Paris' 21st arrondissement #2

 

Provençal-style markets, small fishing villages, local fleur de sel and fleur de sel goat cheeses.

 

On the nearby tiny island of Aix where no cars are allowed and access is solely by ferry a man makes his way down the main street.

 

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Getting there: 

By TGV train from Paris: leave early to La Rochelle (just 2 1/2 hours)

At La Rochelle rent a car and head to île de Ré, a 10-minute drive

 

By car from Paris: approximately 4 hours 

If driving, plan on spending at least one night

Paris' 21st arrondissement #1

 

Île de Ré in the Poitou-Charentes region is sometimes called "the 21st arrondissement of Paris" as many Parisians own second homes here.

Above: map showing the island's villages; old Port of La Rochelle; obligatory seaside moules-frites topped off by a glorious sunset

Market daze

Flowers, sausages, fresh produce, goose eggs, champagne... End of summer sees market streets back in full swing.

Flip side

A small well-kept garden behind the Musée Cognacq-Jay open to the public.

Quiet cool

Inner courtyards of former hôtel particuliers in the Marais district provide cool respite.

The original beignet

 

In France, beignets are small and round and not buried under mounds of powdered sugar like their US cousins.

 

Retro vintage

 

View onto Place du Marché-Sainte-Catherine from inside Ninon Retro, a petite boutique selling vintage clothing, accessories and objets.