Grenelle Market in the 15th

I can never get away from Paris 

without taking some photos of our 

fabulous Grenelle Market.

It's our favorite...

partly because it's close to home 

but also because it's large (several blocks long)

and runs under the metro so somewhat protected from the weather. 

And they tend to have a large array of fresh or cooked things to choose from. 

There are always colorful flowers in any season.

Fresh produce and dairy all times of the year

sometimes coming from nearby countries.

And containers filled with plenty of exquisite seafood. 

While I don't do much dairy anymore

I can't miss the cheese when in France. 

It is magnificent

even just to look at. 

I love the Christmas colors of these cheeses 

during the holidays. 

We didn't have as much time as we wanted this visit

to just wander through and people-watch.

We were usually in a hurry and on a mission.

But however you do it, 

it is a gift and a feast 

any way you look at it. 

Hope you enjoyed this Walk in Paris today. 

For more photos of the Grenelle Market,

Click HERE and HERE.

Grenelle Marché

Every Wed and Sun 7am-2pm

Boulevard de Grenelle under the #6 Metro Line

between stops LaMotte Picquet and Dupleix

(All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen

Please do not reproduce)

Restaurants in the 15th Arrondissement

One thing about visiting Paris during the holiday season

is the inevitable restaurant closures in our neighborhood. 

So this visit we returned to a place we haven't been in far too long:

Restaurant de la Tour.

Located close to the Tour Eiffel

(thus the name)

it is owned and run by Chef Cedric Robert

and his wife Carine Robert. 

We went for their lovely New Year's Eve dinner

and to say hello after too long away.

One of my favorite things in Paris is Foie Gras.

I know I shouldn't love it but...

can't help myself. 

We devoured our main courses. 

Not even time for pictures.

And the desserts were as divine as they looked. 

With one of the restaurants we wanted to go being closed,

we finally tried a small bistro close to home for lunch

that we've spent years walking past. 

The Bistro Dupleix is just steps from us

and, while basic traditional French food,

served a perfectly delicious lunch. 

Gotta love the French's idea of a salad,

like this one covered with potatoes, ham, egg and cheese. 

And there's nothing better than sitting and watching 

the French world go by. 

Restaurant de la Tour

6, rue Desaix

75015 Paris

+33 1. 43.06.04.24

Bistro Dupleix

62, Blvd de Grenelle

75015 Paris

+33 1.45.77.24.96

(All Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Mother's Day wishes

Mother's Day is coming up! 

And when we visited the Loire Valley one Mother's Day Weekend 

several years ago with The Chef's parents,

we found that many of the chateaux decorate their rooms with

magnificent flower arrangements for the Moms. 

Both his parents are gone now as is my Mom

and what I wouldn't give now to walk both those Moms 

through these gorgeous rooms as a Mother's Day Sunday treat. 

List of things I miss about my Mom:

* The way she swept my hair behind my ears with her long fingernails 

when I was little to put me to sleep *

* The beauty of her long elegant hands *

* Her music and radio voice *

* Late night drives in the car, my sister and I wrapped in blankets

in a bed in the back watching the stars and silhouetted trees through the window *

* Her giggle *

* Her sing-song voice when she was in a good mood *

* Her I love you's *

* Her love of all things purple *

If you are blessed to still have your mom, 

I hope you have a little something sweet planned for her.

And if this day simply brings up loss and sadness, 

I hope you will show yourself some sweetness.

Pick a bouquet from the garden for yourself,

or stop by the store for a little tenderness for your heart. 

We all tend to mother those close to us in our lives

so don't forget to mother yourself this weekend. 

Bonne Fete des Meres!

 (The above photo is Chateau Azay le Rideau.

For a little more info on the chateau itself, Click HERE.) 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Patisseries... and loved ones on my mind.

Missing Paris today... and my in-laws. 

We spent this past weekend at my mother-in-love's 

cleaning out the last of her furniture

as the house has now sold.

A sad task and the final round

of dividing up her belongings,

deciding who keeps what 

and making the last painful trips to the donation center. 

Remembering their visit to Paris 

at the end of our year of living there,

I couldn't help but think of the bustling little boulangerie/patisserie

that sat just across the street from us on the corner. 

When my In-Love's had tired of trekking through the streets of Paris

or long drives and cathedral and chateau visits in the Loire,

they LOVED sitting on the blue couch in my dining room

staring out the French window

watching the people coming and going

through the doors of the boulangerie.

Something tickled them about the number of people

emerging with baguettes or pretty-ribboned pink boxes 

filled with pastries and chocolates. 

Often there was a line out the door and a dog or two 

also waiting with their owners on the end of a leash. 

My father-in-love had a healthy sweet tooth

and nearly daily made his own trek across the street

to come home with a pink box and his favorite gateau.

He started with the smallest one

and worked his way up to the largest. 

Some days he suggested we skip lunch

and just have gateau.

