Walnut (and chestnut) Wednesday

 

Bins of walnuts and chestnuts at the Christmas market on Place des Abbesses.

Marronnier Monday

A marronnier is a chestnut tree and now is the best time to get out and gather.

 Below: chestnuts ready to fall; chestnuts scattered beneath trees

 

 

 

 

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Forageable forests around Paris:

Forêt de Rambouillet
wild boar and hare; several species of deer large/small

Forêt de Marly-le-Roi
numerous species of chestnut trees

Forêt de Bois-d'Arcy

Forêt de Meudon

Fôret de la Grange

Forêt de Montmorency

Bois de Vincennes

Fôret de la Grange

Fôret de Malmaison

Marché de Noël

 Today is the last day to visit this magical artisan Christmas market in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Above: stalls selling everything from toasted marrons and macarons to arts and crafts

Below: hot soups by the bol; Santa spotting on a nearby corner

 

Square René-Viviani
79 rue Galande 75005

Deck the hall

Paris' main town hall, l'Hôtel de Ville, ready for the holidays. 

Below: chestnuts roasting on an open square; Christmas market

Marrons glacés

With icy cold weather this small chestnuts-chocolat-chaud stand is like a mirage at the top of the butte.

 

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- In front of l'Église Saint-Pierre -

Chestnut season

'Tis the season... of roasted chestnuts.

Above: hand-warming marrons a.k.a. châtaignes at an outdoor market on the Left Bank

Monday: more marrons

Marron Man

 

Freshly roasted chestnuts heat up a cold December evening.

Bûches de Noël

Traditional Yule Log cakes along with candied chestnuts are starting to fill bakers' shelves.