Street Art

Métro: Line 12 Solférino

Bus: Line 63 or 83 Solférino-Bellechasse

Address: 227, Boulevard St Germain, 75007 Paris
Artist: C 215 -Christian Guemy

Promenade Pereire

Métro: Line 3 Pereire

            Line 1 Porte Maillot

Bus: Line 43 Pereire Porte Maillot

Address: Boulevard Pereire, 75017 Paris
Hours: Varies with seasons
Website: https://www.paris.fr/equipements/promenade-pereire-2821

Ah Nostalgia! I used to work on that boulevard (sounds naughty when I read it out loud lol, I promised it wasn't like that.), hence I walked on Promenade Pereire almost daily.  What I love about this place is that it's just local kids with their nannies, grandmas going for a walk or workers taking a much needed break. It's lively and yet calm. Very family oriented. The nicest section goes from the roundabout Pereire-Maréchal Juin to Rue de Bayern.

Like most gardens, the best time to enjoy this park is in the Spring, but surprisingly in the Fall, you can enjoy the tunnels of yellow and red leafs as well as some beautiful roses. There's also multiples playgrounds, ping-pong tables and sculptures to enjoy.

I usually like getting a little something to eat around Ternes which is a 5 mn walk and a very busy neighborhood and just enjoy my goodies on a bench of Promenade Pereire where it is more quiet and almost village like. I truly enjoy admiring the façades of the boulevard which is a big part of the charm of this area.

Le Petit Gris

Métro: Line 3  Pereire

Bus: Line 93 or 163 Pereire-Le Chatelier

Address: 67, rue Rennequin, 75017 Paris

Hours: Tuesday to Friday- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
            Saturday - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Price: Lunch Special 25 euros
Website: http://restaurantpetitgris.fr/

I used to work in the area a few years ago and wanted to return in order to cover a few places that I truly missed. But things in Paris change super fast and the 3 places I loved closed. As I was walking around, hungry and sad, I noticed a small restaurant. I was immediately drawn to it. It is cozy, earthly and just simple. The way I like it. I hesitated though, because I do a ton of research before trying a new restaurant. I have been disappointed so many times and honestly when a place is empty, it's not a good sign. I didn't know anything about this place. Big risk but I am a risk taker. I was literally the only one there but then again, it had barely opened. I went in and decided to try it. It is only a few days after that I learned that the chef is Jean-Baptiste Ascione, an ex- Top Chef candidate.  As time went by, it quickly got crowded and I noticed that almost everyone had a reservation. I guess I got lucky! I took the Lunch special (25 euros) which includes a main dish and either an entrée or a dessert. Almost 99% of the time, I opt for the dessert but on that day, not sure why, I chose the entrée.

The menu is short which is always a good sign because it means that 1/ it probably changes often with the seasons and 2/ it's fresh, fresh ,fresh. I took the "pâté en croûte" (aka meat pie).  Normally it's a dish that is pretty blend, just to fill you in until the main course. When it arrived, I thought it was pretty and the bread that came with it was for sure extremely good bread. But my friends, when I took my first bite, I just almost fell off my chair. It is by far the BEST pâté I have ever tasted. It was gone way too fast. It melted right off in my mouth. I savored every bit. It was light, exquisite, the aromas so subtil, especially with the fresh fig in the center. Amazing.  I just can't get over it.

After this amazing starter, I was just so excited. I thought: "It is my new favorite restaurant". As my main course, I ordered Roasted Cod with Jerusalem artichokes, Granny apple and Beurre Blanc Sauce (butter sauce). The visual is amazing but I was really disappointed by the taste. It was okay but too blend, uninteresting. I was confused. How can someone make such an amazing Dish and then such a boring one right after? I decided that I needed to give him another chance because truly, my pâté en croûte was out of this world. So I'll let you know when I go back or maybe you can let me know what you think of it when you go. I mean it was mega packed when I left so maybe it is an exception and I truly feel he could surprise me again. To be followed...