The sweet little boulangerie on that corner is gone now...

as are my in-laws. 

On that corner now sits a(nother) bank. 

And in my home here in the Pacific Northwest

sit a few items that remind me of my mother-in-love

who just left us this year. 

But in my heart is the sweetness of the memory

of the two of them together, enjoying the view out the window, 

chuckling as they pointed things out to each other while they held hands.

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Eglise Saint Alpin

The Church of Saint Alpin,

in the Gothic and Romanesque style,

was built between the 12th and 16th centuries. 

Dedicated to the eighth bishop of Chalons,

it includes his life-sized tomb in the central walkway. 

Just before Christmas, 

one spot in the church housed several nativity scenes

created by different artists. 

Most of the time,

the nativity scenes do not include the baby Jesus

until Christmas Eve.

He is most often conspicuously missing.

But several of these included him. 

Outside, we walked the streets where I

sometimes can't help but take photos of window displays...

such as these Santas and Christmas items made out of chocolate. 

And this chocolate fountain! 

Most cathedrals in any French town or village

include a monument to the dead soldiers 

of WWI.

And below, the French flag 

and names of the "Soldats morts pour la France."

An exceptional building.

The city of Chalons-en-Champagne

is filled with medieval houses

like the one below. 

Next time I'll share some photos of the church in Paris

where we enjoyed a piano and accordion concert.

Thanks for stopping by! 

And unbelievably,

nearly time to say Welcome to February.

(Photographs copyright: Kirsten Steen)

(Info via Wiki)

No UFO's in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

According to both The Local and The Telegraph,

the little Medieval town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the Vaucluse dept of Provence

 is upholding the 62 year ban on flying saucers, and/or flying cigars. 

In 1954, after a man reported having seen two beings 

who looked like deep sea divers embarking from a cigar-shaped space ship,

 then Mayor Lucien Jeune declared the ban,

"Any aircraft known as flying saucer, or flying cigar, 

which should land on the territory of the community

will be immediately held in custody." 

And current Mayor Claude Avril is

"not going to touch the ban."
More known for its wines at the time, 

the ban's publicity brought journalists and the public alike

who probably also enjoyed the wine. 

Having spent a little time in Chateauneuf-du-Pape 

the summer before last while spending two weeks in Provence, 

I can attest to both the fine wine and the charm of the hillside town. 

Aliens need not apply!

************

This election season has bowled me over

and I'm still trying to find my equilibrium...

so I'll take whatever I can get. 

Hope you're finding what you need to get through. 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen) 

The Future of Paris

Between terrorist killings, flooding, never-ending strikes

and Parisians feeling like they've lost their joie de vivre,

it's easy to get caught up in depressing bad news.

Not to mention the stuff here at home. 

I choose here to focus on positive highlights.

And a bit of exciting news:

In February this year,

23 teams were selected to create architectural projects

to reinvent the future of Paris.

According to ArchDaily, Reinventer.paris,

an urban initiative

working with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to reinvent city life,

put out a call for submissions

for innovative ideas and cutting edge designs.

 Looking to solve some of Paris' environmental, energy and consumption challenges,

including finding new use for abandoned spaces,

it will be fascinating to see what kind of creativity springs up around Paris 

with an eye toward the future.

I love the designs that endeavor to put a garden

in every inch of available space. 

 Click Here

to see design photos for yourself.

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Old Village of Monteux in Provence

(Porte d'Avignon)

Along the D942  about 20 km northeast of Avignon in Provence

and 5 km from Carpentras,

lies the medieval Old Village of Monteux.

One enters through this ancient doorway,

 the old Avignon Porte  along fortified ramparts 

which was the original entry to the village.

Next to the porte sits this sweet 'dolphin' fountain. 

On my way back to Blauvac in Provence from Mary Magdalene's cave this summer,

but not quite yet ready for my adventure to end,

I stopped in this little town to explore

and found the most exquisite village

of painted canvas on old buildings.

I parked near the porte,

walked through 

and got lost in this surprise maze of medieval streets. 

And here are just a few of what greeted me! 

Basket weaver. 

Everyone wanted to get in on the charming paintings and flowers. 

Barrel maker and repairer.

Tailor.

A very Provencal scene. 

Cabinet maker.

Bibliotheque. 

What a delightful surprise this little medieval village turned out to be! 

Something niggled at me each time I drove past the exit sign for Monteux 

on my way to Avignon or Aix-en-Provence,

telling me to take a look. 

I finally had the time, being on my own

and not on a schedule 

(usually of sightseeing with a group 

or picking someone up at the Avignon train station)

and I listened to that little nudge. 

Sometimes beauty and magic happen when we listen and respond. 

*********

I was away at my writing retreat on the northern Oregon Coast this past week

working on my novel

and for those who are interested,

I've also been working on the post about my trip to MM's cave. 

But for now, enjoy these photos from Provence.

And thanks for coming on this little side-trip to Monteux with me!

(All Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)