Monthly Archives: April 2012

Le Pont des Arts

Posted on by
Reply

Love locks on the pont des Arts

For a panoramic view of Paris, come stand on the pont des Arts. Also called “la passerelle des Arts,” (the footbridge of the arts) the bridge serves as a link between the Institute of France and the Louvre, with a breathtaking view of pont Neuf and Notre Dame Cathedral to the east and the Eiffel tower to the west.

History

Where the pont des Arts stands today, a nine arch footbridge was constructed between 1801 and 1804 under the orders of Napoleon I. Of English design, this was the first metal bridge in Paris. Engineers Louis-Alexandre de Cessart and Jacques Dillon intended for the bridge to resemble a garden with flower beds, trees and benches.

In 1976, the Bridge and Causeway Inspector noticed damage to the bridge caused by bombings from both world wars, as well as several boat crashes. The bridge was closed to circulation in 1977 and collapsed 60 meters after another boat collision.

The current pont des Arts was reconstructed between 1981 and 1984 in a manner identical to the original bridge, except for the reduction from nine to seven arches in order to align with pont Neuf. It was inaugurated in June 1984 by then mayor of Paris Jacques Chirac.

Today

Currently, le pont des Arts is a popular hangout for photographers, painters and lovers due to its romantic cityscape. You will also notice thousands of cadenas d’amour, or lover’s padlocks attached across the span of the bridge’s railings. Couples from all over the world come to write their initials on a lock along with the year, attach it to the bridge and throw the key into the Seine.

Le pont des Arts has appeared in many famous films such as Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (or simply Amélie as it was released in the U.S.), The Bourne Identity, and the last episode of Sex and the City.

After you’ve finished admiring the scenery, walk south along the rue de Seine in the 6th arrondissement, passing art galleries and the former apartments of famous French people such as writer Georges Sand. At number 43 rue de Seine, stop in at La Palette, a 1930’s and 40’s style bistro for a drink or a bite to eat. Once frequented by the likes of Cézanne, Picasso, Hemmingway and Jim Morrison, the café is now frequented by local artists and students as well as celebrities such as Harrison Ford and Julia Roberts. Keep your eye out!

 

References:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_des_Arts

http://www.cafelapaletteparis.com/

 

© 2012 Pasa’s Paris

Picnic in le Jardin des plantes

Posted on by
1

Le Jardin des plantes via hotels Paris rive gauche

On a sunny day in Paris, head over to the Jardin des plantes for a leisurely stroll and a picnic. Take the metro to Jussieu and pick up a sandwich from one of the many shops located near place Jussieu. Thanks to the Université de Paris et Marie Curie being right around the corner, there is ample choice for an inexpensive lunch.

Follow rue Jussieu or rue Linné south until you reach a garden entrance. The carrés de la perspective, a long walkway running the length of the garden with lawns and trees interspersed, is a nice place to sit and each a sandwich. Next to this promenade is the Museum of Natural History, with sections on paleontology, mineralogy, entomology and evolution.

Once finished picnicking, meander through the Botanical School Garden, the Alpine Garden with over 2,000 species of alpine plants, the Rose Garden, the Labyrinth, or any other of the eleven lovely gardens planted on this twenty-eight hectare piece of land.

A bit of History

In 1635, the doctor of Louis XIII, Guy de la Brosse, planted a medicinal herb garden for the king known as the Jardin du roi. It was opened to the public in 1650.

Later, John Baptiste Colbert became the garden administrator and hired Dr. Guy Crescent Fagon in 1693 to work with talented botanists in order to add variety to the gardens.

In 1739, when responsibility for the garden was turned over to the Comte de Buffon, he greatly extended the garden and created the Labyrinth that still exists today.

 

Le Jardin des plantes

5 rue Linné

75005

Metro : Jussieu

 

References:

 

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/jardindesplantes.htm

 

http://www.jardindesplantes.net/un-jardin-botanique/un-jardin-botanique

 

© 2012 Pasa’s Paris

 

Lentil and Vegetable Stew

Posted on by
6

Lentil stew, perfect for a rainy evening at home

With so many rainy days in Paris, a hearty soup is the perfect thing for dinner. Although no match for my grandmother’s delicious lentil soup, I enjoy making this stew whose recipe I found on epicurious.com. Since kale (chou frisé) is impossible to find in Paris (for me, anyway) I substitute with Asian cabbage or spinach. I also use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth which I think gives it more flavor.

Makes 8 bowls of soup, takes 1 to 1 ½ hours, depending on how fast you chop.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots (8 to 9 ounces), peeled, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
  • 1 medium celery root (celeriac), peeled, chopped (3 cups)
  • 1 medium rutabaga, peeled, chopped (2 cups)
  • 1 pound brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
  • 8 cups (or more) vegetable broth
  • 1 large bunch kale (about 9 ounces), ribs removed, leaves coarsely chopped

Preparation:

Heat oil in large pot over high heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients; sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to soften and brown, 10 to 11 minutes. Stir in lentils and herbes de provence. Add broth and kale. Bring to boil, stirring to incorporate kale. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid slightly ajar, and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add more broth to thin, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.

