Sirha Europain 2024

 

Yesterday I went to the big annual bread fair, Sirha Europain.

At Porte de Versailles, Halle 1

Fr Girls Don't Eat in the Street

I've been living in Paris 3+ months and I can say with absolute certainty that Fr Girls do NOT eat in the street. I've had almost no period of adjustment to Parisian life except in this one area. As an adopted New Yorker, eating in the street is not only completely acceptable, it's preferable, even obligatory. Sitting down at a table to eat is for out-of-towners.
 

History bears out my assumptions. Just look at these Fr Girls at the beach in Deauville (in Eugene Boudin's painting currently at the musee Jacquemart-Andre). Not a single one of these gals is sipping a cuppa or holding a drippy ice cream/glacé. What fun is that? Why go to the beach and not eat? Heck

Thanks to British Pathe films we know Fr Girls in the 50's kept their hands securely tucked into muffs.
 

Is it any wonder the iPhone took off like gangbusters in Paris? Something to clutch instead of a ham & cheese baguette sandwich non?

 The proliferation of small dogs keep Parisienne hands busy.

On the weekend I went to PAD - an avant-garde art and design expo in the Tuileries. There were plenty of Fr children absorbing the artworks. Not a one was munching. I was the only stealth-eater with my Madeleines (instead of being the only stealth shooter - photos were allowed),

Back in the street French children are encouraged to hold onto the pram instead of a lollie/suzette 🍭 Some of them ride on the back, holding on for dear life instead of snacking. All basic distraction techniques. 
 

Yet paradoxically this town is world famous for its pastry and sweets. Go figure.

True there is a designated food break in France. L'heure du gouter/snack time is around 4:30 pm when everything is allowed (though NO eating on the street).

In a city rampant with temptation I'm going to the pool 🏊 regularly to compensate. I just found out today with my pool card I can visit more than 1X a day. Three..four..five times in one day! This may become essential with my bad snacking habits. 

The walk home from the pool is tortuous littered with excellent boulangeries. Here is yesterday's post-pool 'reward'. Ouf
 

Today I went armed with a sliced apple. Believe me when I tell you the Fr do not even bring an apple to their lips out in the rue. Nevermind, I need some time to adjust. I even chose a different route avoiding yesterday's Chausson au pomme like the plague.
 

No go. I waltzed right into boulangerie Maison Privat, grabbed a palmier and made for the door. At least I left half uneaten but what's to be done? Will I ever acclimate? Do I stand a chance in this town as a life-long street-eater? And what about when Summer comes and there's ice cream on every corner? What then dear PB readers? I see doom and gloom on the horizon. Can you suggest something?

Paris is not the paradise you imagine.
This giant poster in Sephora's windows may be my only hope - a pacifier. Come live in Paris. You'll soon see. Just you wait. Humph