This post is one of many documenting my week in Paris, a present to myself for graduating pastry school in the fall of 2012. Every moment was spent eating and one post wasn’t enough. It’s now a short novel. Kidding. I hope.
It was so cold, sooo very cold on this particular morning. Hovering around the mid 40’s, the weather wasn’t exactly great for all the walking I needed to do in order to stick to my pastry schedule. Nevertheless I toughed it because it’s Paris and bundled in three layers of clothing, gloves and a scarf I made my way through the Bastille (12th arr) and Montmartre (18th arr) neighborhoods and ended up having some of the best food on my trip.
Right off the bat that morning I struck gold and had the best croissant and madeleine ever thanks to Patisserie Blé Sucré. The croissant was so good I ranked it #1 in my post here. The madeleine came in a packs of four which I regret getting only one of. The top was covered in a slightly opaque citrus glaze shell that broke into the most moist interior. So much so that after transporting the rest back to the states several days later they were just as good as that first day.
Blé Sucré is on one side of quaint square that has a small playground in the middle. There I enjoyed my treats, happiness overtaking bitterness from the cold. That’s what pastries do for me.
Blé Sucré’s shop has a cute green awning with a placard in wrought iron that matches in style with the gazebo in the park.
After the 12th arrondissement, I made my way to Montmartre to visit the Sacre Coeur, a church that sits on a hilltop at the highest point in the city and offers a breathtaking view. Now getting to the church, I wasn’t really looking all too carefully at my map so I wandered a bit and knew that as long as I kept going up stairs that eventually I’d make my way.
I passed by a Natural Fish Spa which I had to write about because the technique both fascinates and frightens me. I believe the fish nibble at your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells. Seeing how my phobia of touching fish has kept me from going snorkeling or scuba diving, I just can’t see myself trying this.
I loved this tree covering on the patio of Chez Plumeau. I took a photo to remind myself to eat there on my next visit. The menu highlights fresh, seasonal produce and it would be great to enjoy on that patio on a warm day. The restaurant is conveniently located near the area with the gathering of street artists.
After the Sacre Coeur, the nearby square with street artists is the next most popular sighting. I actually forgot how much of an attraction that area was. I heard more Mandarian spoken than French. It was an adjustment for me considering I spent most of the trip interacting with locals in pastry shops.
I finally had to get away from all the tourists and hiked up to the top of the hill. My reward? A tarte tatin that I carefully carried with me from Blé Sucré. The thin, even layers of apple sat on top of a crumbly crust. It was worth the effort not only for the treat but the view.
Paris from the steps of the Sacre Coeur. It was the perfect hour spent sitting there eating my tarte tatin with a harpist playing in the background. He goes by the name Harpist Hugo. I almost bought his CD so I could remind myself of that afternoon whenever I played it. You Tube works too.
Blé Sucré
7 rue Antoine Vollon
75012 Paris
Chez Plumeau
4 place du Calvaire
75018 Paris
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