Oui, Oui…A Quiet Spot for Lunch
Bonjour,
If you’re coming to Paris this summer, the crowds might overwhelm you. So this is a lunch recommendation in a lovely, secluded area of La Place des Vosges. Victor Hugo’s home and museum is the entry point and his garden is the restaurant/cafe. Just wonderful. Thanks to Richard Nahem of EyePreferParis for taking us here many years ago right after it opened. Bernie insisted that he has seen the home before (possibly BL or before Linda). I’m definitely sure that I had not. After our lunch we enjoyed the museum visit very much which by the way is free if you eat at Cafe Mulot. We love these little tucked-by-the-wayside spots.
The interior of Hugo’s home is heavy with self-portraits and a real jewel of a sculpture of him by Rodin! The decor is very masculine. The inception of Les Miserables came early in his life but not until after a bout of solitude and depression did he complete the masterpiece in his 60’s. The artwork in his home reflects many of his writings, especially The Hunchback of Notre Dame. His most famous quote is: “It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live.”
As the temps start to rise, we are defaulting to our apartment for the hottest part of the day and then finding a nice spot for dinner. No cooking for Linda much on this trip, though my vertigo is some better!
Another recommended area is near Pont Louis-Phillipe on rue des Barres. Very picturesque and a cute spot for an easy light meal. Their specialities are called “Bricks.” We didn’t order one because we didn’t know what it was. Now we do and will try it the next time.
Have a lovely day,
L & B
July 11, 2025 @ 10:34 am
How wonderful that you continue to find new treasures in a city in which you have seen so much.
July 11, 2025 @ 10:34 am
So…. What is it? Don’t bury the punchline, inquiring minds want to know!! 😆
July 11, 2025 @ 1:33 pm
I thought it was pretty obvious!
July 11, 2025 @ 12:20 pm
Thanks very much, Linda. Looks like a beautiful day.
July 11, 2025 @ 12:56 pm
Linda,
I truly enjoyed your photos of this new area, museum, and restaurant. Several of the photos of the museum seem to suggest an overall darker, masculine effect, although the red, and the green rooms are more bold. It must be nice to discover new places after all your previous trips. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Cindi
July 11, 2025 @ 1:10 pm
I think I’d be depressed to if I lived in that house. Are they hanging onto their newspapers more than we are?
July 11, 2025 @ 3:33 pm
Thanks for the suggestion of the cafe – will check it out in October. It looks serene unlike much of Paris these days. I’m hoping for fewer tourist when there in late October/November. Enjoy your last days there
July 11, 2025 @ 6:13 pm
What is a “brick?”
Amy
July 12, 2025 @ 5:14 am
Amy, it’s hard to describe what a brick is. It’s like a flaky, pastry taco wrap which has things like eggs, cheese, etc. inside. We so wished that we had ordered it!