For Men Only: Getting to Paris

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Ever wonder why women the world over often dream of French men? Because they have an air about them. From the tops of their heads to their well-cut pants to their polished, non-sneaker shoes, they’re confident, put together, ready for anything. In other words: they have a sense of style, and they wear it with confidence.

The essence of men's French style: sleek lines, good quality, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

The essence of men’s French style: sleek lines, good quality clothing, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

If there’s one situation that many men lack confidence in, it’s packing for a European trip; otherwise, why would there be so many suggested packing lists available on the internet? My travel experience has taught me would-be travelers concentrate too much on following someone else’s packing list instead of formulating their own. You have to pack for you — your habits, your needs, and what you plan to do while in Paris: in other words, you should pack from the inside out — while taking in consideration you’ll be in a foreign country where men are, for the most part, well-groomed and well-dressed.

What do I mean by packing from the inside out? Let’s focus first on your toiletries and personal items. What do you use every day? Write down which personal items you use from the time you wake up until you go out the door: brush/comb, shampoo, body soap, washcloth or similar item in the shower, razor, shave cream, after shave, cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, blow dryer (with a 2-round-pin adapter for France). Occasionally you cut yourself shaving, so add band-aids and Neosporin to your list. Do you get a sore on your foot from time to time? Add whatever you use for that. Do you use any other products on an occasional basis that you wouldn’t want to live without? Add them to the list. While many grocery and large-chain drug stores have a travel section for personal products, here are two resources for products:  AllTravelSizes.com and Sephora Sets for Men.

Let’s assume you’re going to Paris for a week in the fall with a friend. Talk about what the two of you plan to do together before you pack: You’ll want your wardrobe to be in-sync with your friend’s. (Okay, guys, I’m not suggesting you tell your friend why you’re asking. Just find out nonchalantly.) After all, if your friend wants to take a dinner cruise on the Seine River (or eat at any nice restaurant), you’ll want to be properly dressed: most fine cuisine restaurants in Paris still require men to wear a jacket and tie. Say you’re planning to sight-see (think: lots of walking), visit the Eiffel Tower and other attractions, a dinner cruise, a trip to Versailles. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes but not tennis shoes: GQ recommends rubber sole shoes by John Lobb, but since they can cost as much as air fare (or more), check out the rubber sole loafers available at Zappos. 

To help you understand what clothes to bring, I recommend tracking trending weather conditions there for 2 weeks prior to your trip. For the record, temperatures in Paris average 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in September, and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) in October: cool but not cold. Layering is your best strategy in case it gets significantly warmer or colder than average. This means take 2-3 short-sleeved shirts, 2-3 long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 V-neck sweaters, 1-2 dress shirts (even better: shirts made to order by Proper Cloth), a wind-breaker, a heavier jacket (take this with you on the plane), a scarf. For evening, you’ll need a pair of dress pants (you’re on your own; they should fit well and be wrinkle-resistant). For sightseeing, I recommend pickpocket-proof pants from Clothing Arts or Bluff Works (being mindful the color you order works with your shirts and sweaters). Add to this list accessories: dress belt, underwear, socks, and cuff links if you plan to be really dressy. (You’ll fit right in.)

Don’t forget your technological needs, such as your smartphone charger and ear buds. Think twice before taking your laptop: unless you absolutely have to have it for work, leave it at home.

The best packing list for men traveling to Europe I’ve seen is this one from Ken’s Travel Tips. In case you like lists. Also, see GQ’s 8 Best Items for Traveling Light.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

For a suitcase, I will always love Hartmann luggage because of how well the luggage is made and their lifetime guarantee; my favorite is the Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive. Whatever you purchase, do yourself a favor and buy anything except black luggage. Why? Because everyone buys black luggage. When I came back from Kazakhstan some time ago, two of my four bags went missing (the tags were ripped off); Delta Airlines told me the only reason I got them back was because they stood out in their warehouse. The Delta employee told me: “You should see our warehouse…it’s nothing but a sea of black luggage.” Sure, black is sophisticated and under-stated; but if it goes missing, you might not see it again. Purchasing luggage in a color that will stand out from everyone else’s black luggage is almost as good as buying travel insurance.

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

If you pack right, you’ll be able to get more in your suitcase than you think. I use travel-size Ziploc bags to conserve on space. I don’t like the “envelopes” that you put several items in because I don’t find they conserve space, and I don’t recommend the bags that you vacuum air out of because…where will you find a vacuum for your return trip? Ziploc bags also protect your clothes in case your bags are searched: TSA agents can shake them to their hearts’ content, and your socks and underwear won’t fall to the ground and mop up the floor. Put items you will wear together in one bag, zip the bag three-quarters of the way, then roll the bag to extinguish the air.

