Un Petit Café
No week in Paris is complete without catching the sunrise while sipping the perfect espresso. This morning I'm taking you on a virtual morning tour of this beloved French city.
When we travel, we like to wake up every morning and go for a brisk walk. It gives you the lay of the land, allows you to run into the locals and generally gives you a better sense of a place - versus heading to the hotel gym. At the end of our walk, we read the morning paper as we linger at the most intriguing café we pass. Sometimes we determine we've found "our cafe" and are loyal to them for the entire trip. I can tell you right now, that Café de Flore, at 172 boulevard St-Germain would have been such a spot.
Other times it seems more fun to discover a new and différent cafe every single morning. So today, let's see how many adorable cafés we can spy.
And while the sight of the ashtray is something I'll never enjoy, it certainly signifies the European experience. This photo reminded me of so many of our "quick sip" moments where we rushed to head off to our next adventure.
And if you've never heard of Angelina, you are in for a treat. Pâtissier, chocolatier... maker of all things decadent and rich. I myself am not a sweets person, but I've never traveled with anyone who could resist the siren call of a true pâtissier such as this. So as I enjoy my un petit café, Mr. Venti will enjoy some decadent treat discovered behind the glass.
Have a lovely morning, everyone! Catch you again tomorrow for more on our continuing journey through the City of Lights...
Despite the beautiful photos Cafe De Flore is jam packed mostly with people looking for the experience and dare I say French people are far and few between. But the amount of lovely cafe or Cafe Tabacs for the usual cafe creme is quite high. I used to favour one in rue Colisee (8eme) mostly because the owner was lovely and would always give me a croissant for the road to work in the mornings.
Angelina's does, unarguably, the best hot chocolate in Paris but the queues are a pain in the backside. For the tastiest religieuse with a pot de The, I recommend Dalloyau on rue Faubourg St Honore. I used to live opposite and passing by without adding more calories to my diet was a miracle. It was quiter and less touristy than Laduree. Once, there was a guard outside and without paying much attention I burst into the shop like I used to do (mostly to avoid my conscience) and came face to face with a surprised Jacquse Chirac and a gun totting 'man in black'! I apologise and tried to leave but they insist on me staying to do my shopping. He was regular there because the Presidential Residence was 5 mins walk. It was one of those things...
We just bought a small place in Paris so we're off this Sunday with the daughter.
Posted by: Angel-Arabella | November 17, 2008 at 02:09 PM
What a lovely idea to take us to Paris the is week! Just did the same recently, by revisiting some of my vacation snaps from the summer . . .
http://citified.blogspot.com/2008/11/and-then-there-was-paris.html
Thanks for stopping in this weekend to say hello -- it's been a while :)
xo
Posted by: tig | November 17, 2008 at 02:25 PM
{p.s.}
"the is" week -- should say "this" week -- doing too many things at once :)
Posted by: tig | November 17, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Ahhh! What a lvoely dose of PAris! Thank you for the beautiful post! Thank you also for the very sweet words you left me this morning! Isn't it a beautiful day when you start the morning in a cafe like this!?!
Posted by: Judith | November 17, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Wonderful post!
Thanks for taking me there!!!
Posted by: karina | November 17, 2008 at 05:20 PM
FAB post! I soooooo WANT to be there! If I could I would pack my bags and fly away RIGHT THIS MINUTE!
My heart is beating fast for Paris!
Merci Beaucoup!
Fifi
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | November 17, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Yum to that perfect espresso
Posted by: patricia gray | November 17, 2008 at 08:32 PM
This post is so lovely! There is nothing like expresso and freshly baked crossaints! I can't wait to visit Paris! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Latoicha | November 17, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I'm living vicariously through you, so thanks for these great shots. I tried to capture that too but didn't get what you did, sheer magic! Ah Paris, can't wait to see more, more, more!
Posted by: the paris apartment | November 17, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Loved this post!!! What a great virtual tour:)
Posted by: simplygrove | November 17, 2008 at 11:15 PM
You are becoming more parisienne than a parisienne !! … ok you missed one
“Carette” place du Trocadero end of av. Kleber … the BEST chausson au pomme EVER . enjoy dear … and thannnnks for the viral morning cafe
Posted by: zelda | November 18, 2008 at 12:58 AM
oh how I LOVE Paris. I lived there for six months 10 years ago and I've been back 3 times since then. The last time I was there was to celebrate my 30th birthday almost two years ago..eek! I love to do exactly what you describe here. I LOVE it. Cafe de Flor is one of my faves and we loves to stay in the Quartier Latin and go there in the am. love these photos.
Posted by: Chessa | November 18, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Oh I just love you all SO much! I'm so glad you're having a great time with this.
Travel is one of my great passions in life, and it's always so fun to share with all of you!
Merci Beaucoup!
Posted by: franki durbin | November 18, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Chocolat chaud at Angelina is always to die for!
Anne
Posted by: Prêt à Voyager | November 20, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I became a total klepto when I went to the Flore for the first time... I HAD to have a souvenir so I dropped an ashtray in my purse. Unfortunately I was a little drunkers and wasn't as Sydney Bristow-esque in my actions as I thought -- the look on my Mom's friends face was priceless!
Oh, and my Cafe Flore ashtray sits on my bedside table and holds any jewelry I remove before bedtime!
Posted by: Design Babylon | November 20, 2008 at 07:35 PM