Montorgueil: One of the Oldest Neighborhoods in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
Much of yesterday was spent on the BBC watching the coronation of King Charles. Bernie worked a great deal with the British during his 22-year military career. To use his line…”No one does pomp and pageantry as good as the British.” I was totally enamored with the ceremony; Bernie, not so much.
We left for a late lunch thinking to eat only one time for the day. What better spot than to hit one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris on rue Montorgueil. It straddles the first and second arrondissements of Paris. (Our Marais is in the fourth). We forgot that it was Saturday which is the big shopping day for Parisians. The place was packed! After a so-so lunch (yes, you can have only average food in Paris), we strolled around the side streets to avoid some of the crowd and ran into one of the passages that Paris is known for: Passage du Grand Cerf. We have been there before but discovered some new shops. I like to say that these passages were the first shopping malls of their day. This area is often missed by folks who just hit the high tourist spots. This one is definitely worth your time. Enjoy the tour.
The new shop for us was this fabric store, original in its colorful displays.
Our evening soirée included a stop at Le Bouquet St. Paul for chips and guacamole. We had a nice long visit with a lady from London named Lynn who was staying at the Hotel Turenne Marais where my daughter and grandson will be staying in late May. When we got “la addition” her dinner was included on our tab! Just a mistake by the waiter which we got corrected but not without some high finance!
Today is the Sunday market at La Place de la Bastille which is one of our favorites! Have a glorious weekend.
L & B
May 7, 2023 @ 9:11 am
I am sure you will head back to Rue Montorgueil on a weekday while in Paris to enjoy your flaneur time better. The pastries look heavenly and I’m sure the prices were also ‘heavenly’! Fun to look at anyway!
May 7, 2023 @ 10:52 am
Love the picture through the glass! What happy smiles. I was interested that the fabric shop was showing gingham. Wonder if that’s a coming trend.
May 7, 2023 @ 11:57 am
Linda and Bernie
I am always delighted and amazed at the creative ways the different merchants display their products! They look like works of art even if it’s fresh fish or raw meat not to mention the flowers,
pastries and even a fabric shop! It must be in their DNA!
Thanks for sharing that beautiful aspect of Paris!
I also love the pets!
May 7, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
We too watched some of the coronation pageantry. We also watched the Kentucky Derby. It’s hard to ignore the deaths and scratched horses and enjoy the spectacle. Love your pictures today!
May 7, 2023 @ 12:40 pm
Special place to visit without the crowds 😊
May 7, 2023 @ 12:52 pm
Linda,
I love following you through Paris! You capture the essence, beauty and joy of the city!
Happy travels to you and Bernie!
Terrie
May 7, 2023 @ 2:11 pm
Loving this blog once again and so happy you seem much happier this year even with your unfortunate broken ankle. After my devotion, you are my morning indulgence and inspiration! And agree on the metro and walking — not sure we’ve ever taken a taxi either except from airport. Hope you and Bernie enjoy every single minute!
May 7, 2023 @ 4:42 pm
My ankle is fine. Tell Leon I have a fracture of the right fourth metatarsal head. Almost no pain or swelling so I am very lucky but will stay in the boot for another couple of weeks. It was raining today so that was interesting!!
May 7, 2023 @ 3:05 pm
I’ve probably forgotten it, but I don’t remember the Passage du Grand Cerf. Very nice. Is it mostly for locals or tourists? It’s so great to be able to look for you posting every morning. A very good way to start the day. Why don’t you two just have your mail forwarded and stay over there for about 11 months of the year. Thanks again. Don’t hurt your foot, but keep it up.
May 7, 2023 @ 4:40 pm
Ha! All contributions to that possibility would be appreciated and vital! Glad you and Sybil are enjoying the blog.
May 7, 2023 @ 3:12 pm
Tell Bernie. For me it was the music, the wonderful voices and the acoustics in the cathedral. Seeing a marching band on horseback was a first. How did the horse with the drummer stand the noise?
Thank you for the lovely photos.
May 7, 2023 @ 4:15 pm
Love the themed picture of the day, and also think the picture of the doggy can easily fit within your theme!
May 7, 2023 @ 6:58 pm
Wondered the same things Sophia! Marched and played trumpet in a lot of parades, but never on horseback!
May 7, 2023 @ 9:19 pm
Love the boutiques…and that sweet pup! Looks like your trip has started off beautifully!
May 9, 2023 @ 7:12 pm
Oh what a lovely day you have shared, even if I am late in reading it. The victrola is magnificent, and I love the ladies looking through the glass! Merci
May 13, 2023 @ 12:50 am
As a textile girl, I loved the photos of the fabric store! Since we lost Sir’s in Fayetteville, TN, there has not been anything anywhere close to their inventory! Glad to see that the entire world has not learned to love less than fabulous textiles!
B…
May 13, 2023 @ 5:04 am
I’m delighted to have you following along!!