Paris Map Fair

Last Saturday I ran to the PARIS MAP FAIR. Its always held the first Saturday in November. I've been meaning to go since the last time I went in 2008!

Always held at Hotel Ambassade on boulevarde Haussman. Stacks of portfolios waiting for you to go through them.

Dealers come in from the Netherlands, UK, US, Belgium and Paris locals. Even with the mixup of dealers silence reigns

As visitors studiously leaf through the portfolios.

I'm in love with the illustrated cartouches most of all.

And the old script handwriting. Mostly these are hand colored

I found a bargain portfolio (everything 15€). My obsession with tiny figures drew me to this mirror optics  print. Fountains, formal gardens, small dogs. What's not to love. This may be your next Paris letter. Who knows where inspiration will spring from?

As well as maps there are old books and cartography instruments.

The atmosphere is so relaxed dogs are allowed as long as they don't drool on anything of note. Evidently this dutch dog found the Metro unnerving, poor dear.

I would like to add an elaborate cartouche or two in the Paris maps

This calico hankerchief/map of Paris was going for a mere 6,500€ Maps can be quite pricy.

My maps have not yet reached that level...ahem Lucky you! We are having temps back up in the 60s in Paris. Do drop in. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast watercolors, letters, and maps in your mailbox 📮, look in my Etsy shop. 

Bonne (or bon for those who are fussy) Mardi PBers!

Ruby chocolate, Salon du Chocolat 2018

Last night Bear and I went to the inauguration of this year's SALON DU CHOCOLAT at porte de Versailles. Its open from today until November 4th so you're not too late for chocolate immersion.

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Where ever you turn there are reminders around Paris.

The newest hottest trend this year is 'ruby' chocolate originating from BARRY CALLEBAUT, a Belgian-Swiss company. Made from the ruby cocoa bean, the chocolate's taste is both sweet and sour. Its made from unfermented cocoa beans which often have a natural redish-pink color.

Shards of Ruby chocolate

Fruitiness is the thing this season. Adding red fruits to ruby chocolate.

If the chocolate wasn't the new ruby flavor it had dehydrated strawberries. Red is IN!

Chunks of dried berries from a Japanese chocolatier

A twist from Fauchon, not on the ruby bandwagon. This buche de noel is made with beets (betterave)! For display purposes only. No tastes on offer.

Ruby-colored crepes topped with whipped cream

Not to worry. Of course there was plenty of trés riche French chocolate. Here squared Opera cakes from Duchene.

Exquisite pastries on offer. More than 200 top pastry chefs will be demonstrating their refined skills. 500 exhibitors from 5 continents. BEAR did not make it to every display last night

We somehow missed the fashion show but if you're clever you can catch it every day at 5pm.

George Larnicol, the kouign amann king from Brittany was making wonderfully savory bites with regional Boskoff carmelized onions - a nice relief from all the sweet flavors. Bear was smitten. If you're in Paris do visit. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. 

If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox 📮, look in my Etsy shop. 

Bisous bisous

Paris at night

I was going to post on something different but this weekend has been a sad one. I learned my sister was good friends with a victim of the synagogue shooting in Pittsburg.

The beauty of Paris can be restorative. Now I'm walking more I'm discovering more of the island I'm so lucky to live on.

Sometimes visitors ask me if its OK to walk around Paris at night. I think it is.

The calm. The peacefulness. The lights on the Seine. It grounds you.

Right now the wind is blustery outside. We're having an early taste of Winter this weekend and its too cold for a night walk.

Sending you warm wishes ☕️ From Paris XOXO Carol and 🐻

Cafe Saint Regis letter & Petit Dejeuner Letter

NEWS ALERT! The October letter from Paris is in la Poste 📬 for those wondering what happened.

You would think painting a Paris breakfast would be easy. It is not.

Bagues d'Homme de Yves Gastou, Van Cleef Arpels

L'ECOLE VAN CLEEF ARPELS can always be depended upon for astonishing exhibits. Run, don't walk to see the ring collection of YVES GASTOU. His gallery of rare antiques is still on 12, rue Bonaparte next to the school of Beaux Arts. But 669 rings from his collection of a thousand can be seen for the first time at l'Ecole, 6, rue Danielle Casanova until 30 November. Above the pink topaz of a bishop.

'Jewelry is a talisman, becoming part of the wearer just as it bestows strength and confidence'.

Monsieur Gastou at the opening

There are seven themes in his collection. Here neoclassical rings. Other themes represented; chivalry (signet rings), Gothic, religion, vanitas, ethnic jewelry and curiosities.

An amazing display for the rings is in the shape of a medieval cross, especially designed by interior architect Jérome Thénot.

Gastou grew up near CARCASSONE. Medieval themes of Jean d'Arc and armor abound.

I spent only a week drawing in Carcassone last year and felt positively medieval. Growing up nearby could definitely make one prone to myths, heraldry and armor.

These turret rings - did they hide poisons..? Every ring in the collection tells a story.

Some rings date back to Egypt. Gastou was given his first ring at age four. He started collecting seriously at sixteen.

Moroccan ethnic rings.

A surprise to see university or even high school signet rings.

And quite a collection of 70s biker's rings

The top of this ring opens to hold who knows what?

The hor d'oeuvres at l'ECOLE VAN CLEEF ARPELS are always jewel-like. They offer a host of excellent jewelry classes at all levels.

I did wonder briefly whether M. Gastou ever considered collecting the toy rings inside Cracker Jack boxes. Somehow I think not... a riveting experience to visit this exhibit and very highly recommended.Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps and watercolors in your mailbox 📮, look in my Etsy shop. 

Bonne Vendredi PBers!