Galerie VU

Métro: Line 12  Trinité-Estienne d'Orves

Address: 58, rue Saint Lazare, 75009 Paris

Hours: Thursday to Friday- 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm
            Saturday - 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Price: Free
Website: https://galerievu.com/

Not too far from the infamous train station Saint-Lazare, you will find Galerie VU. As soon as you pass the porch, it is full of colors from the ceiling to the walls and the result is quite unusual for the neighborhood.

Then you pass the porch to discover a lovely court, with majestic white wall and a beautiful tower which resembles a little castle. I really loved the paved path and the fountain which is guarded by two gorgeous steel horses.

As you enter the gallery, a small boutique filled with books, an imposing piano and of course the mysterious art pieces greet you, like you just walked into someone's fancy' living room. Galery Vu specializes in modern photography. I did not care much for the current exhibit but I have truly enjoyed previous ones. Prior to your visit, you can check online what is currently being shown. In all cases, it's a nice little escape from the busy boulevard and a very romantic courtyard.

Marché Saxe-Breteuil

Métro: Line 10  Ségur

Bus: Line 28 Breteuil

Address: Avenue de Saxe, 75007 Paris
Hours: Thursday - 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
            Saturday - 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Website: https://www.paris.fr/equipements/marche-saxe-breteuil-5468

I just love outdoor farmer's markets everywhere around the world but my favorites are the French ones. The colors, smells and variety are just a bliss. The marché de Saxe Breteuil is one of my favorites in Paris. First the view, hello Eiffel Tower. Second it's a calm, very non touristy. I have to say that I often prefer the ones in the countryside because it's often the farmers themselves at the stand. In Paris, you often have wholesalers but the charm remains the same. I love the flower stands and just observing the locals meet and greet. It's fun and hard not to buy a few things especially if you like good food and cooking. Anyway, you can tell that I love it because I took a billion pictures.

Alléosse

Métro: Line 2  Ternes

Bus: Line 43 Ternes

        Line 341 or 92 Ternes -Mac Mahon

Address: 13, rue Poncelet, 75017 Paris
Price: Starting at 3 euros
Website: https://fromage-alleosse.com/en/

Cheese, Wine and Bread! That's what France is known for.  And France is so wonderful for that because there is over 1 200 different types of cheeses. Yep, it's the work of a lifetime to try them all. I definitely have a thing for goat cheese. And there is nothing better than going to a cheese master. Their job is to master the maturing of cheeses. It takes years of experience before you can become one. Alléosse is one of these institutions.

You will be greeted with a huge smile and they gave me great advice. Whether you're ignorant in the matter or a great expert, you will be treated with kindness. They are definitely passionate about their cheeses.

I went for a Cabécou. It's made with unpasteurized goat milk. It's fruity yet mild enough that you will probably finish it all in one setting. Mine costs 3.20 euros. Well worth it.

A side note on bread, contrary to the stereotype, French people do not really eat a lot of baguettes. We actually eat a look alike bread called "Tradition" or often called "tradi". A baguette has a thicker crust, is noticeably dry and more salty. A tradi takes longer to rise and is more digestible. Also the law (yep there are laws concerning French bread) forbids any use of additives in a Tradition but not in a Baguette. A lot of baguettes in Paris are frozen to start with but once again the law forbids that a baker freezes a tradition. So even though a tradition is 20 cents more expensive, it is well worth it. The only time I buy a baguette is when we want to go feed the ducks at the park. So beware, if you order a baguette, everyone will know you're a tourist! ;)

StreetArt: Marché des Batignolles

Métro: Line 13  Brochant

TER train: Line L, Pont Cardinet

Bus: Line Batigno Marché des Batignolles
Address: 31 rue des Moines, 75017 Paris
Price: Free
Website: https://www.paris.fr/equipements/marche-couvert-batignolles-5517

On the walls of the covered market of the Batignolles, you can admire the work of street artists: Seth, Pastel FD, Ratur and Jaw. If you want to see them well, I suggest going on a Monday when the market is closed. Enjoy!