I’ll miss the butter

The butter we have at the apartment is so odd yet so good. The butter has chunks of gros sel or big salt, making it saltier than anything I’ve had in the U.S., and definitely better in my opinion. In short, the butter is better.

-A

 

 

Dinner at La Rotisserie du Beaujolais

This evening we had dinner at La Rotisserie du Beaujolais, which took some planning ahead of time (because the menu was in French) so we didn’t accidentally order calf’s head with mayonnaise (Tete de veau sauce gribiche) or rabbit JAM with mashed eggplant (cul de lapin confit tapenade et puree). When we arived they took our coats and we sat down at a table near the window.

The late owner of the restaurant also owned the prestigious La Tour d’Argent which is just across the street. We were able to see it from our table.

Once diner was finished we walked back to the apartment and were able to see Notre Dame at night time.

-A

Enseignes

This is the building at the end of our street that housed a sign writer (Enseignes) in the 19th century. On the third floor you can see the images used in some of the signs. since only the educated could read, it was the sign writer’s job to write the name of the business and to paint an image that would reveal the meaning of the sign to all observers.

It reminds me of a building in our neighborhood that has a mural of cows painted in the styles of different schools of art. Like the sign writer’s image, the mural has persisted even though Fratelli’s dairy has been gone for years.

-B

More rollerblading

It’s Sunday and the rollerbladers are out. This time we saw them where the Quai de Montebello turns into the Quai de la Tournelle on the Left Bank, at the edge of the Seine. This is where our apartment’s short street meets the river.

-B

Sledding

Near the Hotel de Ville is this large ice skating rink set up for the winter time. When we walked past it today there was an artificial sledding hill where little kids could sled down, it looked like fun. I think if there was a MUCH steeper hill that I would have to go down it.

-A

A side note

One thing you can do to see the pictures better is to click on the thumbnail and you’ll see the full size. Just thought you should know.

-A

Headless Accordionist

Today as we were walking back from our morning adventures we saw an accordion player that looked a lot like Saint Denis (headless) though we could tell that he just had it underneath his suit. It seems on Sundays there are a lot more street performers than the other days we’ve been here. Also I think Max will like the picture that goes along with this post, be sure to show him.

-A

Segway

Our apartment has a Segway in it that belongs to the owner. We’re afraid to touch it. It looks so cool, like you could ride around in Paris on it but we can’t. Still it’s cool.

rue Maître Albert

Even though it is in the the very center of Paris and on the ground floor, our apartment feels very safe. A little girl likes to stand outside our door and look in when she plays in the courtyard, but her mother tells her to stop. We use four keys and five locks to get into the apartment from the street.

In our well-stocked bookcases I found a copy of Paris Then and Now which shows an Enseignes (sign writer) shop in the place that now sells crepes and sorbet. We can still see the signmaker’s images on the facade of the building. A’s great grandfather was a sign maker and A is addicted to crepes, so a visit there is on the agenda.

Evidently the street (and surrounding area) was nearly destroyed in the 19th century and again after World War II. This last time it was saved because French President Mitterand bought and restored a house on the next street, rue Biévre.

-B

Pantheon version B

I loved the Pantheon because it celebrates reason and science using the emotional tools that are typically used for religion. Watching Foucalt’s pendulum swing in the great dome is as meditive as a litany, but it stimulates creative thought instead of stifling it.

Seeing Voltaire’s crypt was the best part.

After we finished looking inside we sat on the steps in the sun and enjoyed the view of the Eiffel Tower and the students playing ball in the square.

-B