NYC Louise asked me, “Do the French have an Easter Parade?” No way.Solli and others asked me, “what was I doing for Easter?”
Nothing planned as usual. Saturday morning around 9:30…I got a bright idea 💡 Why not run 🏃♀️ to Laduree on 16, rue Royale for an Easter breakfast/p’tit dej & a macaron? This turned out to be a good idea. Not jam-packed yet. They have a basic Ladurée breakfast at 21€. Or you could spring for the weekend Brunch de Pacques at 65€. Almost 16 years ago I went for Petit Dej’ at Ladurée in June, 2007! They changed their china, had house made jam and better looking viennoisseries. Almost the same. It cost 17€ back then. It got very busy. Always best to go early 🕤 I was busy setting up still life shots Staff came running over to replace the paper pitcher protector so I would not burn my fingers! Haha Do not miss going upstairs. You can get up close and personal with their pastries on display. Yum Yum 🤤 Was a hidden camera 🎥 watching me? Plus peek at their private leopard 🐆 dining room Coming down the stairs you get a perfect view of the dining room. Fun, fun, fun 🤸🏾♀️ Do look up ⬆️ at the cherub frescos decorated ceiling Laduree’s Easter windows this year are faux roses + pretty flowered boxes. And their limited edition ‘Bunny 🐰 Lala’ Try to buy Bunny Lala & you will be out of luck. ‘Definitive Rupture’ means no more left 😥 One of the conundrums for an American 🇺🇸 in Paris is when the French run out of something. They do NOT restock. They do NOT make more. Planned obsolescence = panic. Naturalement some people will not take NO for an answer. Some people ran 🏃♂️ all over town looking for Bunny Lala Some people looked in the Louvre Carousel Laduree = Zero bunnies 🐰 Some people just happened to be near Laduree rue Jacob Ta da! One white rabbit lurked near the cash register. Mission accomplished 🤸🏾♀️ Even if I don’t like white chocolate - too sweet. I grabbed it & ran 🏃♂️ Did I say we stopped in Astier de Villate and found this must-have swan pencil sharpener? I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience.
Were you Mata Hari in a previous life, Carol? You don’t miss a thing. 🕵🏻 Lucky for us. Glad you had a special Easter breakfast, and found your chocolate bunny after an epic quest! ❤️
ReplyDeleteNo! I was Sherlock Holmes! Mata Hari did not chase down rabbits 🐇 Holmes may have
DeleteMata Hari: the Naked Spy
DeleteI don’t think so
You can watch it on Youtube
https://youtu.be/le9mTHNI8TE
Happy Easter! I love to see menus and will enlarge those on your post. That may be an idea for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s the idea Sally? I have illustrated menu covers for The Russian Tearoom. They may be using one of mine this weekend.
DeleteHappy Easter Carol🐇 the day before breakfast was a good idea. Who doesn’t love Lauren! I have been lucky to have visited them all. Happy that you were able to find LaLa Bunny & the swan pencil sharpener is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ga. you never know where a breakfast will take you..
DeleteObviously I meant Lauduree
ReplyDeleteHow about Laundree 😂
DeleteHappy Easter! Thank you for the lovely and festive post.
ReplyDeleteDo the different colors of Bunny LaLa have different flavors? The mint green makes me wonder.
ReplyDeleteFive quid for a plastic sharpener? Expensive, no? Jane G.
ReplyDeleteThe swan 🦢 is from Poland. ASTIER DE VILLATTE IS not known for it’s bargains. It’s the best reference I have unless I go outside and look at the Seine.
DeleteI stand corrected! Ebay has it for 12€,
Deletehttps://www.ebay.fr/itm/115724372176
Wrong again
DeleteThat one was made by upper-crust Stabilo (Swiss)
Dear Carol, What a beautiful, happy post! Thank you for taking me on a tour of fabulous places! I like Laduree’s old china better!
