February kept the stream of visitors coming to Paris...we had a great time with friends from Stanford and Dan's brother and sister. We even visited Dan's distant relatives who live in Normandy, right near Monet's house at Giverny.
And, after many requests, I have finally taken photos of the school where I work...and my posh doctor's office in the 7th arrondissement near the Eifel Tower.
Kimberly
For photos, click here.
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| Paris February with Visitors |
February was surprisingly warm this year, especially after a very cold December! But we decided that it was our friends Meredith and Jason who brought the good weather with them...as they narrowly escaped a blizzard in NY over Presidents' Day Weekend! Jason lived in Paris a few years ago, so he was thrilled to visit hiss old hood and take us out to a few of his favorite places. The highlight by far was taking in a Line Kruse Jazz concert at Sunset-Sunside (60 Rue des Lombards 01 40 26 46 60 www.sunset-sunside.com).
A few days after Meredith and Jason arrived, Dan's sister Rachelle flew in from Chicago, and his brother, Allan from Boston. Allan actually participated in the same program that we are doing a few years ago. So he was thrilled to reminisce of his days being an Assistant d'Anglais! (He has been teaching Math at Cambridge High School until a recent promotion to Dean!! Yes, Dan's older brother is now that guy who sends you to detention!)
When Allan and Rachelle were here, we visited Allan's old neighborhood where he lived and the schools where he taught in 10th arrondissement. He could not believe how much the neighborhood had changed! Little did he know that the Canal St. Martin had been completely cleaned up and now is the place to be on weekend mornings, when they turn it into a pedestrian playzone.
We also took a cooking class at Atelier des Chefs. This is Dan and my favorite find in Paris. You spend an hour learning how to make two different dishes (a main course and a dessert) and then at the end of the class, you get to eat your creations! They have a lot of different styles of classes offered, and you sign up in advance (usually a week or two) knowing what the recipe is that you will be learning. Classes are in French, but the teacher will usually translate for English speakers. They email you the recipe after the completion of the class (in French only), so you don't even have to take notes. Great fun! www.atelierdeschefs.com
Lastly, we visited two of Dan's distant relatives, Stephan and Blandine Bricka, who live in a little town right next to Giverny in Normandy. We had visited them six years before, when Dan was studying abroad in Spain and I met him in France for his spring break. It was wonderful to see them again. As always, they were great hosts! They showed us around their region: walking us by the hotel where the Americans came to set up their own Impressionist school at Giverny, visiting a Renaissance Castle, and going for coffee at the Chateau de Brécourt. Best of all, they loved Zookie! (This was quite a surprise, since neither of them like dogs...but how could they resist Zookie?!)
More restaurants:
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
20, rue Saint Benoît -- 75006 Paris -- 01 45 49 16 00
(Allan took us here for a great surprise...Steak-Frites! We had been searching all over Paris for them for months, with no luck. But this is where they were hiding...and it's a good thing that we weren't vegetarians because Steak-Frites is all the restaurant serves. You queue up outside (no reservations) eagerly anticipating your mouthwatering filet. When you sit down, the waitress asks you only two questions: Which wine would you like? How would you like your steak cooked? Delicious!)
Le Petit Prince de Paris
12 rue de Lanneau -- Paris 75005 -- 01 43 54 77 26
(A wonderful tucked away bistro serving great food in a very romantic setting. This restaurant has to offer the best food/value ratio in Paris. Menus are very affordable and the food is divine.)
Creperie de Josselin
67, rue de Montparnasse -- Paris 75014 -- 01 43 20 93 50
Next Door (and open Mondays) Le Petit Josselin
(The best crepes in Paris? We found them! And apparently so have all the other Parisians, given how packed this place always seems to be. These are authentic Breton crepes, served with delicious French Cider (think alcoholic Martinelli's Apple Cider). Come hungry!)
Marriage Freres
www.mariagefreres.com
13 rue des Grands-Augustins -- Paris 75006 -- 01 40 51 82 50 (across the street from our apartment)
30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg -- Paris 75004 -- 01 42 72 28 11 (the original location)
260 Faubourg Saint-Honoré -- Paris 8e -- 01 46 22 18 54 (near the Arc de Triomphe)
(We really cannot believe that we have lived across the street from this famous tea room for all this time and didn't make it inside until now! We were intimidated because we had heard they make you order the full (and expensive) high tea or lunch. Apparently not true! We came twice in a week (once with Meredith and Jason and again with Rachelle and Allan) and had amazing tea and wonderful pastries. The only problem...choosing among the hundreds of teas they have!!)
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