Yesterday in Paris

 

Yesterday, with the best of intentions (ha ha) I headed to the pool 🏊 and got there too late for the morning session (7 - 12:30)

Instead I went and got a much-needed haircut. Damien cuts it in 11 minutes (not kidding). Telling myself I’d hit the pool later for the afternoon session (13:30 - 18:00). 

Ah the little lies we tell ourselves…

La Fontaine de Mars, 75007

 

For years I’ve wanted to eat lunch at La Fontaine de Mars on rue Saint Dominique in the 7th.

Its a terrific example of your classic red checked tablecloth Paris bistro and the ‘Top’ to boot quality-wise. A president had a date night there… I stayed in an apartment around the corner, passed it often and dreamed a little… But going on your own sometimes is daunting. 

I looked over the menu online. Always a good idea. They have a reasonable daily plat du jour/daily special(23€). Bonnie said, when they stayed in the 7th, they would go at noon Sundays and get the chicken. 

Visiter Ann was staying in the 7th.  It didn’t take much arm-twisting to convince Anne we should go for Sunday lunch. La la la la la 🤸‍♂️

I made the reservation. So easy. They were so nice. They asked did we want to sit upstairs or downstairs. Downstairs (street level) I said. They really do prefer you make reservations ahead. Its not a museum. They need to know how many baguettes 🥖  to buy. 

French restaurants open for lunch at noon and close at 3pm. They will not let you in, even 1 minute before.  Its so much better to cooperate and play by their rules. Once you cross the threshold, you are in their domaine. 

Being there early means you have the place to yourself and can take a good look around. Take pictures. Nice old-fashioned soap 🧼 dispensers. 

When I do go into places alone, usually I know exactly what I want to eat and tell the waiter before they even bring the menu. I want them to know I won’t be causing problems or taking up too much time. Ann noticed the couple (spoke English too) next to us made a bit of a fuss ordering. In the end, they got exactly what they saw we were eating - the plat de jour 😊 

On Sundays, Parisians usually arrive for lunch around one o’clock 🕐 They like to sleep in on the weekends.

There is a very pleasant convivial feeling to Fontaine de Mars. How was the chicken you ask? We both thought it was the best chicken 🍗  we’d ever eaten.

Thank you for all your wonderful Duvet advice. My iPad (so helpful aren’t they) popped up an ad and I bought it. Yay Hooray 🍾 If you like this post please support it by buying my Paris letters and watercolors. And do pass on to someone who might enjoy it. Happy Mardi/Tuesday dear PBers! 🍷 🍷🍷🍷🐻

❤️

La Fontaine de Mars Watercolor

Patisserie Jean Millet 75007

An irresistable patisserie not far from where I stayed in May.

Jean Millet, original art, 9" x 12"Patisserie Jean Millet - 103, rue St. Dominque, 75007Do you know it? If you don't, you should!It's small but one of the best in Paris!I didn't know they were famous for their pain au chocolat.

I'll just have to return.

 They have croissants both big and mini.

Sable citron - miam - anything with lemon on it is a winner in my book.

 How convenient to have a cake named "Week-End" so you know what to bring on that trip as a presie.

These taste every bit as good as they look, I promise you.

I didn't know they have a chocolate factory on the premises - another reason to return.

You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner at Millet.

The nearest Metro is Ecole Militaire
Wouldn't it be nice to head over there right now.

BONJOUR MERCREDI!

75007 Paris

Remember I mentioned PB reader, Susanne, who lives in the 7th arron.

Well yesterday I did it. I booked my March trip to Paris. And I'll be staying in Susanne's pied-a-terre. This gorgeous hunk of quiche we ate comes from the boulangerie right downstairs by the way.

Susanne has moved on to a tiny village in Vermont. Yes it's true. I wonder if she's taken her blue and white treasures with her. Or will I get a chance to paint them. Susanne's place is a flea market shoppers dream, in case you didn't already notice.

Shhhhhh!

I took my camera into the loo, so I could show you all her treasures lurking everywhere.

Did I mention that Susanne's place is on the 6th floor?
I'm working out as I write this, prepping for climbing up those stairs.

I expect to collapse regularly into this cafe nearby.

Or this classic bistro - La Fontaine de Mars
129, rue St-Dominique

If I get homesick (never happens) there's the cafe Tribeca on rue Cler.

The fleamarket was closing by the time I got there but it looked terrific! I have to admit I've never been to rue Cler before. Dommage

(ext.3)For some reason I can't explain, I always procrastiinate like crazy booking my Air France ticket. And I always lose the AirFrance telephone number so I'm putting it here in bold type for next time

.

I did some research and discovered there are like are gazillion chocolatiers in the immediate vicinity of the appartment.WOW! A. Michel Chaudun‎ -149, Rue Université, 75007
B. Le Fleuriste du Chocolat‎ -49, Avenue La Bourdonnais, 75007 C. SAS Chocolaterie De Puyricard‎ - 27, Avenue Rapp, 75007
D. Les Petites Chocolatières‎ - 20, Rue Cler, 75007

E. Hévin Jean-Paul‎ - 23 Bis, Avenue La Motte Picquet, 75007

G. Renard Grégory‎ - 120, Rue St Dominique, 75007

H. A la Mère de Famille‎ - 47, rue Cler, 75007

I. La Maison du Chocolat‎ - 52, Rue François 1er, 75008

J. De Neuville SA‎ - 24, Rue Marbeuf, 75008
I know it's unseemly to say this but I cannot resist,
HOLY CHOCOLAT!!!!

It's a very good thing I will have those millions of stairs to walk daily. If YOU have any suggestions of stuff I should do in the 7th do tell S.V.P.!BONNE REVE!