My Chambre de bonne, January Paris map

Surprise! We got snow today. A rare treat in Paris. Only the 3rd time in 6 years living here.

                                  Le Pauvre Poéte by Carl Spitzweg 

When you live in a 'room at the top' or CHAMBRE DE BONNE (a single maid's room) you have expansive views of Paris but little interior space.

My view, on a clear day, extends from Sacre Coeur on the left to Bastille on the right 180 degrees. 

Living space is très petite. Rooms usually have a surface space of 6-12 meters, with sloping walls. Often called a garret. Mine is a 'double' so 21 meters. Not that I mind small spaces. My bedroom as a child was an attic extension. Big rooms make me uncomfortable. 

In the 1800s garrets became a defining feature of Second Empire architecture in Paris. My garret is an 150 year old add-on to an 18th century building. 

All chambre de bonnes are located on the top floor with usually 6 flights to climb. I'm have an elevator/encensor 🤸🏾‍♀️

There are a few days when the elevator doesn't work/ne marche pas. 

I huff and puff.

Visiting AMY THOMAS of PARIS, MY SWEET, climbing up 6 flights for a croissant tasting in 2012. I didn’t know I'd end up in similar digs 2 years later.

A rare day when my staff, the elves cleaned up. Normally chaos reigns supreme in my studio. 

I love the view from Amy Thomas' garret and added it to the January map.

The 'paper doll' cutout stage of the January Best Views of Paris map. All bits and pieces. Some of those best views of Paris, aside from the usual Suspects can be experienced from a chambre de bonne if you're lucky to know someone. Amy's view is on upper right of the map. Its the newest subscription BONUS watercolor ->  A bunch of cats sitting in garrets. 

If you enjoyed this post please support PB by buying my Paris maps, letters & watercolors. And share with a Francophile. Meanwhile Bear 🐻 is outside dodging snow ❄️ balls 

Paris My Sweet, Croissant Tasting

 Eating croissants for breakfast doesn't seem too bad.

 While gazing out the window at Paris rooftops.

 So what if you have to climb up 6 flights to reach your chambre de bonne...

 As long as Milo is waiting for you...

 Amy Thomas of Sweet Freak did this for a year and a half

 And ultimately wrote of her eating adventures in Paris My Sweet.

 Amy rode her Velib bike to all the best patisseries like Pierre Herme.

 She even tasted Herme's famous FAB chocolate gateaux with the cerise on the top - something I'm still dreaming about.

 We met at Cafe Carrette for a gouter/snack but keeping up with Amy's capacity for sweets has me running in place.

 Amy's book is full of sweet eating tales of both New York and Paris (Amy ate these last week from the new Georgetown Cupcake. She doesn't miss a trick in either city sweet-wise).

 Maybe I if Velibed around Paris.

Or climbed 6 flights for a croissant, I could catch up to Amy but I doubt it.
Bon Appetit Amy!