ReplyDeleteMe too. Maybe everyone was taking it home - too pretty 😊
DeleteLove all your postings, always. The Easter Post is especially sweet. Thank You for sharing Paris with all of us. Happiest Easter Wishes!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you, dear Carol !
ReplyDeleteYou’re adorable! Thanks so much for the Pain Perdu link - the video is ready but just awaiting the bakery to give the green light to publish it! Jill -Mad about macarons
Oh, I should have taken a photo for you yesterday of the gorgeous pastries in the cafe at the Legion of Honor Art Museum in San Francisco. At $8 per piece, I was not tempted to purchase--but oo, la la were they beautiful! My coffee was in a utilitarian white mug--not very artistic--but holds more coffee than a dainty cup
ReplyDeleteHmmm…that’s way higher than Paris prices for breakfast pastries 🤔
DeleteUnfortunately, the petit de'j at Laduree is far from the same as it used to be. Vienoisseries are now awful. No more of that beautiful croissant aux noix with the thin glaze in your picture. Pretty sad when the patrons speak French but the waitresses do not. My breakfast go-to in Paris for over 25 years but no longer.
ReplyDeleteShhh…I must agree with you on the pastries. But the old-world atmosphere and decor is worth it for me. Angelina has an excellent breakfast. Try it next time. Quiet too.
DeleteLoved this. I would do that too. I went on a search for marzipan hot crossed buns. Found every wonderful thing for my Easter meal along the way. Except the marzipan.
ReplyDeleteHmm…I dont think that’s French 🤔
DeleteHappy Easter to you, Carol! Merci beaucoup for brightening up my day (clouds and no sun!) I love the swan pencil sharpener as I love to use pencils. Maybe next visit to Paris I will find one to buy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and dear Bear. Your breakfast looks delicious and I am so glad someone found Lala the bunny.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your life with us. Sally
ReplyDeleteThat was a great idea! Looks like a tasty breakfast in a lovely place. Congratulations on finding the Lala bunny in the end! Also the swan pencil sharpener is very nice too.
ReplyDeleteI think I’ll do more tasty breakfasts in lovely places! Bonne idée Kirra ☕️🫖
DeletePlease do, going out for breakfast can be more relaxed than going out for lunch or dinner sometimes.
DeleteBunny Lala is pretty darned cute -- so glad you found her. And this next time I have to get to Laudaree. SO gorgeous. I like your Easter day! (And no strikes or demonstrations?!)
ReplyDeleteNEVER on Easter! Everyone is eating chocolate 🍫
DeleteI Love your Bunny story ❤️
ReplyDeleteLove this post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me want to be back over there! I especially want some more of that hot chocolate. I had it at Angelina and it was delicious. I love all of your little purchases! Carolyn
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! I discovered Jules Cheret by accident when a nice book was traded in at my family's used bookstore. I was fascinated with his personal history, his beautiful artwork, and the role he played in forging a path for commercial artworks. Until I learned of his work, I thought another favorite of mine, Toulouse-Lautrec, got most of the credit for legitimizing advertising artwork.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I loved was a reply you made about doing artwork for the Russian Tea Room in NYC. I have been in a Russian/Ukrainian/Slavic folk orchestra for 41 years in Atlanta, Ga. and have known several people who have played at the Russian Tea Room . One guy who is in our orchestra in Atlanta was actually the band leader for a few years when he lived in New York! Small world, non?
I really loved this post! I discovered Jules Cheret a few years ago when someone traded in a nice book of his work at my family's used bookstore. His personal history, his artwork, and his contribution to making advertising art seen as legitimate art fascinated me. Before I stumbled onto his work, I thought Toulouse-Lautrec got most of the credit for promoting commercial art.
ReplyDeleteI also was delighted by your mentioning the Russian Tea Room .... I have played in a Russian/Ukrainian/Slavic folk orchestra in Atlanta, Ga. for 42 years and have known several people who have played there over the years. One of our players
was the band leader for several years while he lived in NYC! Small world, non?