A Slow, Serene Sunday in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
Yesterday was a perfect weather day in Paris under beautiful blue skies and 70 degree temps. At least once while we’re here, we try to make a service and communion at the American Cathedral of Paris. I have written about it so, so many times. It’s high Anglican, gorgeous but not gaudy on the inside, with a flag and needlepoint prayer bench for every state in the Union. Yesterday was the perfect day to attend before the season of “vacance” or vacation begins. So the regular staff, rector, organist, and choir were involved in the service. Just like last year, there was a notation in the bulletin which read, “Paris is a big city and theft is a part of life. Please take your handbag or briefcase with you to the altar for communion.” Sad but true.
After the service, we walked down Avenue Georges V to Pont Alma for a bite of relaxing lunch which ended with this Café Gourmand.
Bernie had ordered escargot (snails), and the shells were still sitting on the table. All of a sudden, a little girl, maybe five-years old, walked by with her father. She was lingering behind and seemed very interested in us. We said hello, and the Dad communicated that his daughter had wanted to see someone eating snails. So we had a brief chat, asked if we could take a picture and discovered they were from Atlanta! Her name was Lucille, and she was precious. Bernie noticed that she had huge hearing aids so perhaps she doesn’t speak, we don’t know. What a special encounter.
We were entertained while we were eating by an array of the small people transports you see on the streets of Paris. Kudos to people for trying to make a living any way they can.
We stepped into L’Hotel Georges V to see if the flowers had changed since visiting there with the Newberry’s. And to our good fortune, they were in the process of changing them out.
On the Champs, we encountered some fantastic machines of all kinds and so wished that my Andrew could have seen them.
The “Purely Paris” photo of the day is from our neighborhood patisserie, Miss Manon, where Bernie gets his daily baguettes.
The rest of our Sunday was spent relaxing in the apartment. Some days can be splendid in their quiet serenity, even in Paris.
À tout à l’heure,
L & B
June 26, 2017 @ 8:03 am
So fun your little visitor got to see someone having snails. Lovely Sunday!
June 26, 2017 @ 9:29 am
Oui, oui, bien sur.
June 26, 2017 @ 11:01 am
What a lovely day! My favorite purely Paris photo yet;the desserts look delightful!
June 26, 2017 @ 1:31 pm
so glad the heat wave is gone…do not know how you keep you tiny waist line with the food you show..my will power would be out the window by now. . different tiny cars /automobiles very interesting , loved the white with scrolls on it. .safe safe.
June 26, 2017 @ 2:03 pm
As to food, we split almost everything which is a good way to make the pounds stay away.
June 26, 2017 @ 2:11 pm
We attended the service at The American Cathedral the Sunday after 9-11. So moving and comforting.
June 26, 2017 @ 2:16 pm
Oh, my. What a lasting memory that must be!
June 27, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
Could we perhaps get a picture of Miss Manon?
June 27, 2017 @ 7:47 pm
If you mean the actual person named Miss Manon, I don’t believe she exists any longer, just her name! But I will check.
June 27, 2017 @ 7:52 pm
What’s the history of the Shakespeare bookstore? Do they specialize in vintage editions of literature, or sell a bit of everything?
Interesting that they adopted the name of the greatest writer in English letters.
Thanks.
June 27, 2017 @ 8:06 pm
Shakespeare and Company was opened in August 1951 by George Whitman. Since then, it has grown from a bookstore into an institution in the heart of Paris. They sell only English books but not necessarily vintage editions. I think it’s a little of everything but one of the few places where you can buy books in English. The outside wooden kiosks that are part of the ambiance sell used paperback books for 5 euros. If I need another book to read, this is where I go. The inside is amazing. It’s a tiny, tiny quaint little place and goodness knows how they have catalogued everything. Only an employee can dig through it and find what you might need. It’s a delightful experience. Here is more about the early history in other locations. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare_and_Company_(bookstore)
June 27, 2017 @ 8:07 pm
I’m surprised it isn’t the Hugo bookstore. Thanks for the info.
June 27, 2017 @ 8:10 pm
See my addendum in the other comment.
July 2, 2017 @ 4:45 am
I’m with Cindi on the desserts – berries look yummy!! Love the new purple flowers but that chandelier caught my attn even more!! Snails – better you than me, Bernie!