Not So Lucky with Lights on Beaujolais Thursday
Bonjour mes amis,
Yesterday was the third sunny day in a row and that’s big news…even got to wear my sunglasses that Paula Steigerwald so kindly brought over. The weather and a new restaurant proved to be the highlights of our day. The Christmas lights, just a few. Today was also Beaujolais Thursday in France, symbolizing the release of the new bottles of nouveau Beaujolais coming from central France…the gamay grape. It’s fermented just a few weeks before being released.
I’m reading and searching for what’s happening where in regard to Christmas. This weekend should prove great between the Christmas market at La Défense and the light show on the Champs. Tonight we plan to go to Avenue Montagne. We will totally miss some key elements like the ice skating at Le Grand Palais and the markets at the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre which don’t begin until mid-December. Oh, well. Right now, we’re just worried about getting out of here as there’s a major transportation strike set to being on December 5th.
So, here’s our update on FRENCHIE’S, one of the hottest restaurants in Paris which just earned its first Michelin star. I love this description from lonely planet.com
“Tucked down an inconspicuous alley, this tiny bistro with wooden tables and old stone walls is always packed and for good reason: French chef Gregory Marchand’s modern, market-driven dishes prepared with unpretentious flair have earned him a Michelin star.”
The lunch was extremely interesting. I snapped a shot of the menu as I would never be able to truly describe it. The interior is quite understated but the food a culinary mixture of amazing tastes.
We enjoyed strolling through the area again around Montorgueil where we found one of the famous old passages, a little American bakery and Bernie’s best light shot of the day, some street art.
We were back out about 5pm to check on Place Vendome again. There were a few lights but the huge Christmas trees, though up and ready, have not been turned on yet.
Window shopping here in this haute couture area is fascinating and frustrating. Each window for the ladies topped out at 21,000 euros for one of everything you see! And folks wonder why I don’t shop in Paris.
If you’re really into Paris, here’s a great article about the smells of Paris…funny but true. I subscribe to The Local.France which is a great website. https://www.thelocal.fr/20191017/perfume-and-pipi-the-10-smells-that-really-sum-up-paris. You can figure out the content, I’m sure…perfume and peepee.
Looks like a pretty good weather day again so we’ll be off to find Christmas!
L & B
November 22, 2019 @ 10:39 am
A beautiful post and photos (and I think you’re being too hard on yourself re the Christmas light photos — they’re great!) Loved reading about Frenchie and am moving it up the list thanks to your review 🙂 And it’s lovely to see photos of both of you.
Fingers crossed the strike won’t go on for days so you can get out and we can get in! Maybe book a private driver … cost may be worth peace of mind!? (I get anxious when plane/train departure times are involved even if my family says I go way too early. I’d rather read at the airport/station than have heart palpitations trying to get there …)
Can’t wait to hear about your day today. Happy Paris Friday you two!
November 22, 2019 @ 11:03 am
Carolyn, do you have any idea the cost of a private driver one way to Orly?
November 22, 2019 @ 11:04 am
Are you talking about Uber or truly a private driver?
November 22, 2019 @ 11:55 am
Private driver. Have seen a few references/recommendations — let me check and will send in an email! Also thinking the concierge/desk person at le Pavillon de la Reine might help/give you a contact (or organise for you) since you’re familiar to him/her and have had your family & friends stay there 🙂 In years past (before we moved to UK and only take the Eurostar), our favourite hotel desk staff were wonderful (even when we weren’t staying there ourselves) — though one time the car to CDG was an old thing and we thought it was probably the receptionist’s brother or something! But he got us there 🙂
November 22, 2019 @ 1:31 pm
I bought my three bottles of nouveau Beaujolais yesterday. We visited a Beaujolais winery on our trip and was fascinated by the young lady who walked us through and explained a lot about the region and the wines they produce. I remember her saying that in France, the particular grape is not as important as the region where the grape is grown. She said that the environment of the region makes the difference in the quality of the wine—the soil in which the grape is grown and the amount and quality of the water. I remember wondering at the time if the same could be said of people.