You’ll want to be your best self in Paris. With a little help from experts, you’ll do just that.

 

Bon voyage!

 

 

All images except Hartmann Spinner from CanStockPhoto. Hartmann Spinner from Hartmann.com, CCBY 2.0.

Author’s note: The model pictured is of Indian descent and exhibits a Frenchman’s style perfectly.

Packing from the inside out is adapted from “Organizing From the Inside Out,” by Julie Morganstern.

Destination Wedding in Paris: A Hotel For You and Your Guests

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Here are 7 factors to consider when booking your destination wedding in Paris hotel for you and your guests, as well as 4 recommendations.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

1. Price. Whether you or your guests are paying for their rooms, the price or a room or a suite is an important factor. It is also likely negotiable if you have enough guests staying in the same hotel. Look at search sites such as TripAdvisor Price Finder or Trivago to find the best price for the type of room you want. Then call the hotel and tell them you have ‘x’ number of guests coming on ‘y’ date, and the best price you found online is ‘z.’ Ask them if they have a group rate, and if not, if they can do better than that price. Even better, before you call the hotel you really want, do the same for at least two other hotels; no matter if the other hotels two have enough rooms to accommodate you, your dream hotel will never know. It’s possible your dream hotel will give you a better price than the one you’ve quoted. If they give you a group rate, you will likely have to pay a deposit based on the total number of guests. Notes: It is important to do this in a phone call rather than an email. Also, if you are considering to hold your ceremony and/or reception at your hotel, be sure to give this information at the time of booking.

2. Type of rooms available – single/double/suite. Consider not just your needs, but the needs of your guests. Is anyone coming with a child? Will you have guests who are elderly or have special needs? Some guests will likely be more comfortable in a suite (with additional seating and space to move around) than a single or double room.

3. Location near ceremony and/or reception. It is said that while in Paris, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a metro stop. Still, in the event of foul weather, you would want to be close to metro if that is your mode of transportation, or, if your ceremony/reception is on the outskirts of Paris, you will want to stay as close as possible to your venue. If it is important that you stay near your reception, search the address on Google and click on “Maps.” From there, use the Nearby search and search for hotels close to it. There will be many, most likely. At least it will help you narrow down your search.

4. Location in view of favorite landmark(s). Have you always dreamed of staying in the 7e in full view of the Eiffel Tower? You will pay handsomely for that view, regardless of what kind of room it is. Again, use Google Maps to locate your favorite landmark, and search Nearby for hotels.

5. Hotel also to be your ceremony and/or reception venue. If you hold your ceremony and/or reception at the hotel, it will certainly make it easier on your guests, if not yourself. Try to find a hotel with gardens or other public spaces so your guests won’t get bored with their surroundings.

6. Level of Luxury desired, including Wi-Fi (pronounced “wee-fee” in France). Gardens, restaurants, furnishings, all will have an impact on how you remember your wedding in Paris.

7. Close to metro and/or parking. Try to make it easy to get there. Check out the parking situation (if important) and tell your guests.

 

Le Bristol Paris
112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 43 43 00

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

Email: reservation@lebristolparis.com

Amenities: 3 restaurants (a 3-Michelin star and 1-Michelin star) and a bar; Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, one of the world’s most luxurious skin care names; Swimming pool; Fitness Centre.

Metro: Saint-Phillippe-du-Roule

Le Bristol came to my attention when it was featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I fell in love with the plush interiors of the rooms, the flowers, the elegant look of the place. And get this — what really did it for me was the trim moulding on the walls; that detail just speaks luxury to me. History? Le Bristol was built in the 18th century and features furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, along with paintings and fine fabrics reflecting the eras. Chef Eric Frechon is a recipient of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (“Best Craftsman in France”) title for his 3-Michelin star restaurant Epicure.The hotel makes many Top Hotels in Paris lists. Located in the 8th arrondissement, it’s located in-between the Champs-Elysees and boulevard Haussmann, two luxury shopping areas. Le Bristol is a 5-minute walk from Saint-Philippe-du-Roule metro.

 

 

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)

Raph & John's reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Amenities: Cafe, Bar & La Verriere Restaurant (set in a winter garden); Spa treatments; Sauna; Shoe shine; Private limousine; Business Center.

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. The 9th arrondissement is mostly known as the home of the Opera House, and Le Grand Hotel offers floodlit views of it. The hotel’s Opera Ballroom, which Raph & John rented for their reception, is said to be the most renowned ballroom in Paris, and is so stunning it took my breath away the first time I saw it.

 

Four Seasons George V Hotel Paris
31 avenue George V
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 52 70 00

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Email: Contact Page

Amenities: Spa (Massages, facials, hair salon); Health Club; Pool & whirlpool; Saunas & steam rooms; 24-hour Business Centre; Multilingual Concierge; Complimentary standard WiFi; Babysitting services; Internet access in meeting rooms; Family activities.

