A Cooking Class and Observations of a Paris Tourist

During Matt’s conference today, Maria and I went to a cooking class. 

Choux means “puff dough”.  We were the only two in the class, there were supposed to be two others, but they cancelled last minute.  Since they had prepared for that already, we benefited and got to do two extras:  the choquettes (sweet) and gougeres (savory).  Chantilly means “whipped cream PLUS flavoring” like sugar and/or vanilla.  Ours had both.

We had the best time. 

Top 3 bowls: Chouquettes, Gourgeres, Gourgeres

2nd row: blue plate: Choux Chantilly, white plate: Chocolat Eclairs, white plate: Raspberry Paris-Brest, blue plate: Chocolat and Raspberry Paris-Brest

Front row: 1st white plate: Raspberry Paris-Brest, middle white plate: Choux Chantilly, last plate: Chocolat Eclairs.

It was pretty easy. A lot of steps, none of them difficult.  The one thing that surprised me was that you measure the eggs in grams verses number of eggs like we normally do. But it has to be precise! Don’t worry - I took notes. Thanks for the little notebook, Mom!

All the joy!

Now what do you do with 3 ginormous bags of pastries. Well, you give two of them to the hotel workers. Sharing is caring!

Since we saw the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees yesterday, we had the rest of the day free.  We met up with Matt for lunch.  We saw this near our hotel on the way home from the cooking class and it is near the hotel. I mean, we had to try it!  It's called Le Courcelles and it was awesome!

Can you even??

Then I decided now would be a good time to do my perfume shopping.  I had a couple of places in mind and Maria wanted to go.  Matt stayed back for a coffee and off we went! The first place is this cute little shop: Rose Desgranges.  I read a travel blogger say it was a hidden gem! And boy, was it! They used to only sell one fragrance - a formula made in the 1940s by a guy for his finance, Rose, as an engagement gift. So romantic! About 5 years ago, they created a scent for men. You can read more about it here:  https://rosedesgranges.com/en

I knew I was either going to love or hate it. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do.  You can smell all of the main ingredients separately while there.

This store entrance!  The photo shows almost the whole shop. Tiny but charming.

The 2nd place we went to was Fragonard.  Very popular place!  I would have been in and out, but it took me a bit to find some help from someone who spoke English. Once I did, I found two scents (one called Fragonard, and the other called Fleur d’Oranger Intense), and a nice hand crème.  It was worth the trip.  And for having a down day to relax, I walked over 12,000 steps!!

Coffee shop we passed during our travels today. Good News INDEED!

And now onto my observations.  In no particular order:

These photo booths are EVERYWHERE in the metro stations. I thought, “Wow, Paris tourists really love their fair photo booths!” But…they are for the Navigo pass - you have to have a picture for it.  It’s the card that lets you travel on the metro, train and bus system unlimited. You pay for a week at a time.  We have already used it plenty!!! 

This city is very easy to navigate. Thankfully! Bathrooms are available - contrary to what I read about.  But most are downstairs.  Everything is tiny.  Tiny chairs, tiny tables, tiny water glasses (a smidge bigger than a shot glass), tiny cups of coffee.  I miss ice and air conditioning (though my hotel room is air conditioned, whew!)  I read where you should dress a certain way (black, grey, white, scarves, etc.) and I have yet to see a "french style".  I'm so glad I don't care about these things. Comfy wins!

I love the vibe - waiters leave you alone, its very chill.  I LOVE that. We went back to our neighbor cafe and sat (in the spot where we knew we wouldn’t have to move).  The screaming lady was back, but not screaming.  Maria tried to give her our leftovers, but she said no.  We tried!  I really love the chill atmosphere, but I have found that when I want to leave, I’m ready to leave.  Then you have to wait for when the server feels like coming over.  HAHA

Cars just park anywhere, including sidewalks.  Except when there are these:

Watch out for these when walking on sidewalks!

Everyone has been SOOO nice.  I read so many times that Parisians hate Americans, but I haven’t found any.  Well, maybe the bus driver that shut the door on my butt because I took too long trying to figure out where to scan my Navigo pass.  He looked at me like,”Well - hurry it up!” HAHAHA. 

I could live here.