It takes me a while to chop everything up, but the results are very tasty. I ask my husband to pick up a fresh baguette from the corner boulangerie on his way home from work, and we’ve got dinner for 2 for only about 6 euros, plus I eat the leftovers for lunch for a couple days after.

Bon appétit!

 

Ladurée Macarons

Posted on by
1

The chic boutique via laduree.fr

As with the cupcake in the US, macarons are all the rage in France these days. This isn’t the hearty American coconut cookie with a similar name, the macaroon, but an airy, meringue-like cookie sandwiched in twos by a layer of ganache. Macarons are brightly colored and come in all different flavors, from lemon to violet, caramel to coffee.

These dainty delicacies are now available in other European countries as well, and seem to be popping up all across America. However, if you find yourself in Paris, you will be dangerously near to the original creator of these mouthwatering treats, Ladurée.

According to the Ladurée website, in 1862 Louis Ernest Ladurée opened a bakery at16 rue Royale in Paris. After being damaged by a fire in 1871, Ladurée decided to turn the bakery into a pastry shop. Ladurée’s wife, Jeanne Souchard, later had the idea to combine a café and pastry shop into one establishment, opening one of the first tea salons in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century. With her modern creation, Jeanne enabled Parisian women to socialize in public once the literary salons had fallen out of fashion, at a time when cafes where strictly a man’s domain. This location is still open today.

The macarons that came home with us

The modern macaron, two macaron shells joined together by ganache, was thought up by Pierre Desfontaines, Ladurée’s second cousin, around the time their tea salon was first established. With a crispy exterior and creamy soft interior, Ladurée macarons are still widely celebrated today.

Each Paris location has an exquisite interior design, where you can visit their elegant tea salons or purchase macarons or other pastries from their retail boutiques.

My husband and I recently went to the Bonaparte Ladurée in the 6th arrondissement and purchased a box of 15 macarons. Our favorite flavors are chocolate, vanilla, coffee and blackcurrant violet. We recommend picking up a bottle of Prosecco (or champagne, of course) from your neighborhood Nicolas for a perfect pairing of airy sweetness and bubbly acidity.

 

Ladurée

 

http://www.laduree.fr/

 

Locations:

 

http://www.laduree.fr/en/maisons/adresses

 

© 2012 Pasa’s Paris

 

 

Picard: Delicious Frozen Food in France

Posted on by
4

Mediterrannean Paella from Picard

Frozen food in America has not enjoyed the greatest reputation. I think back to the days of my childhood when I looked forward to Friday nights when I had the privilege of heating up a Kid Cuisine meal for dinner. This was a plate of frozen chicken nuggets, corn and chocolate pudding with sprinkles separated by plastic compartments. Yummmm, right? I’m sure my eight year old self did not care what it tasted like: it was fun!

These days, though, Americans seem to have their pick of natural frozen foods, from Trader Joe’s marinated Ahi tuna steaks to Amy’s organic burritos. France also has its share of high quality frozen food, and you can find it all in one place: Picard.

Picard is the place to go for frozen meals in France. The prices are reasonable, there are locations everywhere, and the food actually tastes fresh. In my opinion, Picard frozen food is a step above any frozen food I have had in the U.S. This is why the French will even serve it at a party. It’s that good.

The French, as we all know, are especially talented at making delicious food. How do Picard’s frozen products taste so great? According to Picard’s website, each product, whether it is fish, meat, vegetables, fruits or grains, is selected from the best possible geographic zone and flash-frozen exactly at its peak of ripeness or freshness. The flash-freezing process preserves the cellular structure of the food so that taste, texture and appearance remain the same. No additives, preservatives (conservateur in French, attention!) or stabilizers are added to the product. The freezers in the store are kept at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) to ensure the food stays fresh.

Picard vanilla ice cream and caramel filled chocolate eggs

As someone who has a Picard two steps from their apartment, I definitely take advantage of the situation. For lunch, I might have spicy green coconut curry with chicken and rice for 4 euros, or treat myself to some authentic couscous for 2 euros a serving. Picard makes a large selection of tasty single serving entrees for only 2 euros each.

For dinner, my husband and I often enjoy Mediterranean Paella with chicken and seafood for under 7 euros. For a special Easter dessert, we tried Picard’s milk chocolate eggs filled with vanilla ice cream and caramel, less than 4 euros for 4 eggs. Needless to say, they were scrumptious.

Next time you’re in France and have access to a microwave or an oven, surprise your taste buds and stop by Picard to pick up a cheap gourmet meal. You’ll never look at frozen food the same again.

 

Picard frozen foods

http://www.picard.fr/

© 2012 Pasa’s Paris