Odette

Métro: Saint Michel (line 4) or Cluny-La Sorbonne (line 10)
RER B and C: St-Michel Notre Dame
Address: 77 Rue Galande, 75005 Paris
Hours: Everyday from 10:30am to 7:30pm
Price: 1.90 euros per cream puff
Website: http://www.odette-paris.com/
 

It all started with an IT guy and his grandma. Yep, I know that's so not what you expected to read on my blog. Well Odette was a typical French grandma who would bake delicious cream puffs for her grandchildren. Frédéric Berty is like every French person: Nostalgic. So he decided to drop his IT career and open this little shop/ Tea Room.

First of all, I love the street it is on with the old church in the corner, the cobble stones and the beautiful tree on the side. I love the charm of its building and the incredible view on Notre Dame. Then comes the food. I have to be honest, it's probably not the most jaw dropping puffs I ate but they were still enjoyed and eaten. My favorite flavors: chocolate, caramel, pralines and vanilla. I found the berry one pretty disgusting actually, tasted more like chemicals than anything else. Lemon was okay. But once again the spot makes all the charm of this place. I could seat there hours drinking my hot chocolate and enjoying the sun rays caressing my face while admiring Notre Dame, plus it's a pretty quiet spot as well. What else to ask for?

Maison Pou

Métro: Ternes (line 2)
Address: 16, avenue des Ternes, 75017 Paris
Hours:Monday- Friday 9:30 am to 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Closed on Sunday
Website: http://www.maisonpou.com/
 

 

You want to know what French food is really about? You might think that caterers are only good for weddings, but in France, caterers are an everyday stop. Maison Pou is one of those institutions that are delighting locals. It's no tourist trap. You will find anyone from the little neighborhood grandpa and grandma to the busy businessman. Founded in 1830, Maison Pou won many first prize for their delicatessen products. They do everything from a simple salad to a delicate chocolate cake. I've stopped there many times and I have never eaten anything that I do not truly like. My personal addiction is their individual pizza (3.50 euros) which has nothing to do with the traditional pizza we all know. No, it's more like a tart made with a tomato compote which is to die for. Their quiche is also really good or their Greek salad. Their desserts are good but not their strongest point. It's quite affordable if you take the individual portions ( about 4 euros for a gourmet dish like quiche or pizza, count 5 euros for dessert) but careful when you buy by the weight. Prices take off real fast. Word of caution: no credit card under 10 euros and better get there early, there is a line everyday starting 11:30 am.

Deyrolle

Métro: Rue du Bac (line 12)
Address: 46 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris
Hours:Monday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 7:00pm
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Closed on Sunday
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.deyrolle.com/
 

I must admit that conserving dead things is not one of my passions. Ever more I tend to stay away from all that taxidermy thing. Like me, you probably had to visit the local university's natural science museum which smells like a good old dumpster dive. Are you feeling that chill? Anyway I've read long time ago about Deyrolle. Created in 1831, it's reknown all over the world for its insects collections, taxidermy skills and educational materials. But that still did not sell the deal to me. Why would I want to go there. I'd rather go to the Louvre. One day, I'm walking by rue du Bac for some due shopping spree and this shop catches my eyes. It sells pretty things like books and gardening tools. I love pretty things so I go in. It smells good and I just want to buy about everything. They have an inviting staircase to the second floor so I follow the trail to Ali baba's cave only to find myself next to a giant peacock and a billion butterflies. Flashback goes through my head. I'm in Deyrolle. Wow, it's nothing like I had pictured. It's truly beautiful. Rooms upon rooms of magnificent creatures from the smallest insect to a fairly large bear. And wait until you put your eyes on their posters section! I literally spent an hour looking at them. I couldn't take pictures inside the store but check out their website's photo section to get a better idea. Hey, plus you can avoid the hour long wait to the Natural Science museum and show your kids some cool stuff for free while you get some shopping done! Forget about your misconceptions, taxidermy is so in these days!