French Favorites

Paris is a feast for the senses. Voilà mes préférés: J'aime...

…voir (to see):

• Children sailing toy boats in the fountains of the Luxembourg Gardens

• Over 2000 years of architecture ranging from the ancient Roman ruins in the Latin Quarter to the post-modern curiosities of La Défense

• The slate Mansard roofs, orange chimney pots, ornate limestone façades, and wrought iron balconies of Hausmannian apartment buildings (especially at night when the lights are on and I can steal a glimpse of the interiors)

• The sublime symmetry of la Place Vendôme, le Palais Royal, and la Place des Vosges

• Impressionist Art at the Musée d'Orsay & Monet's Waterlilies in the Orangerie

• The Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Louvre

• The 19th Century Paris department stores with their art nouveau escalators and elaborate glass domes: Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marché

• Parisians returning home from a long day at work, smiling, whistling, singing, stopping by a café for an appéro (Eric suggested this one; He was so impressed by this when he visited Paris!)

• Vintage Citroën 2CVs and Vespas

• Beautiful, artistic pastries that look almost too good to eat

• Pastel macarons chez Ladurée

• "Les Soldes" signs in January and July

• The window displays at Repetto on the Rue de la Paix

• The colorful fruits, vegetables, seafood, cheeses, flowers, etc. at the outdoor markets

• The perspective from the Arc de la Carrousel in the Tuileries to the Obelisk of Luxor at the Place de la Concorde, through the Arc de Triomphe to the Grande Arche de la Défense

• The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Tour Montparnasse, the Pompidou Centre escalator, the café au Printemps, the steps of the Sacré Coeur, the towers of Notre Dame...

…entendre (to hear):

• La Vie en Rose and other lovely (albeit a cliché) French standards played by street musicians

• Little children speaking French

• The "ding dang dong" of bells chiming in church towers around the city

• Carousel music at the manèges near the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel de Ville

• The Seine lapping against the sides of the river boats

• "Bonjour Madame!" and "Enchanté!"

…sentir (to smell):

• Freshly baked bread

• steaming crêpes

• Chanel N°5 at 31 rue Cambon

• Diptyque candles

• Gorgeous flowers at outdoor markets and fleuristes

• Old books in the bouquinistes along the Seine and at Shakespeare & Company

…goûter (to taste):

• Warm crème brûlée

• Café au lait for breakfast and un petit café (espresso) after a meal

• Croissants and pain au chocolat

• Galettes with gruyère

• Sandwiches on crunchy baguettes

• Soupe à l'oignon gratinée

• Un croque monsieur

• Lovely petits choux at Odette

• Moules frites (mussels with crisp, salty fries)

• Chocolat africain chez Angelina

• Lavender ice cream

• Wine: a bold Bordeaux, a bright rosé, a crisp Champagne, a kir royal

…toucher (to feel):

• A crusty baguette that leaves crumbs all over

• Silk Hermès scarves

• A happy puppy in a park (or a restaurant!) that begs for a pat on the head

• Rich lotions and creams from French pharmacies (La Roche-Posay, Vichy, Avène, Roger & Gallete)

• The warmth from the flame of a candle I lit for Mom and Dad at Notre Dame

• Cobblestones worn smooth by centuries of footsteps

What are your French favorites?