Sunday July 8 and Monday July 9

Hello Friends,  These last two days have been a little more easy going.  I have noticed that Sunday in Paris is a time to slow down.  We followed the example of our neighbors.  I found the "best" market in Paris according to a website named David Lebovitz-Living the Sweet Life in Paris.  It was called Marche Richard Lenoir.  Everything was for sale--food, clothes, flowers, home goods, purses, shoes, tools, on and on.

Realizing that many restaurants  are closed on Sunday, we decided to buy supplies for our own dinner.   We found fresh hand made pasta, some pesto  (or pistou via the French), and  salad makings. We had already found the "best" (see how easily that word is used around here) at a boulangerie right around the corner from the apartment.   We were set.

After dropping all that off a "home", we ventured out for a new place.  We decided to visit the Chateau de Vincennes.  It is the medieval castle on the outskirts of Paris.  Many French kings used it as protection when there was political unrest.  It has two moats, many high walls and seems impenetrable. Not only that, it was nice to be beyond all the hustle bustle, and I enjoyed looking forward to a "home cooked" meal.  Another wonderful day.

Chateau de Vincennes

Chapelle at Chateau de Vincennes

Many French museums and businesses are not open on Monday.   Therefore, the pace is a little slower today also.  We decided to visit the church dedicated to the Madeline today.   It is located in a chic shopping area, so I pushed Perry in front of me, and got to window shop while he navigated the sidewalk.  Next we visited the grand opera house.  WOW.   Alice told me all about the excess during the time period of Napoleon III, but this was incredible.  Look at all the gold, marble and velvet.

Grand Stair Case

Keeping in mind my "mission", we decided to have lunch at the Cafe Procope.  It has been in existence since 1686.   Benjamin Franklin frequented this spot and dined with Voltaire, John Paul Jones, and others.  We were seated by the window and what fun it was to watch all the passers by.  Perry was much braver than I.  He ordered the house speciality, Calf's Head Casserole.  Actually, it was much better than it sounds. (Of course, I tried some of it!).

We decided to walk a bit after lunch in the Luxembourg Gardens.  Here, Thomas Jefferson visited and checked on the Verger, or apple and pear garden.  We found it and discovered that these trees are carefully tended and each one is espaliered.  It takes 90 years to direct a tree in the shape desired by the gardeners. Of course if one is to grow fruit, there must be bees.   They live in beautiful octagonal, multi-storied hives.  The honey is sold only two days each year.

I 

 I think the white bags are to discourage birds from eating the fruit.

Beautiful bee houses!

This could be one of those 90 year old trees.

Notice the forms used to train the trees.

Finally, we must discuss the important job of chocolate shopping.   Near the Madeline is Le Maison du Chocolat.   We made purchases there of chocolate covered salted caramels.  Next we bought pralines and ganaches.  Out the door before we spend more!  Alas, while nosing around in the St. Germain area, we discovered Un Dimanche a Paris.   They tempted us with some very interesting "pearls".  One group was rosemary enrobed in white chocolate.   The second was red chili berries covered in the same.   Finally, there was black pepper in dark chocolate.  I read a recipe for cooked salmon with those red chili berries and white chocolate.  I can hardly wait to try it.