Arnaud Larher Patissiere

Just desserts today.

Solli and I went back (2nd time) to Arnaud Larher on 93, rue de Seine.

Yesterday we were getting Jour du macarons.

Looking over the gorgeous desserts..

It seemed like a good idea to try one out.

This citrus cheese cake looked tempting.

Have you tried the amazing app Waterlogue? 

It turns any photo uploaded into a quasi-watercolor look. 

Very tempting and yummy.

We decided on this meringue concoction layered with Chantilly whipped cream, a bit of raspberry inside and a hint of citron vert - very light, delicate and delicious.

We returned today with plans to try 2 desserts.

We may have to work our way through the whole collection like this sideways mille feuille.

When you stop by do taste the passion fruit/mangue tartiner.

 

Not easy to choose but since this was the last Ivoire left it helped us decide.

Ta Da

An attitude of serious research is required.

They were kind and cut our desserts perfectly in half.

Inside Ivoire sitting on a base of coconut crust. The outer shell and inner crème white chocolate with a touch of passion fruit and mango. Larher is a MOF from Brittany. He worked with Pierre Herme and does a mean Koign Amann, yet loves to play with tropical flavors.

Our purpose was to pick up a Jour du macaron shopping bag for Coco Jobard. She styled this photo for Herme's latest macaron book and worked on the recipes, so it seems only right she should have the bag.

Still some macaron watercolors left for the taking on Etsy.

Larher's Easter bunny-chocolate eggs. 

More Easter chocolate to come.

Jour du Macaron et Printemps

Stepping on the platform the other day I dropped my socks. This absolutely gorgeous Printemps poster! They're celebrating 150 years of doing business in a big way. More to come.

Jour Du Macaron is celebrating it's 10th anniversary - giving macarons away in exchange for a donation of 1 euro to the French charity, la Mucoviscidose (Cystic fibrosis). If you're in in Paris, do get out and participate in a worthy cause. Pastry chefs raised 50,000 euros last year. The event lasts through the weekend. No better place to start than Pierre Herme, (on rue Bonaparte) who created the tradition.

Not easy to choose one flavor from the 25 on offer.

The colors are perfect for the 1st day of Spring.

'Celeste' won my heart - passion fruit, rhubarb and strawberry.

Then on to nearby Arnaud Larher on 93, rue de Seine 75006.  Here you can make more than one donation and walk out with possibly 5 macarons.

I could not resist the pink broken macaron shopping bag(cabas) for 5 euros. The lovely apron(tablier) is 10 but I bought one last year. I only saw these at Arnaud Larher by the way if you're smitten too.

Then on to Printemps for a taste of Spring celebration. 

Loads of food carts line the façade selling Manhattan hotdogs, popcorn, waffles, little cakes and ice cream. A party in the street.

The windows show items especially designed for the 150th anniversary.

Those yummy hot pink Balenciaga sneakers have to cost a lot of macarons. One doesn't like to think.

I don't know if this is a Murakami sculpture but if not it's a kissing cousin.

Lots to raise the spirits inside Printemps as well.

Impossibly gorgeous bouquets

As always their signature Spring flower heads.
Guys get ready to wear pink!

Galeries Lafayette next door has 3 Pierre Herme shops to add to your collection of macarons. There are 13 shops in all of Paris.

If you are not in Paris and would love to have your very own little (4 1/4" x 2 3/4") framboise macaron watercolor, do subscribe this weekend to Paris Sketch letters.
I'll happily send one your way.
Bonne Fete du Printemps PBers!

Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) Peindre l'Arcadie Musee D'Orsay

Pierre Bonnard Peindre l'Arcadie opens today at Musee D'Orsay through July.

Yesterday I attended the press preview.

Not an easy thing with so many glorious paintings from collections everywhere.

In the old days I would attempt to see 6-8 paintings in a big crowded exhibition. Now I can take them all in. It's impossible.

But I'll do my best to share with you.

For one thing Bonnards do not photograph very well.

The paint and color is so radient, the camera can not catch it in my opinion.

You have to come see these for yourself if you can.

Standing back a bit helps to see the abstractness of Bonnard's designs. He was influenced by Japanese woodblock prints noted for their oblique compositions, wonderful negative/positive shapes, strong patterns and asymmetrical format.

A later self portrait when Bonnard was alone at Le Cannet during the war years. He wrote in his journal, "He who sings is not always happy."

As a young man.

Bonnard hung his canvases on the wall. They were stretched later.

'He always worked on several paintings at once and would let them sit unfinished for a time, so as to assess them with a fresh eye. 

He would step back from a work in progress to judge its effect at a distance, and then would remove or add.' 

From a terrific book, Bonnard The Coulour of Daily Life, available used on Amazon. I bought it yesterday at the d'Orsay, the only book in English and maybe the best...

Many of the paintings are on a grand scale. The rooms are very large at the d'Orsay.

Has Paris changed that much from Bonnard's time? I don't think so.

His luminous café scene is hard to duplicate.

But I grabbed a quick shot yesterday.

I am a big fan of his intimate still lives. There was a terrific exhibit at the NY Met in 2009 I showed you here.

OK This is a joke. I couldn't resist...shot yesterday too post-Bonnard.

Stepping back helps to see them better. This is a very meaty show.

30% of the paintings may have cats in them. You have been warned. In case you are allergic. All cat lovers book your tickets now!

Charlotte's chestnut chocolate gateau would go nicely here no? 

To munch on while browsing though I don't think the d'Orsay will be too thrilled. Watch the crumbs svp.

All good things come to an end.

If you want to see more Bonnard photos - They are on Flickr.

I was starving post-Bonnard. He can do that to you. Fortunately just up the street on rue Bellechasse you can run to boulangerie Gosselin and eat a chestnut éclair. 

I did.