tiny bite-size morsels of layered flavors, sometimes 3-4 layers.

Berko is another miniaturist specializing in mini-cupcakes

Very satisfying. Why didn't I try these passion fruit cuppies?

Next door classic chocolate shop, A La Mere de Famille just moved in.

They have a winner buche de Noel that stands out from the rest. Not your average jellyroll buche. I love the hoof prints on snowy roof. Caramel lurks within. Chocolate too.

Back to doodling geese, bears, sheep and the (missing in Paris) Gingerbread men and women.

You can catch the entire December map on Etsy.

*It's not too late to give a French gift to someone near and dear.

I'm happy to email you the December map/Paris Sketch letter.

Simply print it out and stick a bird bow on it.
The actual gift letter will arrive soon from Paris. 

Voila!