Window Wednesday

 

 

Spirits on display as a backdrop to sidewalk seating. 

Tchin tchin Tuesday

 

An early evening apéro at a local café. 

Sipping Sunday

A pre-lunch apéritif.

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Happy Sunday

Sunday sipping

Soaking in Montmartre charm where stairways are often a backdrop. 

 

Window Wednesday

 

When gathering round a windowsill for an evening apéro makes sense.

 

Travel Tuesday

 

Atmospheric villages and towns on the French Atlantic coast are easily reachable from Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dotted with charming port villages and islands, the Poitou-Charentes and Brittany regions make for kicked-back and beautiful seaside séjours not that far from Paris. Bursting with quality restaurants (many specialize in local oysters, seafood, and sharing apéritifs), relaxed (or bustling) cafés, open-air markets and kilometers of sandy beaches for those reflective sunset walks by the sea, there is something for everyone. Though driving from Paris is an option, taking a high-speed train from Gare Montparnasse then renting a car upon arrival has become increasingly popular. Frequent daily trains and affordable tickets and car rentals make a multi-day escape convenient and appealing. Enjoy! - BPJ

 

 Below: a list of notable destinations accessible by train from Gare Montparnasse, often with a rental car or local transportation at the station for the final leg

 

1. La Rochelle
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
   • Highlights: A historic port city with vibrant markets, medieval towers, and access to nearby Île de Ré, a picturesque island known for its beaches, cycling paths, and quaint villages like Saint-Martin-de-Ré and La Flotte, where busy bistros contrast with tranquil havens where you can linger over local Pineau des Charantes in peace.
     
   • Car Rental: Available at La Rochelle station for exploring nearby islands or coastal areas.
2. Saint-Malo
   • Train Details: TGV to Rennes (approx. 2 hours), then a regional train to Saint-Malo (45 minutes).
   • Highlights: A fortified coastal town in Brittany with dramatic tides, historic ramparts, and access to nearby islands like Jersey or Guernsey.
   • Car Rental: Available in Rennes or Saint-Malo for exploring the rugged Breton coast.
3. Quiberon
   • Train Details: TGV to Auray (approx. 2.5–3 hours), then a local train or 20-minute drive to Quiberon.
   • Highlights: A scenic peninsula in Brittany with wild beaches, coastal trails, and access to Belle-Île-en-Mer, a stunning island with charming villages and cliffs.
   • Car Rental: Available at Auray for easier access to the peninsula and ferries.
4. Biarritz
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 4–4.5 hours).
   • Highlights: A glamorous surf town in the French Basque Country with iconic beaches, upscale dining, and proximity to charming villages like Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
   • Car Rental: Available at Biarritz station for exploring the Basque coast.
5. Nantes (for nearby coastal areas)
   • Train Details: Direct TGV from Gare Montparnasse (approx. 2 hours).
   • Highlights: While Nantes itself is inland, it’s a jumping-off point to nearby coastal destinations like La Baule, a chic resort town with a long sandy beach (45-minute drive from Nantes).
   • Car Rental: Available at Nantes station for coastal day trips.

Also:

• Train Tickets: Book via SNCF (www.sncf-connect.com) (www.sncf-connect.com) for the best rates, especially for TGVs, which can be affordable if reserved early.
• Car Rentals: Most stations (e.g., La Rochelle, Biarritz, Rennes) have rental agencies like Europcar, Hertz, or Avis. Booking in advance is essential.
• Travel Tip: For islands like Île de Ré or Belle-Île, ferries or local buses complement car rentals for seamless exploration.
   
   

  

  
  
  
  
  

Wine Wednesday

 

 

An apéro spread to accompany the wine, not the other way around.

 

Thirsty Thursday

 

A barman prepares cocktails for an evening apéro.

Wine Wednesday

 

 

Evening apéro outside a small Italian traiteur in Montmartre.

Above: La Vie en Rosé

 

Sit-down Saturday

 

Wine barrel tables at a favorite Left Bank French tapas wine bar.

Below: a summer apéro finished off w/riz au lait (creamy rice pudding) made w/vanilla bean and topped w/dried raspberry petals, dessert du jour

 

 

  L'Avant Comptoir du Marché

 

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Merci Yves Camdeborde

Green Fairy Friday

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.

 

Above: at the counter of historic Montmartre café/bar Au Rêve

 

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Dubbed "The Green Fairy" due to its supposed hallucinogenic effects and re-legalized in 2011, absinthe is often associated with artists,writers and as a preferred apéritif of Vincent Van Gogh.

Wine Wednesday

 Midweek apéro of charcuteries and cheeses from Spain and France separated by a vibrant red from Portugal.

 

Wine Wednesday

 

A market stall stocked with Medovina, a sweet mead, Czech in origin, made from honey and apple cider.

 

Fish Friday

 

Smoked salmon atop avocado tartines are front and center for a Friday evening apéro - but first, a couple of Pimms, French style. 

Le Fumoir - off rue de Rivoli near Louvre Museum

 

 

Sit-down Saturday

 

Beautiful weather means tables on sidewalks, streets and squares.

 

Bonne Année

 

The evening began with an intimate champagne apèro.

- Bonne Année / Happy New Year 2024 -

 

🎉

 

 

 

 

Throwback Thursday

 

Warmer days on the lively sidewalk terrace of La Palette café.

 

Wine Wednesday

 

Steamed prawns and a crisp Château Le Puy Rose-Marie (Bordeaux) at a Marais wine bar.

 

Welcome back Wednesday

 

 

Good weather prompts an impromptu apéro in Montmartre among friends.

 

Wine Wednesday

 

A bartender concentrates as he pours with precision.