Metro: George V

I became familiar with the Four Seasons brand by the chain’s DC hotel where I used to have tea. Luxurious and elegant, I always felt at home there. The Four Seasons George V Hotel came into my radar when it was featured in the movie “French Kiss.” As you might imagine, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe via the Champs-Elysees, the most famous shopping district in Paris. Other than shopping, the 8th arrondissement is known for the Place de la Concorde and the Elysees Palace, the official residence of the President of France.

 

Les Jardins de la Villa & Spa (Boutique Hotel)
5 rue Belidor
75017 Paris

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

Phone: +33 01 53 81 01 10

Email: info@jardinsdevilla.com or Contact Page

Amenities: Garden terrace; Sauna; Steam bath; Massages; Fitness room; unlimited Wi-Fi; balcony with upgraded rooms; children under age 2 stay free.

Metro: Porte Maillot

This boutique is small with 33 rooms but has a lot of character and class; it is considered a small luxury hotel. Located in the 17th arrondissement, a relatively quiet living area for mostly upper-class and middle class young couples and families with children, it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe, and very close to Porte Maillot metro.

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

Raph & John at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Mercedes SLS outside Le Bristol Hotel by Ian McWilliams, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel by Calwhiz, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Les Jardins de la Villa by TripAdvisor.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

 

Some French Expats Fed Up with NYC Singles Scene Head Home

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Had a disappointing Valentine’s Day? Some French expats know exactly what you mean.

Source: Fed Up with Being Single in NYC, Some French Expats Head Home – French Morning

When I was teenager and confiding in someone, I said something to this person about how “dating is to find a mate for life, after all,” and he reacted like I said something incredibly intelligent. I looked at him blankly: “You’re joking, right?” He said not everyone makes that connection. As much as I respected him, part of me thought he was wacko. I thought it was obvious.

Now that I am older, I believe I see what he was talking about.

The above article from French Morning talks about how some French singles relocated to New York City for career advancement and who believed, reasonably, that they would find an American to settle down with, but who got so fed up with the singles scene in The City That Never Sleeps that they have packed it in and returned to France. Sure, they understand that just returning to France doesn’t guarantee they’ll find someone to love, but as Maud, a 32-year-old French woman put it so succinctly, “In France, the men that I meet will share my values, my culture, my codes.”

Intriguingly, it’s what the article doesn’t talk about that caught my attention: French people seem to have a much stronger expectation of marriage than Americans do. Regardless of what the statistics say in both countries — I am all-too-aware a skilled person can make statistics say whatever they want — articles like this one paint a picture whose canvas cannot be denied: French people want to marry, or at the very least, be in a committed, exclusive relationship, as opposed to being in several non-exclusive relationships at once.

Though perhaps non-exclusive dating is found mostly in big cities like New York. A psychologist cited in the article specializing in human sexuality, Professor David Buss, believes that when there is a surplus of women — or even a perceived surplus — “the whole mating system tends to shift towards short-term dating. Marriages become unstable. Divorces increase. Men don’t have to commit, so they pursue a short-term mating strategy. Men are making that shift, and women are forced to go along with it in order to mate at all.”

He believes modern technology — dating sites — only reinforces the surplus idea. I wonder: Is it that there seems to be an endless supply of women on dating sites, or are Americans so obsessed with their phones that their relationships suffer? Perhaps both?

I can only say this: As an older, single, American woman, seeing people so engrossed in their smartphones that they nearly walk into traffic is not a step in the right direction for American culture. Nor is surfing the internet rather than talking to the person you’re with having a latte with. Is this part of America’s problem? Are we so engrossed in technology that we miss noticing the available man or woman sitting nearby? Sounds like a script for a modern sit-com: A man cruises dating sites on his smartphone while an available woman sits next to him, wishes he would talk to her, and she eventually gives up and leaves.

A French couple wait out the rain at Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris

A French couple wait out the rain at Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.

I certainly haven’t seen French citizens, smartphones in hand, nearly walking into traffic or brick walls. Let’s hope technology won’t take over the City of Light Love and start playing cupid. I’m no expert, but somehow, that doesn’t seem very French to me.

 

Au revoir!

 

Blue Bar Silo by Jason Kuffer, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Under the Rain by Vincent Anderlucci, Flickr,
CCBY 2.0.

 

 

 

 

Joyeuse Saint Valentin!

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Joyeuse Saint Valentin! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today, many countries around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love in an often harsh world.

How did the day originate? According to one legend, Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers and Christians, both of whom were forbidden to marry under the Roman Empire. During his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.

The day was first associated with romantic love during the time of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when courtly love flourished. The modern-day tradition of giving flowers and sweets and sending greeting cards, “valentines,” evolved by the 18th century.

