La Galerie Vivienne Paris map

Yesterday I painted a Bordeaux tea tin (or it could be Burgundy...I asked and they could not tell me) from famed epicerie LEGRAND FILLES ET FILS inside GALERIE VIVIENNE, January's Paris map.

Am I the only customer who goes to Legrand for tea, though they have a wonderful epicerie full of classic French regional food specialties.

Customers have been going since 1880 for their superb collection of French wines.

Legrand has not yet lost the Christmas spirit

And neither has the Galerie Vivienne. Hurry up. I don't know when they will take down the lovely lights.

Another wonderous shop and there for at least 30 years is Wolff and Descourtis. Stunning chalis & cashmere stoles all fabricated in Lake Como with a decidedly Oriental flare. Fabulous. A must-see.

Of course my fav shop is 5-year olds, Si Tu Veux. I've been dropping in for years.

This time I met the owner, madeleine Deny. She has been there 30 years! I bought the little picnic tea set to paint last night I've been admiring it for weeks..

Do take note of the wonderful decor in the passage throughout, designed by architect François-Jean Delannoy in 1826.

The famous mosaic tiled floors were designed by G.Faccina.

They lead you right out to rue Vivienne.

Where you'll find Le Grand Colbert at No. 2, rue Vivienne. No more Noel here...triste

I went inside thinking they might sell me their signature coffee cup but they only had mugs. Still, I was delighted to see the same tile floors as in the main galerie.

Then back out into the night. Pouring rain. Do not say 'cats and dogs'. I've been corrected. 

It’s 'ropes'. Il pleut des hallebardes/cordes.

Thank you for reading Paris breakfast. If you like this newsletter, forward to a friend. 

Gift yourself & your friends Paris letters, maps, watercolors. 

Keep warm and dry, Carolg and Bear 🐻 

Enfin the January's Paris map 🗺️