This post is one of many documenting my week in Paris, a present to myself for graduating pastry school in the fall of 2012. Every moment was spent eating and one post wasn’t enough. It’s now a short novel. Kidding. I hope.
To get to the Sacre Coeur I got off at the Abbesses subway stop. Walking out onto the street I found myself in the middle of a mid-day flea market. There was a carousel in the middle and a wonderful sugary smell coming from a churro cart. I was most thrilled to scour through odds and ends to find a true gem of a vintage kitchen item, but alas nothing. I did see some mini savarin molds but I didn’t have the confidence to haggle.
Shopping made me hungry so I stopped inside McDonalds or “McDo” as the French call it for only one thing, “Les Deluxe Potatoes”. These potato wedges are the best. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and served with tartar sauce, DELICIEUX. Sadly they are only served in Europe shops. Every trip I look forward to them as much as the croissants and macarons.
The name alone intrigued me enough to go inside this antique shop but SHOOT! it was closed.
“The True Paris” I say is enjoying a leisurely meal out on a terrace. I particularly love the coziness of the bright red throws on the backs of the seats.
Rue Lepic is a street famous for the cafe from the movie Amelie. I hadn’t seen the movie so I was wandering until I found what I thought looked like the right cafe. I took this photo “feeling” like it was the right one. I guess my senses are good! Usually if I were to go to a significant site I’d at least familiarize myself beforehand so I have some emotional attachment but it was still nice to see in person nonetheless.
A cheese shop on Rue Lepic with cheese samplers in cute wooden crates.
Then it was off to find Boulangerie Gontran Cherrier for some goodies. I took a wrong turn and stumbled across the office of Meeting the French! The company puts together tours and classes to immerse you in French culture. I had one of the best times taking a tour of Gerard Mulot’s pastry shop a few years ago. I would do it again in an instant and highly recommend booking something with them.
After my detour I did make it to Boulangerie Gontran Cherrier. The shop is situated on a corner of a tree-lined street so it is a really nice location. Inside the breads are displayed on a long counter and bar seating looks out onto the street. The chef is known for interesting flavors of breads like curry and squid ink.
My curry sandwich was excellent. The mustard yellow bun had a good curry flavor and went nicely with the slices of turkey and greens. I also got a curry demi baguette but alone it wasn’t as exciting. I didn’t see any of the squid ink items at the time but would go back to try them.
Boulangerie Gontran Cherrier
22 rue Caulaincourt
75018 Paris