A lock of love on the Pont des Arts.

A lock of love on the Pont des Arts.

In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers “as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart.” This is why the locks on Pont des Arts in Paris were so meaningful, and their removal so poignant: in the City of Love, there is a rich tradition of keys, locks and love. Some governments would have never allowed such a public display of emotion; the French government only removed them because the weight of so many locks caused a safety hazard for the bridge.

In the U.S., in an effort to be inclusive, Valentine’s Day is for friends and family, as well as lovers, to express their warm feelings towards one another. But in Paris, it is a day for lovers to celebrate their romantic love with dinner, a show, a moon-lit walk, or perhaps a cruise on the River Seine.

I have no one special in my life. I met someone once, a man I worked with, someone who made me feel like “swirling and dancing” whenever I was around him. He brought out the very best in me, as a woman and a person, but I could never tell him how I felt. I realized only much later that deep down, I didn’t believe I deserved to be that happy. At least I still have my first love: Paris. I love Paris and its people as though the place and people were my own. My blood-line heritage may be only partly French, but I feel nearly 100% French in my heart. I hope I honor that love through my blog and website, Elsa’s Travel Blog on Paris.

Joyeuse Saint Valentin.

 

References: “Valentine’s Day,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. Lyrics of “Miracles” by Jefferson Starship, 1975.

Image of I Love Paris and lock on Pont des Arts by CanStockPhoto.

Destination Wedding in Paris: The Cake

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Selecting a wedding cake for a destination wedding in Paris has as much to do with who will bake it as to what kind of cake you prefer.

Raph & John selected a macaroon cake (left) and a croquembrouche as their wedding cake designs.

Raph & John selected a macaroon cake (left) and a croquembrouche as their wedding cake designs.

What is your wedding cake personality: traditional or modern? White or colorful? Butter cream or chocolate? Most brides look to colors and features of their theme for inspiration for their wedding cake. More about this later.

The traditional wedding cake in France — indeed, a traditional cake for all of life’s celebrations in France, such as baptisms, engagements and milestone anniversaries — is croquembouche, from croque en bouche, meaning “crunches in your mouth” — like a glazed doughnut hole, but with hard and thin layers of caramel as a coating. Croquembouche was invented by Antonin Careme, who is credited with creating many of the fundamentals of traditional French cuisine and pastry in the early 19th century.

Croquembouche II Wedding Cake of Lalie & Steeve by Agence Tophos_Flickr_9684100426_e97da3e511_z

A croquembouche wedding cake.

But just because you’re getting married in Paris doesn’t mean you’re limited to that particular tradition. Macaroon (macaron, in French) “cakes” — macaroons formed in a traditional pyramid (perhaps reflecting the shape of the Eiffel Tower) — have gained favor, and there is always la galette des Rois (“the Cake of Kings”), a flat, flaky cake that could be incorporated into your wedding cake. Ironically, many French brides are opting for multi-tiered American-style cakes, so if you have your heart set on that type, you will have no trouble finding a baker in Paris who will bake the cake of your dreams.

A white and silver cake with just a hint of blue.

A white and silver cake with just a hint of blue.

The more concrete the dream, the better. Start by determining which type of cake you want, then look for pictures of examples. As I stated earlier, most brides take inspiration from aspects of their theme: the flowers; colors and decorative embellishments of your invitations; and the color of your bridesmaid dresses can all be incorporated into the design of your cake. You can even sneak in your “something blue” by having a small blue embellishment on your cake. (Hey, it’s an idea, right?)

Apart from the design, do you or any of your guests have any food allergies, and therefore need a gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free cake? Another option is to offer another cake or dessert for those with food allergies, such as gluten-free cupcakes or the like. I am actually not a proponent of cupcakes as a wedding cake because I like the idea of everyone sharing in the matrimony of the two people getting married. Just as “breaking bread” with people at dinner signifies the sharing of  a meal and yourself (through conversation) with others, everyone eating from the same cake at a wedding seems more intimate and sharing than consuming individual cupcakes. But as an alternative for people who have to follow a special diet — I’m all for it.

Your cake’s size will depend on the number of guests, and whether you want the top tier for your first wedding anniversary.

I have provided two bakers who will design a wedding cake for a wedding in Paris, and one located in Avignon, in case you want to marry near Paris but not in the city itself.  Go onto their websites to look at what they’ve done before — but just because you don’t see something resembling your dream cake doesn’t mean the baker won’t make it. They want your business, and as most say outright, they will design and bake a cake to your exact specifications.

