Boulangépicier

Métro: Ternes or Courcelles (line 2)
Address: 73 boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
Hours:Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Closed on Sunday
Cost: 4-6 euros for a sandwich
Website: http://www.boulangepicier.com/

I have to say I am not a huge fan of what French people call the "Jambon beurre" which is the typical baguette sandwich made with ham and butter. But cool and good sandwiches can cost a fortune so it's refreshing to find an affordable sandwich shop with original and creative sandwiches. Well, refreshing but not surprising coming from world reknown French chef Alain Ducasse. Huge kuddos for the even prices, (4.00 or 4.50 euros- no nonsense 4.79) which really makes me happy because I hate carrying all that necessary change. And you can also pay with your credit card! Can you say: Miracle!!!!?

I ordered the "Brioche parisienne au thon" which is a very fancy tuna sandwich on a sweet bread. A bit small compared to other sandwiches in the shop but the price is right: 4.50 euros for this baby. It's not made from a tuna can, don't insult the chef but instead it is a pure joy in mouth. It's made with thin slices of tuna steak, beansprouts, coriander and a horseradish sauce. It's a sublime combination. I might have to go back and try the other sandwiches or the full lunch box.

Grande Mosquée de Paris

Métro: Place Monge (line 7) or Censier Daubenton (line 4)
Address: 2 bis place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005 Paris
Hours:Saturday -Thursday 9:00 am- 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Closed on Friday
Cost: 3 euros
Website: http://www.mosqueedeparis.net/

 

Can I just be honest for a second? I don't know if you have seen A Mighty Heart (2007) or Black Hawk Down (2001)? Well I have and I have been traumatized ever since. So when my husband said he wanted to visit the Middle East, I about died. I know this is stupid and everyone that I know who has been there absolutely loved it. I say to that: good for them. Me? I belong to Paris.

But I also learned that if you want to save your marriage you need to compromise (honestly not much of a compromise because I really wanted to go) so I offered to visit the mosque of Paris. We went by a few times before and the people are always so friendly and welcoming. We started a few conversations on the street which NEVER happens in Paris. I am a Christian but I never felt like anything was imposed on me and talking about religions seems to be the norm there. I keep very fond memories of the people we have met at the mosque.

Obviously this is a place for worship so you will need to be respectful and you won't be able to visit the prayer rooms or go in on Friday. But you can walk around this gorgeous place and for a second feel like you have just traveled hundreds of miles to a small paradise. And unlike us, I wish your visit in on a sunny day. It makes a huge difference.

 

The decision to build the Mosque of Paris is made after World War I to honor the 70,000 Muslims who lost their life fighting for France. It is the very mosque built in France. It is inspired by the El Qaraouiyyîn mosque in Fez in Morocco which is one of the oldest in the world. All the beautiful decoration are realized by specialized craftsmen from North Africa. The mosque also is known as a Resistance center during WWII. Their mission was to save British paras and find a hiding spot for them. Later they also hide Jewish families and procured them with fake papers. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

The garden is a real delight. The tiles are just amazing. I am just in awe with all the details and craftsmanship that went into creating this place.

I really had a great time but a word of caution. Don't eat at the restaurant! We used the bathroom next to the kitchen to find gigantic cockroaches on the floor. Not so cool.

Passage du Grand Cerf

Métro: Etienne Marcel (line 4)
Access: 145 rue Saint Denis, 75002 Paris
             8 rue Dussoubs, 75002 Paris
Hours:  Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.
               Closed on Sunday

 
It's one of my favorite passageways. It's really clean and filled with light, especially on a sunny day. I love walking through it especially on my way to Stohrer. Funny story behind it, it was built in the 1800's but was not profitable to a point that it became really run down. Now, it's home of a few fancy shops, which I dream I could afford to go into. There's one antique shop that I really like that sells doorknobs, and my sister is in love with the little haberdashery which sells amazing fabrics. Sadly, no little cute cafés to enjoy this lovely passageway.

 You can even pose with a male model! He's hot and he knows it!