Les Fraises de Paris Map

The Paris maps began in May 4 years ago so you will get 2 maps this month🥂🍾 Two birthdays/anniversaires this weekend! I'm celebrating mine in DEAUVILLE, but not telling any birthdates.

French strawberries are May’s theme.

Marché d'Aligre map

I used to come to Paris & never visit the MARCHÉ. I was terrified. What was I thinking?

Marjorie Williams of Markets of Paris (and Provence) has a little VIDEO to help you overcome your fears and discover one of Paris' great vibrant treasures. Easy transport- take Metro 8 or bus86 to stop Ledru-Rollin. A good shortcut I discovered yesterday - turn left onto rue Antoine Vollon.

At #8 grab a terrific sandwich at top patisserie Blé Sucre. They have Paris' best madeleines to boot. Walk to the end of the park and turn left.

Take rue Theophile Roussel into Marché d’Aligre. At #1 drink 'une verre' at le Baron Rouge.

Gorgeous fait maison chocolates at Puerto Cacao at #2. Their exterior is patterned like a chocolate bar.

David Lebovitz likes bistro Le Charolais around the corner on #15 rue de Cotte for their steak frits.

Just across the street is the covered market, Marche Beauveau.

Inside beaucoup specialty purveyers; poissonnerie, fromageries, traiteurs l'Italiane, bieres, marchand d'epices.

And bio patisserie Jo and Co.

Then head out the front entrance into the heart of the marche.

The most accessible of all Paris' markets, Marché d'Aligre is open 6 days a week from 7 am - 1:30

Another great plus is you can help yourself without getting yelled at at d'Aligre

There are plenty of free tastes & you're not obliged to buy unlike some other markets. Prices are great. There is always room for bargainng. Most vendors are multi-lingual I've found but do say your 'Bonjours' like Marjorie suggests.

Come 12:30 you'll hear vendors singing 

"UNERO, UNERO, UNERO!" (1€)

Its Sale time in the market.

Don't miss la Graineterie in the corner for potted herbs, unusual grains and beans.

The daily scruffy flea market in Place d'Aligre sells old books, kicknacks. I was so busy shooting I missed seeing this great find. A top hat Moet and Chandon Champagne ice 🧊 bucket! All I could see-Japanese fans. Will it be there tomorrow..?

Paris map inspiration comes from where ever. I discovered 19th century chromos prints of vegetable people. I couldn't resist throwing them in. Please do not miss out visiting Paris' vibrant markets. There's no better place to start than marché d'Aligre. Its in the 12th arrondissment by the way. As someone asked,'where's the 12th?' Next Time I'll add a mini arrondissement map. 

Would you like more markets or a passage map perhaps? Do tell. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

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The market flower 🌺 girl is singing, "Li-la, li-la"

The New Paris, March patisserie map, Karamel

I was going to do fromageries for March. Then a PBer requested patisseries svp. Bonne idee! I consulted Lindsey Tramuta's list of 'new sweets' in her THE NEW PARIS for an update.

It comes out April 18, but you can order it toute suite. It will be the new Must-Have source of Paris info.

With stunning photos by Charissa Fay.

I learned a lot doing pastry research. L'Eclair de Genie now has mini eclairs(3€). Just a yum too.

Have you heard about Karamel in the 7eme?

A plethora of caramelized goodies. These innocent-looking poached pears are plum full of molten caramel. I saw pictures on google...

A glorious looking caramelized eclair was calling my name.

But I went for this mini trio with a citron meringue tarte on the left.

Fou de Patisserie on 45, rue Montorgueil, 75002 is the place to view and choose something from all of Paris' top patissieres. And now you can munch on their tiny terrasse.

Gilles Marchal, Cyril Lignac, Hermé etc. Not easy to choose.

Just accross the street at No.30, Les Artizans is a bistro-combo patissierie.

Outstandingly gorgouse pastries in my opinion. What do you think?

Rue Montorgueil is def a good destination to try new places.

Cafe Pouchkinette has opened one of the pretties tea salons in Paris just 3 months ago

We might be feeling iffy about the Russkies these days but their pastries are exquisite.

Cyril Lignac's Chocolaterie is both cafe and patisserie on 25, rue Chanzy.

And they have cocolate marshmellow bears! That's what I've been up to, between hanging out in museums and gawping at Chanel show-goers. There's a new Special anniversary pair on Etsy - the patisserie map and pastry watercolor letter come as a set for a limited time! 

Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you like this post and want to support it, buy the new Paris letter, map and watercolors or forward to a friend.

Bon week-End!

Tea Salon Map

The Tea Salon map is in la poste📮 Everyone is talking about Barbie exhibit at Musee des arts decorativ, but do not miss HOLLYWOOD STARS at Musee de la Poupee!

Franchement I found Barbie too big, too expansive and too impersonal.

rue Francois Miron map, Noël BHV, Patisserie des Reves

You're late...you're terribly late said Alice to the White Rabbit.

The White Rabbit is a close cousin of mine...BHV  has AGAIN SPLENDID DECOR for Noël.

The theme is 'Noël So British' and the store is chock-a-block with liberty prints, Beefeaters and tea pots.

As always BHV has witty windows

You may very well think you landed in London..

Lots of tea-pouring animation in the windows. Especially at Christmas the French love British products like 9 O'clock dinner mints..or is it 8 O'clock?

British umbrellas and very nice wrapping papers, ribbons and all manner of paper items on the 2nd floor.

Bear was invited to the Patisserie des Reves tea salon on the 3 rd floor

To taste Philippe Conticini's 2015 Buche de Noël

Three especially delicious Christmas gateaux with accompanying flavored chocolates.

The far left is praline, hazelnut base and an insert of lemon cream.

Middle buche is a classic chocolate and vanilla cake.

Far right a classic roll cake that tastes completely different with cheery jam and vanilla mousse.

All the cakes are delicate and light, perfect after a big Christmas dinner.

Pastry chef Philippe Conticini came around and chatted with each of us at length - a warm and charming man.

Conticini started many trends in the pastry world including his famous glass globes and his prize-winning Paris Brest and St. Honore

Pink, pink, pink - a fun emporium of sweets from your childhood.

Just a short walk from BHV on rue de Rivoli is November's map street, rue Francois Miron. This short street is filled with historic Medieval buildings and fine epiceries.

What ever you're looking for you'lll find in Izrael at No.30

Pandora's book couldn't contain more goodies

The cornerstone os the street is Boulangerie Au Petit Versailles du Marais at No. 27. Baguette and croissant winner many times over, they have terrific lunch items and a cafe inside and out to enjoy their edibles.

I love these 19th century boulangeries the best of all.

Autour Saumon at No. 60 has several boutiques in Paris offering the creme de la creme of coeur de saumon and other seafood delicacies like caviar and herrings. An elegant restaurant is attached to the epicerie. So that's a taste of November's Map letter (all shipped out at last) If you wish to give a French Gift, please don't wait until the last minute. Bear does not make hand-deliveries unfortunately.