Walk around La Madeleine

There is large church in the centre of Place de la Madeleine, where local workers flock to sit in the sun and eat their lunch.

We slipped inside for a peek …. apparently the building underwent several changes of purpose while it was being built, but ended up a church named for Mary Magdalene.

The real purpose of our walk is to enjoy this little part of gourmet Paris. Of course sweets, cakes, macarons are easy to find, and in the most popular shops people jostle and crowd to purchase their favourites.

Window decorations are enticing, and I can imagine these shops supply just the thing for lovers and others seeking romantic gifts!

Just off the square there is La Maison du Miel, which has been in business since 1898, and boasts honeys from all over the world. We could have bought honeycomb from Hungary or New Zealand, but none from France, although of course there was a huge choice of French honeys.

Further along the street there is a famous Salon de The, a patisserie and vienoisserie. The baked goods being sold on the street did look delicious.

Here is the street looking back towards Place de la Madeleine, Rue Tronchet with shadey trees and wide footpaths. It seems wherever we are in Paris there is space and light.

Looking in the opposite direction you see Le Printemps main store, with gold and glamour to attract discerning customers.

Following a small street we found a little green square dedicated to Louis XVI, where more people sat on benches in the sun, eating salads and sandwiches.

Just over the pedestrian crosssing we found their source, and treated ourselves to a make-it-yourself salad of very fine ingredients. Stuart drew while we ate, admiring oriental dragons and their mates adorning the corner building.

Here are the female dragons … proudly busty!

You know I like lions, and a few steps further on I found a beauty

Soon we were back in gourmet territory, with caviar from Russia …

Fine teas, and suitable tea pots …

Truffles, including in pride of place a black truffle from Australia ….

We looked back on this little row of shops, thinking they represented the height of consumption and unsustainability, but somehow just a little of this extravagant fare is OK.

Next was the famous French mustard shop, Maille. I am sure most of you would have a small jar of dijon mustard made by them in your homes! Inside you could taste their many varied mustards, and I can confirm the dark one I tried with honey was very nice.

Another macaron store, and then in the midst of all that luxury and abundance, I noticed someone was camping in a closed off Metro stairway.

It is probably not the day to think of it, but perhaps in the future we will live in a more equitable world. Meanwhile I hope you enjoyed a little walk around the gourmet heart of Paris, where there are also many haute couture boutiques, and close to Place de la Concorde you can see the nightclub Maxims! Stuart did see a colourful checked jacket he quite liked, but though he should check the Op shops at home rather than going in to try it on!

You can see more walks today on Jo's site, so pop over if you would like another Monday Walk.

 

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