Regardless of whom you select as a baker, be sure to get a contract that covers the following:

*Cake’s size
*Number of tiers
*Design elements
*Flavors of cake and icing
*Guarantee free of irritant(s), if applicable (ex.: gluten-free)
*Delivery charge/Time of delivery
*Final price
*Cancellation policy
*Deposit policy
*Set up (including whether touch-ups will be provided on-site)
*Whether a cake knife is provided (You might want to provide your own to have as a keepsake)

I don’t recommend trying to save money by transporting the cake to your reception yourself. What if something happens en route? Also, the baker can do touch-ups on-site if necessary.

Also, try to have some embellishments on your cake table to make your cake look more festive. Flowers, votive candles, large lace, and greenery are just some examples. A cake on a table by itself can look lonely. Start with a table skirt and work from there.

The best way to inquire about ordering a cake is to either email a cake shop or contact them via their Contact page with the following information:

*Name
*Mobile number
*Date of event
*Number of guests
* Design ideas

 

Paris Luxury Cakes

Cristina Lasarte

Phone: +33 06 07 25 12 94

Email: parisluxurycakes@gmail.com

Hours: None given

Hortensia flowers.

Hortensia flowers.

Portfolio

Cristina Lasarte excelled as a teacher of the English language and Literature in her native Buenos Aires before she became a luxury cake baker. Her portfolio of wedding cakes is one of the finest I’ve ever seen. To prove it, compare the picture of Hortensia to the cake with Hortensia flowers (called “Classic Hortensia”) in her portfolio. My favorite, however, is the cake with the bow.

 

Sugar Plum Cake Shop

68 rue du Cardinal Lemoine
75005 Paris

Phone: +33 01 46 34 07 43

Email: info@sugarplumcakeshop.com

Hours: Tues-Sun 12:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Closed Mon

Portfolio

Sugar Plum Cake shop opened in Paris in the spring of 2010. The three-woman team has received world-wide press for their unique cake designs using traditional North American recipes and their coffee shop.

 

Made in Cake

Phone: +33 06 08 65 20 00

Email: infos@madeincake.net

Hours: Not given

Wedding Cake Portfolio

They do not provide information on their website as to who they are and how they got started. If you go onto their website, their Contact page is a pop-up to prevent spam. They are located in Avignon. Rates start at 6.50 euros per person, plus extra for decorations, depending on complexity. Minimum order is for 10 people. They will deliver within 100 km of their bakery for a delivery charge. Why did I feature them? Not everyone selects Paris as their France-destination-wedding location, and their flower designs are spectacular.

 

 

Au revoir!

 

References: “Beyond Brioche: When Wedding Bells Ring, Croquembouche,” by Lucie Rose, French Morning, published September 20, 2015. “Your Wedding Cake,” Modern Wedding Planner, pp. 100-104. “Croquembouche,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Image of Raph & John’s wedding cakes by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Croquembouche wedding cake of Lalie & Steeve by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. White and cornflower blue wedding cake with silver accents (created by Graceful Cake Designs) by Grace Tan, Flickr,
CCBY 2.0. Image of Hortensia flowers by Dietmut Teijgeman-Hansen, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Slideshow: Wedding cake of Anais & Christophe by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Eiffel Tower wedding cake from Pinterest (via Etsy), CCBY 2.0. La Gallette des Rois by Gael Chardon, Flickr,
CCBY 2.0. Image of horizontal wedding cake by Tracy Hunter, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Chocolate fudge wedding cake by Heather, CCBY 2.0. Wedding cake by Tracy Hunter, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Wedding cake and Macaroons by Carl, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wedding cupcakes by Cat, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

 

 

A Man’s Top 10 Foods You Have To Eat In Paris

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Today I’m sharing ‘a Dude Food Blogger’s’ Top 10 Foods to eat while in Paris. My reaction: Women will be able to tell it’s a man’s list. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Source: The Top 10 Foods You Have To Eat In Paris

Sure, American men generally love sandwiches, but what about when he goes to Paris? Here is one man's perspective.

Sure, American men generally love sandwiches, but what about when they go to Paris? Here is one man’s perspective.

In the midst of my Destination Wedding in Paris series comes February, and with it, St. Valentine’s Day (Saint-Valentin in France): two things that make me think of love. What better way to show your significant other that you love them than to suggest one or more of these Top 10 foods the next time you both visit Paris? I’ve included some additional information with each recommendation; at times, my research about these establishments differs from what appears in the post, which appears to have been published in 2012. I also have pared down the original list somewhat, due to chef changes and brevity.

Psssstttttt….there will be a few other posts having to do with men during the month of February.

 

Gelatto from Pozzotto.

Gelatto from Pozzotto.

10. Dessert

*Ice Cream/Gelatto

Pozzetto
39 rue du Roi de Sicile
75004 Paris

Phone: +33 01 42 77 08 64

Hours: 12:15 P.M. – 11:45 P.M., except for Fri & Sat, closing time is 12:45 A.M.

