We spent part of our last day in Paris on the Champs Elysee. It is probably one of the world's most famous avenues and happens to be the last leg of the Tour de France. It also hosts a Starbucks, McDonald's and Disney Store. I wondered if I was back in the U.S. for a second ... and then shrugged my shoulders and SPRINTED to the 'bucks for the largest iced coffee France has ever seen. And it was DELICIOUS.
The Arc de Triomphe rests at one end. Rest actually may not be the right word. Twelve avenues enter into the traffic circle that surrounds the arc. In a word? Chaos. There is a tunnel that goes underground so pedestrians can get to the Arc safely. Somehow I don't know that was what Napoleon had in mind when he commissioned the piece in honor of his new bride ...
And where the Arc is beautiful, Mrs. Bob and I had one thing on our minds. Laduree and their famous macaroons.
I had only known macaroons as coconut cookies prior to my trip to Paris. However, in France, macaroons are light sandwich cookies sent directly from heaven.
They're top secret and I got tsk'd tsk'd at when I attempted to take a photo. So I took cover in the Jardin du Luxembourg, looked over my shoulder to make sure there were no pastry police and started snapping away.
First of all ... please. Look at the cute little box they come in.
When you open the box it's very easy to get tempted by a caramel macaroon before you remember you're supposed to be taking pictures for your bloggy friends.
Hello lovlies ...
I sat on a bench, happily munching away, smiling at a work truck that had a baguette on the dashboard, people stopping for picnics, school children in uniforms riding scooters and playing on the jungle gyms.
Paris, you sure know how to live.
Later that evening I wrote in my journal. Where everything had been incredible, the following were SSG highlights:
Evening boat rides.
Corner bakeries.
Calling out "bonjour!" as you enter stores.
Croissants.
St. Germain.
Macaroons.
The Eiffel Tower.
Cracking up and running across the Champs Elysee.
Sidewalk cafes.
Stylish men and women.
Museums.
Parks.
Wine.
Paris.
Next up? PROVENCE.
4 comments:
Those macaroons look so good and they are so beautiful. They do seem sent from heaven. Can't wait to see Provence!
Ohhhh, even the treats in Paris are ART! Ahhh, I can even taste them from here! How on earth did you have the strength to take the photo before diving into those cookies? If only the computer was "scratch and sniff"........
I am sooooo jealous...
I just want to know one thing, and I AM NOT trying to bring you down, but I just gotta know. How much weight have you gained since you've been there? Cause cutie, I would have packed on at least 10 lbs.
@ Belladella - The macaroons tasted as good as they looked! And I found some in Portland!
@ Wah-dah-tay - Um, I MIGHT have dug into one of the macaroons before I remembered to take the picture. ALLEGEDLY.
@ Halfasstic - We did so much walking that if anything I lost weight over there! Everything is much smaller ... plates, glasses, pastries ... and yes, people too!
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