Thoughtful Thursday

 

A point to ponder at a Left Bank gallery vernissage.

 

Window Wednesday

 

Visually rich, high quality editions of coffee table books:  art, architecture, design, photography, pop culture.

 

Taschen

2 rue de Buci 75006

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.
   
   

  

  
  
  
  
  

Mocha Monday

Early coffee from a sleepy fishing village somewhere on the French Atlantic coast.

 

Savory Saturday

 

 

Stepping into Le Procope, Paris’s oldest café founded in 1686 by Sicilian visionary Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, is stepping into a living museum of revolutionary ideas and literary brilliance. And it's a pretty fine restaurant too.

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Nestled in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this iconic spot was the beating heart of the Enlightenment, where Voltaire sipped his legendary 40 cups of coffee a day, Diderot penned Encyclopédie entries, and Benjamin Franklin hashed out alliances that shaped nations. Its walls, adorned with 1830s “Liberty Equality” wallpaper - and even one of Napoleon’s hats - echo the French Revolution’s fervor. This is where Robespierre and Danton conspired, and where the Phrygian cap of liberty made its debut. It became a hub for intellectuals like Voltaire and Rousseau, fostering Enlightenment ideas.

Today Le Procope serves up classic French dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon and Baba au Rhum (above) alongside a storied past, crystal chandeliers and wrought-iron balconies (listed as historical monuments), casting a spell over intellectuals, artists, and curious diners alike. - BPJ

 Below: upstairs, tables and rooms can be reserved for private groups

 

 

Le Procope 

13 rue de l'Ancienne Comédie 75006

 

Floral Friday

 

A spring day in the Jardin des Tuileries.

 

Window Wednesday

 

  

This stylish coffee shop housed at the entrance of the Galerie Richer, a former passage, is a standout with its soaring black wrought-iron glass portal, elegant old-world interior and high-quality, ethically sourced Arabica beans, roasted in-house at their Saint-Ouen atelier.

 

NOIR

33 rue Richer 75009