Metro: Hotel de Ville or Saint-Paul

Pozzetto’s ice cream and gelatto is thought to be the creamiest. As recommendations, try Pistachio and Giunduja (chocolate-hazelnut).

 

Crepes with strawberries and cream.

Crepes with strawberries and cream.

*Crepes

L’Avant Comptoir
9 Carrefour de l’Odeon
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 44 27 07 50

Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Chef Yves Camdeborde’s Le Comptoir du Relais nearby is a Michelin-selection restaurant. His L’Avant Comptoir has excellent crepes and creme brulee, both staples in France. Try the chocolate crepes with Chantilly cream. Note: While this is a man’s list, one woman I know deeply regretted not having a crepe while in Paris. Keep this in mind, guys! (Please.) (Note: A company website was not available.)

 

Creme Brulee.

Creme Brulee.

*Creme Brulee

Bistrot Paul Bert
18 rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 72 24 01

Hours: Mon-Thurs 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Fri & Sat. 12:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny or Rue des Boulets

Bistrot Paul Bert is a Michelin-selection restaurant. The Grand Marnier Souffle is said to be “pretty darn perfect.” (Note: A company website was not available.)

 

9. Falafel

Your mouth will water just looking at this fallafel (French spelling) sandwich.

Your mouth will water just looking at this Falafel sandwich.

L’As du Fallafel
32-34 rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris

Phone: +33 01 48 87 63 60

Hours: 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 A.M; Closed Sat.

Metro: Saint-Paul

Their falafel sandwiches are said to be “the best falafel sandwiches in the world.” They are also Kosher and inexpensive.

 

8. Splurge Dinner

Perfectly Cooked Fish at Spring Restaurant.

Perfectly Cooked Fish at Spring Restaurant.

*Spring Restaurant
6 rue Bailleul
75001 Paris

Phone: +33 01 45 96 05 72

Hours: Tues-Sat, 6:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Closed Sun & Mon

Metro: Louvre-Rivoli

Spring Restaurant is a Michelin-selection restaurant. Chef Daniel Rose and his team offer a 4-course prix fixe dinner for 84 euros (which means there is no menu); there is an optional course for 15 euros. The staff is described as “warm and friendly to foreigners.”

 

Bass Filet with honey and cream of mushroom at Bistro Paul Bert.

Bass Filet with honey and cream of mushroom at Bistro Paul Bert.

*Bistrot Paul Bert
18 rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 72 24 01

Hours: Mon-Thurs 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Fri & Sat. 12:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny or Rue des Boulets

Lively and boisterous, it is so good you might want to make a reservation 2-3 weeks in advance. The chef offers a prix fixe menu for 18 euros or 36 euros. It is a Michelin-selection restaurant and worth every penny.  (Note: A company website was not available.)

 

A delectable meal at Le Chateaubriand.

A delectable meal at Le Chateaubriand.

*Le Chateaubriand
129 avenue Parmentier
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 57 45 95

Hours: Tues-Sat 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Closed Sun & Mon

Metro: Goncourt

Le Chateaubriand is a Michelin-selection restaurant, and was voted one of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” in 2015 by The Diners Club World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, the mechanism used to create the list. Chef Inaki Aizpitarte offers a prix fixe dinner for 65 euros (which changes daily), which blends French, Asian and Latin American culinary influences. Tables can be booked two weeks in advance.

 

Laduree macaroons.

Laduree macaroons.

7. Macaroons (Macarons)

*Laduree
64 boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 42 82 40 10

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 A.M. – 8:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Havre-Caumartin

Laduree is credited with inventing the macaroon in the early 20th century. The Dude Food Blogger has a slight preference for Pierre Herme’s macaroons.

 

Macarons from Pierre Herme.

Macaroons from Pierre Herme.

*Pierre Herme (Multiple locations)
72 rue Bonaparte
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 54 47 77

Hours: Sun-Wed 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., Thurs & Fri 10:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M., Sat 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Saint-Sulpice

Pierre Herme comes from a long line of bakers. He helped Laduree expand their business, and opened his first bakery in Tokyo in 1998; his first bakery in Paris opened in 2002. He now has 10 stores in Tokyo, three in Hong Kong, 11 in Paris, three in London, and an on-line store. The Lime-Basil and the Salted Caramel macaroons are recommended. Hours vary by location.

 

6. Wine Bar

Wine and dessert at L'Avant Comptoir.

Wine and dessert at L’Avant Comptoir.

