Poisson d'avril! (demain)

Do you know what tomorrow is?

In the USA it is April Fools Day and we play pranks like, 

"Look out!  There's a spider on your shoulder!" 

The tradition in France includes poisson d'avril, attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed.  There is an interesting history of this holiday of foolishness, and it originated in France in the 16th century.  You can read about it here.

Today in France, people who are fooled on April 1 are called poisson d'avril, which literally means the "April Fish," because a young naive fish is easily caught.

This man who is kindly shucking oysters has been "tagged" with a paper fish. 

So, are you going to play a little prank tomorrow?

Le Baron Rouge, wine bar

1, rue Théophile Roussel

75012, Paris

Des bouchons

Wine and Champagne corks

A wine shop on Île Saint Louis had a window 

filled with corks.  

The light of the afternoon sun 

made me stop in my tracks 

before we hurried along 

to meet Paris friends for a glass of wine.

Rue Jean du Bellay

Île Saint Louis

75004, Paris

vin, baguettes, fromages, saucisson sec....

A light dinner

 

If I had easy access to this simple fare at home, 

it would be a regular evening meal.

When it was cold and drizzling and we had already walked many miles, 

this scene around our apartment table was a favorite of mine...

-food, wine, and great friends-

the laughter was abundant

(Thank you Alexa and Virginia)

Rue du Cherche Midi

75006, Paris

Hôtel du Nord VIII

Hôtel du Nord

Ah, the week is over and it is time to unwind

This is one of my favorite places to chill in Paris 

with friends and no particular plans.

bon weekend

Hôtel du Nord

102 Quai de Jemmapes

75010, Paris

Caves Legrand - Bar à vin

Caves Legrand

Accessed through Galeries Vivienne and from Rue de la Banque, this wine shop was operated by several generations of Legrands.  It was bought in 2000 by Gerard Sibourd-Baudry and Christian de Chateauvieux who renovated the place while keeping its quality wines orientation.  An inspired initiative was to add a wine bar section in the middle of the shop in 2001.  

Not only do they have good wines, but the ambiance is charming with an assortment of small plates to enjoy with your wine.  It is not exactly hidden, but is in a quiet corner of Galerie Vivienne.

bon weekend!

Caves Legrand

Galerie Vivienne

1, rue de la Banque

75002, Paris

Bercy Village - Cour St. Émilion

Cour Saint-Émilion

Bercy Village consists largely of small wine warehouses from the late 19th century.  The tracks seen in the paved courtyard above were originally used to transport barrels of wine in and out of the warehouses.  For more than a century and up until 1960, the Bercy neighborhood was a vast wine market.

Although some may complain that this has become a tourist attraction with its shops, bars, and restaurants, the architecture has been preserved (along with the rail tracks), and it has the feel of a historic village.  It is at the southeast end of Le Parc de Bercy and is easily accessed by Line 14, Métro Cour St. Émilion.

Cour Saint-Émilion

Bercy Village

75012, Paris

L'Ecailler du Bistrot - poissons et fruits de mer

L'Ecailler du Bistrot

Situated next door to Bistrot Paul Bert, this restaurant of huîtres (oysters), gambas (prawns), crevette (shrimp), homard (lobster), and many types of fish won my heart.  It is decorated with large wooden boats, maps and painted murals of shellfish.  The blackboard menus feature the daily catch and have a large selection of named oysters. 

 I learned from my experiences at Le Baron Rouge that you order oysters by the number which indicates the size of the oyster and by the beach, such as Omaha Beach.  There are too many choices so you order some of all of them and savor the individuality of each.  Just as the French cherish their baguettes, the oysters are serious business and not to be rushed.  They have a nice selection of wines, and a glass of Sancerre is a perfect accompaniment.

Living most of the year on the Gulf Coast of the US and traveling to other coastal oyster regions (Seattle, Vancouver), my tastes are discerning.  The oysters that I enjoyed at L'Ecailler du Bistrot were perhaps the best ever tasted.  One could close the eyes and be transported to Brittany.

miam-miam  

L'Ecailler du Bistrot

22, rue Paul Bert

75011, Paris

Des bonbons et du vin

Candy and wine

Even simple candy looks better in Paris.  There are so many delicious edibles in Paris that I am almost never tempted by candy of this sort.  However, at home I would never be able to keep my hands out of jars that looked like this.

Do you have a sweet tooth?

(Joyeux Mardi Gras!!)

Epicerie-confiserie P. Legrand Filles et Fils

1, rue de la Banque

75002, Paris

Au bord de la Seine - les amis

Friends gathering after work

for a casual rendez-vous

baguettes, fromage, saucisson-sec...

et beaucoup de vin

bon weekend

La Seine
Quai du Louvre
75001, Paris
Métro Louvre-Rivoli ou Pont Neuf

Le Tire Bouchon - Montmartre Piano Bar

How do you get a shot without a tourist in Montmartre?  

You walk around the corner... not very scenic but for me it was all about the color rouge and the name of this piano bar in Montmartre.  I remember the first time I heard about a "tire bouchon" and have loved the name for a "wine opener" ever since.

Remember if you buy one in Paris for your picnics in the parks, you will probably have to check it in your luggage if you are flying to the United States.  I have discovered that I can fly "to" Paris with one in my carry-on bag, but not back home.  Odd?

May there be "un tire bouchon" in your weekend! 

Le Tire Bouchon

9, rue Norvins

75018 Paris

Hotel du Nord - III

May you always see your glass as half-full,

and may it always be shared with good friends.

Bon weekend

Hotel du Nord
102 Quai de Jemmapes
75010 Paris

For more reflections come to James' Weekend Reflections