How is Notre Dame?

 

Who can forget that terrible day April 15, 2019. The whole world stopped and watched.

 PBer E. just wrote me, “I appreciate your recent shot of Notre Dame.  Cathedrals have been an important part of my life - I worked for 20 years in the National Cathedral in DC. It’s good to see that crane sticking up towards the sky. That means the long process of rebuilding is beginning.”

On my way to the Prefecteur May 7 for my visa appointment, I had to walk by Notre Dame. 

I’m so happy Paris, with assistance from JC Descaux, have put up these big billboards. 

Its keeps us all informed on the day-to-day details of the reconstruction. 

I thought you’d want to see them.

 I didn’t keep count.  But there are many photographs.

The photography is from Magnum Photo Agency. They are beautiful. Often astonishing. 

Plus detailed interior diagrams and boards of written explanations. Thankfully in both French and English.

They are all along rue du Cloître-Notre-Dame. Its a don’t-miss when you come over, which could be sooner than you might expect 🤸🏾‍♀️

 I asked my Landlord/proprietor if he had seen them yet? “Oh yes” he assured me, just like the cherry blossoms at Jardin des Plants. 

Hmm...someone is late to the soirée/party☺️

Thank you Mary for your fun photo and review in my shop👏👏👏

And thanks everyone for your jolly response to the newest single letter, the Paris bookshop map. You might like the Shakespeare and Company letter too. A nice set for Father’s Day? Or for anyone ‘bookish’📚 If you have any other favorite please letters let me know.

Enjoy your Sunday PBers where ever you are 💋🍓🌸🐻

Paris Bookshop Map, La Fete de la Coquille Saint-Jacques en Montmartre

Bear 🐻 insisted we get oysters & scallops on Sunday at the annual Brittany Fete de la Coquille Saint-Jacques in Montmartre.

First stop, a half dozen freshly-opened Breton oysters (8€).

Note they are served with a little knife. Use this to loosen the oyster from the shell with a scrape or two at the muscle on the left side...the white roundish bit. Then free the rest of the oyster going round the edge lightly. Tilt and swallow. That's it. No squeeze of lemon or sauce required. Not if you want to get the full briny flavor of Brittany. 

Never use a fork 🍴 to cut up the oyster. SVP! Please.

There was lobster bisque. Brittany is a great source of France's seafood and I've yet to go.

Bretons were whooping it up. The band was playing. People were singing.

Plenty of Champagne and Sancerre flowing. Its not just for birthdays and anniversaries PBers.

This year I bought a pound box of scallops. 25 for 25€ So worth it.

I'm mad for scallops and I've always wanted to paint them. Testing 1-2-3. First do a really good pencil drawing.

Then get loose and go to town. Draw loosely with a brush the shadow shape, in this case I used a plastic Aqua-waterbrush.

Build outwards, adding the different layers and textures.

I added in the orange coral surrounding the scallop for color.

This is the first time I finally cooked them right. Having 25 on hand makes you fearless. 

1. Get a frying pan really, really hot on high heat with a chunk of butter and a bit of olive oil. It should zizzle when you throw in a drop of water 💧 

2. Get scallops out of the fridge at least 20 minutes to reach température. Salt and pepper. 

3. Toss into the hot pan. They should brown quickly in a matter of minutes. 

4. Throw in some capers & a good squeeze of lemon 🍋 into your now browned butter. 

5. Serve with a green veg like spinach, brocoli or a green salad 🥗 

Do not let the scallops wait for the veg. Voila. Easy peasy.

This month's PARIS BOOKSHOP MAP, went out 📬 on Saturday. The French are bookaholics. No question. 

There are endless specialty bookstores and book events. Salon du livre is a huge don't miss at Porte de Versailles in March. Its for the public, not a trade show only.

Have you been to the bookstore in Hotel de Sully? A well-kept secret.

Tucked away in an archway at 62 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 just across from Metro staion St. Paul.

Also known as the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, they publish beautiful books on France and Paris of course.

A goldmine of stunning books. They have monthly tours (in French) to various monuments (10-19€). I'm going Sunday to see the appartments of the Duchesse de Hotel de Sully. Full report to come.

Shakespeare and Company generously donated loads of bookmarks to put in the map envelopes and i made some too.

Do you love coquille saint Jacques? You can get one of these watercolors + a 33-page scallop recipe book when you subscribe to Paris letters and maps. 

UNE BELLE ANNÉE!  Woof.