L’Avant Comptoir
9 Carrefour de l’Odeon
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 44 27 07 50

Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Casual and boisterous, L’Avant Comptoir is a zinc bar/bistro owned by Chef Yves Camborde, whose Le Comptoir du Relais nearby is a Michelin-selection restaurant. Did I say “casual”? The menu hangs down from the ceiling on oversized cards! The Jamon (cured ham) with Artichoke Cream on Waffles, and the Duck confit sausage hot dog are recommended. Cost averages 5-10 euros per plate. It is the only restaurant of its kind in Paris. (Note: A company website was not available.)

 

5. Cheese

Cheese Shop (Fromager) of Laurent Dubois.

Cheese Shop (Fromager) of Laurent Dubois.

Fromager Laurent Dubois (Multiple locations)
47 Ter boulevard Saint-German
75005 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 54 50 93

Hours: Tue-Sat 8:00 A.M. – 7:45 P.M., Sun 8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Closed Sun (Hours vary by location.)

Metro: Maubert-Mutalite

Think of France, and many people think of cheese. (Okay, perhaps wine and cheese.) Where better to sample cheese than at Fromager Laurent Dubois’s shop? Laurent Dubois is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (an “MOF”) (“Best Craftsman in France”) in his culinary field of cheese-aging. The shop has cheese consultants who will help you make selections based on your taste preference and when you would like to consume it.

 

4. Chocolate

A window gazer at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

A window gazer at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

*Patrick Roger Chocolatier
108 boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 29 38 42

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Patrick Roger is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) (“Best Craftsman in France”) as a chocolatier. He is known for his unique flavors. Try the half-spheres that are liquid caramel in a thin layer of chocolate.

 

3. Baguette, Pain au Chocolat, and Pastries

*Baguette

Eric Kayser (Multiple locations)
1 boulevard du Montparnasse
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 47 83 75 39

Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M., Closed Sun

Pain au chocolat and baguette from Kayser Boulangerie (Bakery).

Pain au chocolat and baguette from Kayser Bakery (Boulangerie).

Metro: Duroc

Eric Kayser is a 4th-generation baker who opened his first bakery in Paris in 1996 at age 32; his bakeries are now world-wide, though each location adapts to local tastes and flavors. You can taste his Midas touch in his flaky breads and pastries.

 

*Pain au Chocolat

Angelina Tea Room (Multiple locations)
Rive Gauche
108 rue du Bac
75007 Paris
Phone: +33 01 42 22 63 08

Hours: Mon-Thur 9:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M., Fri & Sat 9:00 – 8:00 P.M., Sun 10:00 – 6:00 P.M. Hours vary by location.

Metro: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre

Angelina has many locations in Paris and abroad; I selected this particular location because it is so close to a metro stop. They were founded in 1903 during the period of Belle Epoche, and their refined interior reflects it. In addition to their excellent pastries, they offer a snacks, large salads, and a lunch menu.

 

St. Honore Pastry from the Cake Shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It is made up of puff pastry, cream puffs, whipped cream, and caramelized sugar.

The St. Honore Pastry is made up of puff pastry, cream puffs, whipped cream, and caramelized sugar.

*St. Honore Pastry

Cake Shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
251 rue Saint Honore
75001 Paris

Phone: +33 01 70 98 74 00

Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Concorde

You might think that a pastry shop located within a hotel wouldn’t be particularly outstanding. The Cake Shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel will change your mind. Perhaps it had to be persuasive: It’s located at the entrance to Camelia, the hotel’s Michelin-guide restaurant; Chef Thierry Marx also has a Michelin 2-star restaurant, Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, within the hotel. In addition, the street name, Saint Honore, is the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs.

 

Le Beurre Butter is expensive but worth it.

Le Beurre Bordier butter is expensive but worth it.

2. Butter, specifically Le Beurre Bordier

Described as “the Ferrari of butter,” it is also said to be dangerous: one bite of it on a slice of baguette and you might finish the entire package. It has everything you love about butter x 10: a little more salt, a higher fat content, and silky smooth. Here is a list of a few places you can purchase it in Paris.

More than any other entry, this one convinces me The Dude Food Blogger is a true food connoisseur, for what is the best bread without the best butter to go with it?

 

1. Caramels

Jacques Gengins Mango Passion Caramels.

Jacques Gengin’s Mango Passion Caramels.

*Jacques Genin Chocolatier
133 rue de Turenne
75003 Paris

Phone: +33 01 45 77 29 01

Hours: Closed Mon, Tues-Fri & Sun, 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., Sat 11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Oberkampf

The Dude Food Blogger would pick Jacques Genin if he had to pick one place to do his caramel shopping. Try the natural caramel and the ginger caramel.

 

Chocolates at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

Chocolates at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

*Patrick Roger Chocolatier
108 boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 29 38 42

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

One look at Patrick Roger’s website and you know he’s not your ordinary chocolatier. But then, he’s a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) (“Best Craftsman in France”), so of course he stands out. So do his caramels.

