Yesterday in Paris

 

Yesterday as I was leaving for the Piscine 🏊 Saint-Merri at noon, this French tour group was studying the back of my heritage building

Our building was designed by renown 17th century king’s architect Louis le Vau, creator of Chateau Vaux le Vicomte, l’Institut de France, Versailles, and a portion of the Louvre.

Poor Louis looks world-weary after creating all those monuments, even with the help of André Le Nôtre and Charles Le Brun. He was badgered by Colbert for embezzlement of state funds.

Yesterday I discovered the Baroque music of musician Rafael Krux, whose work goes well with 17th century anything. Good for painting teacups ☕️ too.

Meanwhile in the front of our building yesterday someone on the 3rd floor was having furniture cantilevered through their window 🪟Everyday living in Paris is always full of surprises 

Post-pool, ravenous as usual, I saw this lunch line at a Libanaise sandwich shop on rue Saint-Merri. There is always a line so it must be good

I got on line for a felafel, even though I had a steak waiting at home.

The loukoum pistache (Turkish delight) was wonderful 👍 The felafel so-so 🤷‍♀️

I discovered an exquisite quiet park to share my sandwich with a sparrow. Square Roger Priou-Valjean at 10, rue de Figiuer 

Priou-Valjean, is of course a French Resistance Fighter (no relation to Jean Valjean in Les Mis). The park was created in the 1600s but renamed in 1961. FYI this is something the French do all the time - rename parks. Who wouldn’t want a Paris park names in their honor?

The park is just across from the ever wonderful library & exhibition space, Bibliotheque Forney build in 1475 at #1. I would have gone in but it’s closed on Mondays. 

FYI they once made St. James marmelade on the premises.

You can still buy jam here. I’m going to pick up a jar 🫙 next visit 

As a recovering jam addict, I once did an all-jam letter. 

Paris & France in general is obsessed with confiture wouldn’t you say? I’ve lost count how many jam/confiture posts I’ve done. 

This is wall-to-wall La Chambres au Confitures. They have 4 shops in Paris and different flavors for the 4 seasons.

Ah down the jam rabbit hole…after my so-so sandwich an ice cream seemed de rigueur. Berthillon is always closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

I stopped at l’Il Flottants, once a dollhouse shop & a penny candy store.

Anyhoo, I felt adventurous & tried a new flavor, Agenaise made from prunes with a touch of Armangac. Not exactly the 1st ice cream flavor that comes to mind on a hot day, but it was fabulous 👍

The French are mad for le pruneau d’Agen. It’s a taste you acquire easily living here. They are full of antioxidants (isn’t everything?) and help with wrinkles!)

The prunes go into a special oven for 15 hrs to roast to absolute lusciousness. 

Then are made into confitures, jus de fruits, Prun'choco, filling for crepes & eau de vie. *FYI with the pit included are considered more tasty and cost more. The same is true for French olives 🫒

Of course there has to be a musée du Pruneau in Lot near Agen in the Sud-Ouest, which I wouldn’t mind visiting.

 🥀 I finally made it home to work on my tea cup’s & the June Paris Letter. 

*I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. Sign up to receive whimsical treasures in your mail.

Thanks for reading PB ❤️

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