Café at a slant

 

 A café terrace from a stairway.

Sign of the times

 

 

Large mural of a runny nose on the side of a building next to the Canal Saint-Martin.

Paris by the sea #5

The end of the île.

 

Above: a stone pier ends in the sea; marmites of ultra fresh moules and prawn cocktails; view from our table

Below: interconnected courtyards of hotel; last breakfast before heading home

Paris by the sea #4

Since last week when I began posting photos of île de Ré there's been a surge in my visitor stats, mostly from the U.S., which tells me that perhaps travel is at the forefront of many minds right now. We're praying that restrictions will soon be lifted but here in France there's been another kind of surge: coronavirus cases - the dreaded deuxième vague? - meaning that for us too, travel to foreign soils or even within France may become unlikely again for who knows how long. However I thank you for your visits and will continue to post, all the while hoping to see you in Paris in the (near) future! - BPJ

Above: on a small street inside the village of Ars-en-Ré; local church dating to the Middle Ages w/its landmark black and white steeple and snow white entryway

Below: spices entice from a market stall; Pineau des Charentes, the region's signature apéritif mingles w/French wines, beers and cognacs; local fresh oysters for lunch

 

Paris by the sea #3

 

In the evening we'd join locals at a popular meeting spot where apéros are brought out on wooden planks specially made to grip the sea wall.

 

Above: pichet of icy rosé w/panoramic view

 

Below: seafood rillettes starter with more rosé at the wall; after, steamed prawns w/frites maison on the terrace; rent-a-bikes at La Flotte

 

 ***

Next week: more Île de Ré

Paris by the sea #2

 

 Above: seagull en contre-jour; salt marshes just before sunset

Below: local fleur de sel for sale at a village market stall; butters sans sel, demi-sel and w/salt crystals from the island

 

Paris by the sea #1

La Flotte, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Ars-en-Ré, Les Ports-en-Ré, Loix... Just some of the villages that dot this island.

 

 Above: a harbor just after daybreak; seaside coffees w/pastries on a brisk morning

 

Below: mix of photos; bicycles, best way to get around