 

Bon Appetit!

 

 

 

References: “Pierre Herme,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “Eric Kayser,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “Belle Epoche,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Image of ham sandwich by Viewminder, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Pozzotto gelatto from Pinterest (Findeatdrink.com), CCBY 2.0. Image of crepes with strawberries by Mingerspice, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of creme brulee by Austin Matherne, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Fallafel by Robert Occhialini, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of perfectly cooked fish at Spring Restaurant by Margaret L., Yelp, CCBY 2.0. Image of bass filet with honey and cream of mushroom at Bistro Paul Bert by Kevin Phua, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of meal at Le Chateaubriand by Kok Chin & Sarah Gan, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image Laduree macaroons from Sophiasbaking.blogspot.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of macaroons from Pierre Herme by NuRIDOL, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wine and dessert at L’Avant Compton by Robert Young, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Fromager Laurent Dubois’s cheese shop by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of window gazer at Patrick Roger Chocolatier by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of pain au chocolat and baguette from Kayser Bakery by Sun Brockle, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of St. Honore pastry from the cake shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel from Pinterest, CCBY 2.0. Image of Le Beurre Bordier butter by Christabelle, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Jacques Gengins Mango Passion Caramels from Pinterest (the-cooking-of-joy.blogspot.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of chocolates at Patrick Roger Chocolatier by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

For Men Only: The Perfect French Woman: Myth or Not?

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French women know one can go far with a great haircut, a bottle of champagne, and a divine perfume.

–Mireille Guiliano, author of “French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure”

If a French woman is the quintessential woman, Catherine Deneuve was the quintessential French woman for her generation.

If a French woman is the quintessential woman, Catherine Deneuve is the quintessential French woman for her generation.

Source: The Myth of the Perfect French Woman isn’t New, but it’s Not Getting Old Either – French Morning

French women are viewed by many as the quintessential model for women: elegant, classy, thin, mysterious. Ever wonder where this view started? According to a lecturer at La Sorbonne, it all started at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris (“Exposition Universelle”). The Fair showed off many French technological achievements — the Grande Roue de Paris Ferris Wheel, escalators, and talking films, to name a few — but the first thing visitors to Paris saw at that time was an effigy of a French woman, wearing fashionable clothes and an ‘insouciant’ attitude. She appeared on the scene at the precise moment when French businesses needed a unique way to market their products (though I’m not saying they were conscious of this need). Virtually overnight, a star was born: the image was used to promote French fashion and beauty and luxury products. To own these products was to be as beautiful and remote as that 1900 image. French fashion and beauty products, and by extension, French women, became synonymous with style, elegance, class.

Coco Chanel's influence in French haute couture is unparalleled.

Coco Chanel’s influence on French haute couture is unparalleled.

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) was 17 years old at the time of the 1900 World’s Fair. Like all French women (and men, for that matter), she would have seen how this beautiful, fashionable, non-chalant image was a driving force in French culture. She certainly wanted to be on the inside of this force rather than outside looking in, but having been born into poverty, she either had to marry well or make her own fortune. Having learned to sew while living in an orphanage, she started work as a seamstress, and eventually opened her own millinery shop. Her business took off when an actress of the time wore her hats in the play Bel Ami in 1912.

We’ll never know if it was the ‘insouciant’ attitude that influenced her early designs, but whatever it was, she made jaws drop by designing elegant, casual clothes in fabric previously reserved for men only. Casual clothes? Pants! A revelation for women at the time. She went on to design suits, “the little black dress,” handbags, and perfume, her most famous being Chanel No. 5. (You know the story, don’t you? The 5th formula that the designers presented her with was the one she liked; Chanel No. 5 is now the world’s best selling perfume.) Coco Chanel may not be the first French designer to design perfume — but she perfected it.

Today, Marion Cotillard carries the torch of the quintessential French woman.

Today, Marion Cotillard carries the torch of the quintessential French woman.

With this as background, French Morning reports that La Sorbonne offers a course during the summer months on the myth and reality of idealizing French women. What do you think? Do you think French women have an edge over all others? I can only say this: When I was last in Paris and walking along the Champs-Elysees, this well-dressed young French woman walked by, and every male head in a 5-meter radius whipped their head around to take a look. Many American women think men don’t appreciate feminine women; my experience says otherwise.

Something to think about the next time you meet a woman who has that…certain something…that je ne sais quoi (“I do not know what”) that holds your attention.

 

Au revoir!

 

Image of Catherine Deneuve in a 1979 ad for Chanel No. 5 by Classic Film, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Coco Chanel by Hto2008, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Marion Cotillard by Studio Harcourt, Wikimedia Commons, CCBY 3.0.

Reference: “Exposition Universelle, 1900” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.