French Baking Class in Paris

Don't you just love croissants? I do, and now I can make them...thanks to COOK'N WITH CLASS in Paris, France! I took their hands-on Baking Class and learned how to make croissants, pain au chocolat and a few other pastries.

Croissants take about two days to complete, so we made the dough and put it in the refrigerator for the next class, and used the dough the last class made.

It was very interesting making the dough with so many layers of rich creamy butter. There were only five people in the class, so we were all involved in the entire process.

When we were finished baking, we had a feast of warm, flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness! 

We each went home with a bag of pastries, and by the time Marc and I returned to our apartment, our instructor, Emanuelle, had emailed us the recipes, written instructions and a video showing each step of the process.

If you like to bake, and Paris is calling your name, I encourage you to check out this school. I can't wait to take more of their classes! 

The Fleas

Marc and I enjoy roaming the flea markets when we travel, sometimes finding a treasure or two to bring home. Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest flea market we’ve ever been to, and the most famous one in Paris.

We spent several hours at the market and saw everything from cheap plastic toys to expensive antique furniture. We didn’t see any bargains, but it was a very interesting adventure. When we got hungry we ate a warm Nutella crepe…mmm…it was yummy!

This piece called out to us from one of the antique shops. It now has a home in the niche in the entryway of our house.

Do you browse the flea markets?

A Diet in Paris…I Don’t Think So!

One thing I was really looking forward to in Paris was pastry/bread, and I was not disappointed. It seemed like there was a boulangerie and/or patisserie on every other corner. I was in heaven!

 

Each morning I walked across the street from the apartment and purchased fresh warm croissants for breakfast. This could easily become a morning ritual.

 

 

I think I ate about five pastries/croissants a day and never gained a pound because I walked so much. I could go to Paris just for the pastries! A word of advice…INDULGE...leave the diet at home.

I Love Fragonard

I have a weakness for European soap. I love the way is smells and the way it feels on my skin. It’s so creamy and perfumes the whole bathroom. I purchased these soaps from the Fragonard store in Montmartre. They smell WONDERFUL and I can’t wait to use them!

Do you have a weakness for soap?

 

 

 

 

Montmartre Photo Shoot

While strolling in Montmartre we came upon a photo shoot, which was quite interesting. It was very low-key. Everyone was quietly doing their job…I’m sure some people didn’t even notice what was going on. We didn’t want to get in the way, so these are the only pictures we have to share.

 

The model…

...the backdrop.

Perusing Place du Tertre

Near Sacrė-Couer is an area called Place du Tertre. It’s a bustling area where many artists set up their easels and paint. Some artists do portraits for the tourists while others paint Parisian landscapes. Marc enjoys purchasing pieces from local artists wherever we travel.

He purchased this piece…

…from this artist.

Sacrė-Couer – Part 2

Here is a view of Sacrė-Couer from the front. It was a beautiful sunny day, so there were many people visiting the church.

 

 From the front of the church there were wonderful views of Paris.

 

Playing for the crowd and selling his CD’s. 

We walked up, but decided to take the funicular down.

Basilique du Sacrė-Couer

Here are a few images of the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacrė-Couer), which was a two minute walk up a few hundred stairs from our apartment.  This is not the front of the church, but the view you see at the top of our stairs.

 

We’re Home from Paris

     Our trip to Paris has ended and we’re back at home. We had another great adventure that I'll be sharing in the days to come.

     I had posted earlier that I was only taking one carryon bag, since we were renting and apartment with a washing machine. That idea worked out well, until I started shopping. In the end I had to buy a piece of cheap (20 euro) luggage to check, so I could get everything home. 

     We stayed at this apartment in Montmartre and it was WONDERFUL! I highly recommend staying here.

 

     The rain came down most days we were there, but we didn’t let it slow us down.

     It’s springtime in Paris…and it was fabulous!

Feels Like Home in Paris

We're off to Paris for two weeks in May. We've be living in this apartment in Montmartre.

It comes with a Mac with WIFI, 50% off on a cooking class at Cook'n With Class cooking school and the use of an iPhone loaded with helpful apps and free calls to the US.

 

 

 

Doesn't it look too CUTE?!!

 

Source: Images



Markets of Paris

     I enjoy visiting the markets in Europe, because they allow me to meet the people as they go about their daily lives. Since Paris has so many markets, I figured I'd better have to have a plan for my upcoming trip.  
     I recently purchased the book Markets of Paris Second Edition, by Dixon Long & Marjorie R. Williams. It's 300 pages of every kind of market you could imagine. There are markets for food, antiques, crafts, books, fabric, furniture...you name it, it's there.
     This book is organized by arrondissement. Each listing shows the market type, name, Metro stop, date/times, as well as a brief description of the market. There are many pictures throughout the book to entice you.
     Included is a section of restaurants, as well as helpful books, blogs and websites. In addition, there are two maps with the markets plotted, to give you a good visual idea where they are located. The copyright date is 2012, and the size of the book is only 4 x 6, so it's current and small enough to pack. 

     I'll be taking this book to Paris. I'm sure I'll be checking out the museums, but the markets are where I'll really learn about the local culture. I'm so excited!
     When you travel, how do you learn about the local culture?

Source: Image
    

Paris Travel Planning

     As I’ve previously mentioned, Marc and I are going to Paris in May. WooHoooo...let the planning begin! Here are the books I’m using to help plan our trip. They both have lots of information about places to see and things to do, along with practical information about how to get around. There also is a very useful section on French words and phrases. In addition, there are plenty of maps and pictures…I need pictures to get my attention.

 

     These books, along with suggestions from my friends at Slow Travel are what I’m using to plan a fun trip to Paris.

     What do you use to plan your trips?

 

Source: Image_1, Image_2