As it happens, we are hosting our book club this Sunday after reading a fascinating book, “A Woman of No Importance,” about the work of Virginia Hall (could be a relative of mine, since I have two Hall lines in my ancestry) in the French Resistance. Much of her work was done in and around Lyon. We are even serving a Lyonnaise dish for an appetizer that we learned how to make in Lyon. Of course there will be pictures of the area on streaming on the TV. It worked out perfectly after our visit to France.
All the pictures of the decorations are beautiful, and I particularly like the won with the Colonne Vendome in the background. I was too close for my picture of that column and have struggled to get it straight and in perspective. Your vantage point is much better.
My favorite picture of the day, however, is the one of you and Bernie holding hands across the table. It’s even better than the one I got on the Metro. You look so young and happy. Best to you both for a Happy Thanksgiving in Paris. Do they even have turkeys there?
Oh, and I wish I had seen the restaurant, Frenchie’s. I have only had two nicknames — “Chuck” when I first met Judy, a name given me by the young people at the church I was serving at the time. “Frenchie” was the other one that I had for about three years in Junior High, a name given me by some of the older girls in the band who didn’t know my name and for some reason it stuck. I laugh when I look at that old annual and see my friends addressing me as Frenchie.
Probably should apologize for blogging up your blog. But alas, I am a preacher and we tend to be a little wordy.
November 22, 2019 @ 5:15 pm
Oh, love all of this, especially the Frenchie nickname!
November 22, 2019 @ 1:54 pm
Another delightful post. The new restaurant’s menu, selections and photos of your choices make my mouth water. There were many interesting Christmas light photos and my favorite was the last one you posted in the blog.
November 22, 2019 @ 6:39 pm
Cindi, you’re such a loyal follower, and I always appreciate your comments! Are you home for Thanksgiving?
November 22, 2019 @ 6:46 pm
No we will not be home for Thanksgiving.We are here in the Phoenix area, sick as dogs. We were also sick while at Sharon’s and John. Not fun.
November 22, 2019 @ 7:03 pm
Oh, no!!! I am so sorry.
November 22, 2019 @ 2:05 pm
As usual great photos. The food looks absolutely scrumptious and the two of you are looking superb as well.
November 22, 2019 @ 5:12 pm
Merci, Fred!
November 22, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
Hi Linda and Bernie,
Thank you for the exquisite photos today, including the beautifully lit entrance to Tiffany’s which brings back such lovely memories of Antonia and I arriving for the appointment I had prearranged, following my proposal to Antonia. Thankfully she said yes!
Love to you both,
Malcolm and Antonia X
November 22, 2019 @ 6:24 pm
Ah, yes, a very special memory!!
November 22, 2019 @ 7:47 pm
This was a delightful post. So glad you enjoyed Frenchie’s! The food and menu look awesome and you both look happy. Your new daily schedule seems much more relaxed for you. A little midday downtime seems to be working. And I agree with others that your light shots are lovely! (Jim says he is also glad you enjoyed Frenchies. He reads your blog every day but seldom comments because he has to log in every time he wants to say something. Just wanted you to know he is following your adventures!)
November 23, 2019 @ 7:20 am
Tell Jim that I have to log in every time too. It’s a bit maddening! How’s your thumb?
November 23, 2019 @ 6:03 pm
You guys are getting better about taking pictures of each other! Thank you. Paris will always be there, but pictures of you in Paris is the je ne sais quoi that makes Paris more than Paris. Now if I could just get you to take pictures of Bernie’s face instead of the top of his head…..
November 24, 2019 @ 4:52 am
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas- in Paris! The Dior was a great option for your cover! Oh the pastry puff with warm cheese…sounds yummy, yet simple! Love the hardware knobs and always in awe of their beautiful, stone street patterns. I will show Carson the Tuileries carousel bc he’s building one right now actually! Too bad it’s so costly about the designer clothes…adore the Franck suit! Lastly, I enjoyed Charles’ soil reference regarding people- I’m fond of his way of thinking…always in tune to the heart of Gods word 😇
November 24, 2019 @ 7:48 am
Make sure you find the post on Galerie Lafayette’s Christmas windows
November 24, 2019 @ 2:21 pm
Okay! Still working my way back through.