A pig in Paris

Seeing a pig in Paris is not an everyday event.

There are certainly many pink meringues...but pigs? Non.

When I got off the train in Dijon (or any new town I land in) I always head into the first boulangerie in sight...like comng home.

Now Dijon had pigs. In marzipan. Sitting right next to the chocolate rats..

Monoprix has their big Lindt bunny out...sitting on the ham case. Why?

Bunnies have invaded Paris big time.

And hens of course a-laying.

Even sheep abound in dark and white chocolate. If you haven't been to l'Atelier du Chocolat you're missing out. They are a terrific chain from Bayonne, the original French chocolate city. Their closet-sized shops are all over town the Marais on rue Saint Antoine or rue de Rennes for example.

Leave it to artiste chocolatier Patrick Roger to present a curled-up hedgehog for Easter. Always a surprise.

Panda bears in Monoprix's new Asian Kawaii makeup promotion.

Regular teddys too. Irresistable.

The only pigs in town are at Plastics on rue du Rennes. Why the sudden search for pigs in Paris?

Yesterday running late to the pool, my houseboat neighbor was walking his pig.

I had to stop and admire, as did this cyclist.

Madame Grignon should really be named Madame Grognon (grumpy). Not the friendliest pig on the block. In fact she's down-right recalcitrant. I know. I once had the opportunity to try to walk her in the park. She is neither obedient nor polite. True she does not bite. She just makes unpleasent loud grunts and insists on going the opposite direction. Still Madame G does seem to fascinate.

The weather in Paris has been glorious. Yesterday hit 80 degrees.

Its been hard to tear Bear away from the window. If you have a pig or a pet who would like to go to Paris (figuratively), look in my Etsy shop full of Paris portraits, letters, maps and watercolors. 

Cheers!

Dijon Tartelette Citron

I had every intention of showing you the glorious Medieval architecture of Dijon, where I went to draw buildings last weekend.

But the first day I became obsessed with the beautiful pastries.

They too have a lovely kind of abstract architecture if you can look at them without salivating.

Wonderful colors

And oh the geometry!

Right in the middle of this lush display an owl was watching me...

Baby owls (chouette) filled the front window instead of pastries?!

Here's an old postcard of the patisserie/boulangerie.

And today. Note the owl painted large on the doorway of Aux delices de la Chouette.

The boulangerie is just to the side of Dijon's church, Notre Dame and it's famous carved owl.

You're meant to rub the owl with your left hand for good luck (thank you Chantal for filling me in), but these tourists were using both hands for good measure.

That owl is the mascot of Dijon, seen everywhere in all forms, some edible. Note the snail.

Burgundy is famous for its garlicky, parsley snails so natch I had them the first day.

If your not into crustaceans you can have your snails in chocolate

Dijon's trusty owl is embedded into the sidewalks leading on a trail of historic monuments.

I'll get to them soon I promise.

Meantime, would you believe I bought this 3 stunners with every intention of painting them. Major ahem. Its true I only ate the fruit topping off them, except for the rectangular cassis moussy thing in the foreground. Irresistible. And cassis IS the local specialty. The March Paris pastry letter is up on Etsy should you feel hungry. If you enjoyed this post and want to support it, Subscribe to Paris letters and maps or forward to a friend. Cheers!

Saut Hermes 2017, Hermes Sevres-Babylon

Last Friday I went over to the Grand Palais. More pictures on my Instagram. Please follow..ahem

The preview for a big Rodin centenary was opening. And Saut Hermes 2017 in the nave.

So far I have not been able to get a press pass inside the equestrian jump show. Maybe next year.

Still its great fun to watch gorgeous horses parading in and out of the back door.

Love the look this horse gave me.

Grand Palais is in general a horsey place, trés a pro po.

There are tons of Saut Hermes videos on Youtube if you want a look inside at the jumping.

Those tails are fabulous no?

The riders are not bad looking either. If only I could whistle...

Les Paris flic passed by on horseback and gave me a half-smile when I took their picture too.

If you missed the annual March Saut Hermes you can still catch plenty of horse gear at the big Hermes Sevres-Babylon store.

A horse of a different color?

Is this really an alligator child's pull-toy? Qui sait.

Hermes' latest perfume is called of course 'Galop'. Only 1 L svp.

Horse gear print silk scarves are forever. I have one tucked away somewhere from eons ago...

The space was formerly a swimming pool so quite spacious for Paris

Those perfect Hermes orange cravatte boxes. Yum yum.

Speaking of Hermes orange, Bear and I are off to Dijon tomorrow, home of pain d'epice, also a lovely shade of orange. We're taking a drawing stage (course) dans le rue and inside the museum. Do you have any Dijon tips? Do tell svp. If you enjoyed this post and want to support it, buy Paris letters, maps and watercolors or forward to a friend. Cheers!