One of the vendors at St-Paul-Village Brocante Market
We had seen signs and posters all around Paris about the upcoming brocante market in St-Paul Village, just south of the St-Paul metro stop on rue de Rivoli, where it changes to rue St-Antoine scheduled for Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 March. Â We decided to walk over to the market to check out what it might have. The market was small, but many of the regular St. Paul merchants had opened their ateliers and shops, so there were many things to see.
On the way there, we passed several home furnishings and accessories shops on rue de la Verrerie. And, I was surprised to see that enamelware is back in popularity in France! When Janice and I scoured the countryside looking for vintage enamelware it was hard to find. Now there is a whole new round of new enamelware out there. Â It will only take 25 years or so for it to become vintage again.
 Love the red and white enamelware! |
 Love these colors, too..... |
 The assorted tins covered every possible theme |
We left on a shopping quest looking for something special to take home to Richmond. We had seen one at the shop La Vassellerie on rue St-Antoine, but it was not in its original packaging and was soiled. So La Vassellerie has a shop on rue de Rennes and we hopped the Metro and headed there. Once we checked that store, we realized it was lunch time, so we stopped and had lunch: a salad paysanne! Â (Cafe du Metro) Then back on the Metro to check the shop at bd Haussman. Â And, guess what is right there as well!
Of course – Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Time to stock up on tights! Saturday is a horrible time to shop in France: everybody shops on Saturday, the stores are crowded, the temperature in the grand magasins is high, and Mike’s patience is short. Â We hopped Metro again and headed back to the apartment to drop off my purchases.
At Bianco, just down the block from our apartment, we enjoyed a cocktail during happy hour. I had a Kir Royal – my first of this trip. Â Service was so abominable we ended up spending two hours! Â The thermometer on the pharmacy across the street broadcast the temperature as 16 degrees C or 60.8 degrees F – at 8 PM! The young people around us smoked cigarette after cigarette and we decided to find out how much they pay for a pack: about 6 euros or almost $10. Doesn’t seem worth it to me! We noticed a label on each pack and I was not familiar with the word “tue.” Â The warning label in big labels was “Fumer Tue” or “Smoking Kills.” Obviously, the warning was insufficient to curb smoking among young adults in Paris – as evidenced by all the smoking in the cafes and bistros.
Once we finally obtained our check and paid it, we headed off to Au Bon Pecheur for moules and frites (better than Leon of Bruxelles and cheaper too) and before we knew it the day was over and it was time to head home and make plans for tomorrow!
During our travels, we passed a bakery with pistachio eclairs (check out the green ones in the photo!) Do you think they’re getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day? We also passed a confectionery with chocolate creations like this cute milk chocolate lady bug!
 A ladybug made of milk chocolate! Wish I could get it home in one piece..... |
 Look at the green eclair on the right - it's pistachio! |
