Ruby chocolate, Salon du Chocolat 2018

Last night Bear and I went to the inauguration of this year's SALON DU CHOCOLAT at porte de Versailles. Its open from today until November 4th so you're not too late for chocolate immersion.

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Where ever you turn there are reminders around Paris.

The newest hottest trend this year is 'ruby' chocolate originating from BARRY CALLEBAUT, a Belgian-Swiss company. Made from the ruby cocoa bean, the chocolate's taste is both sweet and sour. Its made from unfermented cocoa beans which often have a natural redish-pink color.

Shards of Ruby chocolate

Fruitiness is the thing this season. Adding red fruits to ruby chocolate.

If the chocolate wasn't the new ruby flavor it had dehydrated strawberries. Red is IN!

Chunks of dried berries from a Japanese chocolatier

A twist from Fauchon, not on the ruby bandwagon. This buche de noel is made with beets (betterave)! For display purposes only. No tastes on offer.

Ruby-colored crepes topped with whipped cream

Not to worry. Of course there was plenty of trés riche French chocolate. Here squared Opera cakes from Duchene.

Exquisite pastries on offer. More than 200 top pastry chefs will be demonstrating their refined skills. 500 exhibitors from 5 continents. BEAR did not make it to every display last night

We somehow missed the fashion show but if you're clever you can catch it every day at 5pm.

George Larnicol, the kouign amann king from Brittany was making wonderfully savory bites with regional Boskoff carmelized onions - a nice relief from all the sweet flavors. Bear was smitten. If you're in Paris do visit. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

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Bisous bisous

Paris at night

I was going to post on something different but this weekend has been a sad one. I learned my sister was good friends with a victim of the synagogue shooting in Pittsburg.

The beauty of Paris can be restorative. Now I'm walking more I'm discovering more of the island I'm so lucky to live on.

Sometimes visitors ask me if its OK to walk around Paris at night. I think it is.

The calm. The peacefulness. The lights on the Seine. It grounds you.

Right now the wind is blustery outside. We're having an early taste of Winter this weekend and its too cold for a night walk.

Sending you warm wishes ☕️ From Paris XOXO Carol and 🐻

Cafe Saint Regis letter & Petit Dejeuner Letter

NEWS ALERT! The October letter from Paris is in la Poste 📬 for those wondering what happened.

You would think painting a Paris breakfast would be easy. It is not.

Bagues d'Homme de Yves Gastou, Van Cleef Arpels

L'ECOLE VAN CLEEF ARPELS can always be depended upon for astonishing exhibits. Run, don't walk to see the ring collection of YVES GASTOU. His gallery of rare antiques is still on 12, rue Bonaparte next to the school of Beaux Arts. But 669 rings from his collection of a thousand can be seen for the first time at l'Ecole, 6, rue Danielle Casanova until 30 November. Above the pink topaz of a bishop.

'Jewelry is a talisman, becoming part of the wearer just as it bestows strength and confidence'.

Monsieur Gastou at the opening

There are seven themes in his collection. Here neoclassical rings. Other themes represented; chivalry (signet rings), Gothic, religion, vanitas, ethnic jewelry and curiosities.

An amazing display for the rings is in the shape of a medieval cross, especially designed by interior architect Jérome Thénot.

Gastou grew up near CARCASSONE. Medieval themes of Jean d'Arc and armor abound.

I spent only a week drawing in Carcassone last year and felt positively medieval. Growing up nearby could definitely make one prone to myths, heraldry and armor.

These turret rings - did they hide poisons..? Every ring in the collection tells a story.

Some rings date back to Egypt. Gastou was given his first ring at age four. He started collecting seriously at sixteen.

Moroccan ethnic rings.

A surprise to see university or even high school signet rings.

And quite a collection of 70s biker's rings

The top of this ring opens to hold who knows what?

The hor d'oeuvres at l'ECOLE VAN CLEEF ARPELS are always jewel-like. They offer a host of excellent jewelry classes at all levels.

I did wonder briefly whether M. Gastou ever considered collecting the toy rings inside Cracker Jack boxes. Somehow I think not... a riveting experience to visit this exhibit and very highly recommended.Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox 📮, look in my Etsy shop. 

Bonne Vendredi PBers!

Le Marché des pays l'Aveyron at Bercy

This past weekend was the big annual vendanges/wine fete de Montmartre and lesser known, smaller annual Marché des Pays de l'Aveyron in Bercy, 75012.

The 3-day MARCHÉ takes up few streets, yet is chock-a-block with delicious regional food specialties. FYI l'Aveyron is in the Massiv Central department.

 I've yet to visit.

Masses of hand baked goods made with regional walnuts or prunes. Buns were covered with bees.

Tempting prune pockets were very popular.

Eau de vie from local fruits; pear, quince, plums. A small sample was way to strong for me cough, cough.

So many producteurs of Roquefort.

They all offered a variety so you tasted at least 3 vatieties per cheese maker.

This Roquefort cake mix looked interesting.

Beautiful knitted goods from (Correction!) FERME DE MALEFIGUE - Mohair from chevres/Angora goats.

Loads of duck products. Aubrac beef and charcuterie is also famous from this region.

Their Gateau a la broche is turned on a rotisserie

Its big in Paris Christmas markets because of its pine tree shape. The flavor is pleasent. Its more about the texture, form and regional tradition.

L'Aveyron Aligot is always served with saucisse. Made from mashed potatoes, Tome cheese and garlic.

I managed to grab a mini taste from sellers of the boxed variety. I'm sure the freshly made is far more flavorful.And much more sticky and stretchy.

There were long, long lines for these patties made with onion and blette (a kind of Kale).

I had small tastes of just about everything (who could resist) but I only bought a large pack of shelled walnuts, only to find walnuts in the shell around the corner. I am very well-supplied with nuts shelled and unshelled for the Winter and they go well with Roquefort. The l'Aveyron marché is a wonderfully rustic annual country festival you shouldn't miss if you're in Paris in October.

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters 💌 maps and watercolors in your mailbox 📮 look in my Etsy shop. 

Bonne semaine prochain