La Chaumière en l'Île
On a quiet street, under the shade of trees,
this terrace looks quite inviting.
However, I am always a bit suspicious
when there is a sign in English.
Perhaps I am a tourist-snob?
La Chaumière en l'Île
4, rue Jean du Bellay
Île Saint-Louis
75004, Paris
12 comments:
A sign in English is not necessarily bad, Genie. It could just mean the owner or manager has good marketing skills ;-) Long time no *talk to. I have been away from blogging for several months. Glad I stopped by *chez vous,* though. Lovely photos, as always. Take care, Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Hello Genie:
We too when travelling abroad are rather put off by signs in English. But they may be, as is suggested by French Girl in Seattle [above], simply a good marketing strategy.
It does look inviting Genie and thanks for the tip.
So am I, Genie. It's like they were actually WANTING tourists! ;-)
The leaves and the wicker chairs are definitely inviting. Surely a glass of wine wouldn't go amiss.
So beautiful -- just a spot where I'd like to sit and sip a bit. English or not!
Quite an inviting spot, Genie!
I don't understand the disdain for the word "tourist." If we are not born French and haven't lived there for a lifetime, when we go there are we not all tourists? It would seem that the life-blood of Paris is the money that tourists drop there. Perhaps some of us may sometimes be a bit rude and do not understand the niceties of the French culture. But oh, how we do love Paris! On the other hand, perhaps the French could be a bit more accommodating in teaching us the French culture without being a bit snobbish about it. Hence, a few words in English here and there inviting us in for tea. :-)
French Girl is probably right. On the other hand, I know exactly how you feel. To me, the worst is when the waiter insists on speaking English to you even when you can manage quite nicely in French, thank you!
That looks like a great spot.
I hesitated to make my final comment and as I have only taken photos of La Chaumière en l'Île I should reserve my judgment about the English on the sign. I do want an authentic experience when indeed I am a tourist. I want to blend in and not to be perceived as a tourist, only as one who loves to travel and to see a city, a village, a country through la vie quotidienne of those who live there.
Bises,
Genie
When I was in Erfurt, Germany, last month, I had lunch at an Italian restaurant (no kidding!), serving Italian food, but with a menu all in German. What a strange and yet wonderful world we live in. :-)
Post a Comment