Back side

A small refreshing garden behind Notre-Dame Cathedral.

- This is a free public wi-fi zone -

Gainsbourg house

Wall at Serge Gainsbourg's house covered in graffiti by fans.

Tableware

Exquisite contemporary tableware set off by a minimalist interior in a Left Bank gallery-shop.

Muriel Grateau

37 rue de Beaune 75007

Summer boots

Extra soft tie-dyed lambskin for walking in the city.

Jérôme Dreyfuss Left Bank

4 rue Jacob 75006

A baker's dozen

 

 

 A courtyard conceals beautiful homemade brunches, lunches, buttermilk biscuits (a specialty), pies, nibbles, coffees, teas and creative summer drinks. And it's run by a lovely American.

Treize Bakery

16 rue des Saints-Pères 75007

A chef for all seasons

Stéphane Jégo, will you please move in with us?

Above: Two Starters
- Savory grilled seasonal vegetables
- All-you-can-devour terrine maison

***

Soon in The Good Life France:
 

A Soup For All Seasons:
Stéphane Jégo's Life-Altering Parmesan Cheese Soup

Chez L'Ami Jean
27 rue Malar 75007 Paris

 

***

 

 Merci chef!

Cherchez la femme

A new film has as its title an age-old French adage, cherchez la femme: no matter what the problem, there's usually a woman behind it!

Ice cream parler

Ice cream sculptures in a display case in a Magnum shop window glisten like jewelry.

Fête de la Musique

Today as every year since 1982, live music will be on street corners, in squares, and pouring out of cafés and bars as the entire city is transformed into a giant stage. Pick a neighborhood and stroll.

(Most public transportation will be running all night)

- Search "Fête de la Musique 2017" online for programs -

 

Spritzing

Aperol Spritz, the light, fizzy Italian import that bullied the Mojito out as Paris' favorite summer terrace drink.

(See Nouveautés for recipe)

Street party

 

Packed terraces, live music, and spontaneous street parties signal summer has truly arrived.

Colors and textures

 

Window display of a boutique that sells fabrics on the Left Bank.

Tea al fresco

Late afternoon tea-and-scones French style on the gardens of an ancient church.

The Tea Caddy

14 rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre 75005

California dreamin'

"... So imagine being contacted by insatiable foodie friends from California, with whom you’ve shared many a stellar meal, announcing that they are returning to Paris (...) for five days of “extreme fooding” (...) and they’d love it if you (and French hubby as well) would join them?" 

 

Above: Asiago seaweed gougères at VERJUS; crunchy smoked fish cream-filled starter at DAVID TOUTAIN; obscene soufflés at Ducasse's CHAMPEAUX; a pre-dessert "surprise" at VERJUS...

 

***  

Thanks to one / all for your unwavering support as well as behind-the-scenes comments and input. Enjoy! - BPJ

 

California Dreamin': A Paris Restaurant Marathon

Pucking around

Roller hockey in full force on the Place Saint-Sulpice.

Baskets and cases

Shopping baskets, caddies and tote bags signal a market is nearby.

Extra fat, please

Extra gras (extra fat) was the selling point on these Camembert boxes from bygone days, the more the better.

 

Dignified

'
A statue of a lion sits upright outside the city's main town hall.

Dessert art

Ball of coconut cream atop passion fruit sponge cake.