Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace

Mardi 5 Fevrier Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace

Who hasn't heard of La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche? Yet there are many other tiny specialist epiceries (grocery stores) all over Paris full of surprises.

On Sunday I decided to walk on the opposite side of the street & discovered this adorable tiny shop.
 

As soon as I spotted these 'etoile'/star cookies sitting in a basket I was toast. Like a magnet they drew me inside in a trance.These are a kind of pain d'epice but more cinnamon than honey and out of this world. Definitely in the same cookie famille with Speculoos and gingerbread. My Alsacian boulangerie had them for Christmas and then one day they were gone from the window never to return till the following Christmas = a tragedie.
 

In my trance-like state I idiotically asked the propriatoress,

"Oh are all your things from Alsace?"

Etoile cookies will do that to you.
 

I spotted the home-made jams and thought,
"Now here's something that may last more than an hour..."
So I bought apricot with little slivers of almonds called eclat. Miam. Of course the jam is practically gone. It's very easy to eat with a spoon straight out of the jar.

I was smitten with the traditional Alsacian jacquards and red checked fabrics.

This playful wooden toy reminded me of the Andre Helle collection from the day before...

As I was leaving the owner handed me a leaflet on Lips of Gertwiller - now the capitol of Pain d'Epice.

After looking them up this morning, if I wasn’t in New York I'd be on the next train to Alsace and the museum of pain d'epice!

Do stop in  Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace but not all at once. This tiny shop is the size of a closet.

81, Bd de Grenelle 75015 Metro La Motte-Picquet

And watch the fun video on how they make Pain d'Epice.

Musee du Jouets, Andre Hellé

Samedi 2 Fevrier Musee du Jouets de Poissy

You don't expect to fall in love ❤️ at 5am in the morning online. I was browsing cookbook author Rachel Khoo’s newsletter and a French illustrator she likes caught my eye 👁️ A special exhibition of his work was at the Musee du Jouets in Poissy outside Paris. I had to go no questions asked.

Bear, who's been quiet this trip, gave a whoop of joie at the chance to meet his French bear 🐻 ancestors 

But it was on to the newly discovered objet of my obsession: illustrator André Hellé (1871-1945).

Hellé not only created masses of illustrated books and journals but charming wooden toys to match. His line of toys and books was much sought after and particularly made for Le Bon Marché and grand magazine Printemps.

There's a modernistic feel to Helle's art.. 

Simple, graphic, brilliant color plus an inherent wit.

Though his work is quite sophisticated it's still childlike and playful.

I wish I could show you more.

A child's bedroom at that time could be all-Hellé including wallpaper, furnishings, books and toys!

With accompanying music playing by Debussy from the ballet, 'La Boite a Joujou'.  

Helle designed costumes and sets in collaboration with him for his little girl, Emma-Claude, nicknamed Chouchou

If you're visiting Paris and love toys the musee du Jouets is a mere 20 minutes ride on the RER A5 (last stop) + a short walk from the station to

1, Enclos de l'Abbaye Poissy

Open everyday except Monday 

9:30-12 and 2 - 5:30

It's a mini adventure well worth making IMHO.

The Andre Helle exhibit is on till 9 juin. 

BONNE JOURNEE!