Seven Places to Propose Marriage in Paris
That AREN’T the Eiffel Tower – Part 2
By Lela Lake, Guest Blogger

November 8th, 2011
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We continue our report begun last Saturday on romantic spots for proposing marriage in Paris.

Aquarium

Aquarium de Paris Cinéaqua
Although typically a place for families, the recently remodeled subterranean Paris Aquarium has a certain appeal to romantics because of the stunning backdrop of the 43 aquariums, especially the “shark tunnel” that encourages deep snuggles while watching the monsters of the deep glide by just out of reach. Express your softer side by playing with the friendly sea creatures in the fresh water touch-pool and your brainy side by attending one of the informative talks while you’re building up your nerve for the moment of truth. The surrounding gardens provide a perfect place to stroll while, hopefully, you discuss future plans after your proposal has been gleefully accepted by your true love with the creatures of the sea floating by as your silent witnesses.

 
Inverted Pyramid

Next to the Inverted Glass Pyramid at the Louvre
For the couple embarking on the great matrimonial quest, there is no more symbolic place in Paris to declare your passions that in the spot made famous by The Da Vinci Code. Portrayed in the movie as the final resting place of Mary Magdalene, the inverted pyramid that lies within the Louvre is considered by some to be a holy place, especially when the prism-like pyramid breaks the lights of Paris into a thousand shimmering points of luminosity, filling the room with rainbows. With just the right timing you can add that magical touch that will bind your love like a Celtic knot. Regardless of the time of day, you can anticipate a proposal of mythical proportions.

 
Luxembourg Garden

The Luxembourg Garden
If you’ve been walking around Paris for days with your ring in your pocket, fretting for the perfect spot for your well-rehearsed plea for the fair hand of your beloved, be sure to include the Luxembourg Garden on your next walking tour. You worries will be over because the park holds so many delicious romantic spots to choose from that the biggest problem will be deciding which one! Even known to inspire the less prepared to propose on the spot, these beautiful gardens in the heart of the Left Bank have developed a reputation for helping shy lovers drop their fears and make the plunge. Just steer clear of the Medici Fountain—even though the statue of the two entwined lovers might seem just the place, the story of what happens to them at the hands of the jealous sheep herder Polyphemus is not really the kind of tale you want have associated with your plans for future bliss.

 
Musee de la Vie Romantique

Musée de la Vie Romantique
If your intended is a liberated literary type with a penchant for the real-life romances of the writers of Paris, consider making your proposal on the small but charming grounds of the “Museum of the Romantic Life” that pays homage to George Sand—the lady author who had to suppress her feminine side to be published in less enlightened times. Since the days of the Restauration, this building has served as a hangout for some of Paris’ most esteemed artists. Several of them, most notably the famed composer Chopin and fellow novelist Jules Sandeau, were Sand’s lovers. Tenderly displayed in the museum are intimate objects that speak of her great passions. The quiet, shaded garden path that leads to the cobblestone courtyard provides an idyllic, secluded spot to go down on your knee to declare your unquenchable passion for the love of your life.

About the Author: Lela Lake is a life-long lover of Parisian culture who writes for HostelBrokers.com, the budget travel specialists. If you want to visit Paris yourself, check out HostelBrokers.com selection of Cheap Paris Hotels Paris.

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Seven Places to Propose Marriage in Paris
That AREN’T the Eiffel Tower – Part 2
By Lela Lake, Guest Blogger

Seven Places to Propose Marriage in Paris
That AREN’T the Eiffel Tower – Part 1
By Lela Lake, Guest Blogger

November 5th, 2011
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Proposing in Paris hasn’t become cliché, but doing it on the Eiffel Tower has since Tom Cruise so publicly made it “his place” to propose to Katie Holmes.

Never fear, there are plenty of equally romantic Parisian spots to pop the question without risking coming off as an unimaginative copycat when it comes to the art of amour!

Sacré-Coeur in the Evening

Sacré Coeur Basilica
If you want to have the Eiffel Tower in the picture for your big moment, consider proposing at the magnificent Sacré Coeur Basilica that has stood over the City of Light since the beginning of the twentieth century. If you climb up the stairs to the dome, you will have the second best view in all of Paris…and this one includes the Eiffel Tower—which is naturally missing when you see the city from “best” view because you’re standing on it! Just make sure your beloved is positioned so the tower is properly placed in the background when you finally work up the courage: the symbolism of the tower could add just the right touch of Eros to your proposal.

 

Pont des Arts

Pont des Arts
The Pont des Arts bridge that crosses the Seine near the Louvre is a famous setting for lovers to declare their mutual passion—but the recent “love lock” fad has become a target of controversy. Although the origins of this craze remain unclear, the trend of declaring mutual adoration by leaving a padlock affixed to the fencing on the bridge started a few years ago. In a decidedly unromantic response, the city of Paris removed the locks that symbolize so many moments of commitment, but they have reappeared and are perhaps even more numerous than before! If you plan to propose to your beloved while sharing a bottle of wine on the bridge and gazing at the lights of Paris reflected in your lover’s eyes, presenting a padlock along with the ring would be the crowning touch…with the understanding that the lock may be a purely symbolic act if the city once again decides that the “love locks” must go.

Promenade Plantée

La Promenade Plantée
The beautiful Promenade Plantée (planted path) that runs its course above the streets of Paris can be a lovely setting for your proposal to your enchanted intended. The 4.5 km-long walk was once an elevated railway line that fell out of use long ago. With a little help from her friends, Mother Nature has transformed what was an eyesore into a lovely walking path shaded by cherry trees and dotted with secluded benches under wisteria vines. Below the walkway, the viaduct even has some quaint shops and eateries where you can have a nibble before your stroll. Just take the subway to the Bastille station and you’ll soon be far above the maddening crowd as you stroll along arm in arm with your eye out for the perfect “love grotto” to make your move on your future fiancé/e.

 

About the Author: Lela Lake is a life-long lover of Parisian culture who writes for HostelBrokers.com, the budget travel specialists. If you want to visit Paris yourself, check out HostelBrokers.com selection of Cheap Paris Hotels.

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Seven Places to Propose Marriage in Paris
That AREN’T the Eiffel Tower – Part 1
By Lela Lake, Guest Blogger

In This Month’s Paris Insights Newsletter:
The State of Artisanal Beer in France – Part 1

November 2nd, 2011
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To write this month’s Paris Insights on artisanal beer in France, we interviewed a number of participants in this small but growing industry. Read about the resurgence of interest for this beverage in the City of Light. Click here to read the newsletter abstract.

Beer and Peanuts

Beer and Peanuts
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Our newsletter is published monthly as a downloadable PDF file. It is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.

If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.

Bonne Lecture!

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A Hallowe’en Aftershock

November 1st, 2011
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Tom Reeves, co-founder of Discover Paris!, photographed while investigating reports of paranormal phenomena on Hallowe’en in Paris.

Smoke from Eye Sockets

Smoke from Eye Sockets
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Forehead Aflame

Forehead Aflame
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

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Celebrating Coffee at the Fête de la Gastronomie — Part II

October 26th, 2011
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Comptoirs Richard

Comptoirs Richard
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

France’s first Fête de la Gastronomie was held on Friday, September 23. Among the events that were organized around this theme were presentations and tastings of cheese, chocolate, tea, beer, and coffee. I chose to attend the beer and coffee events.

In Part I of “Celebrating Coffee during the Fête de la Gastronomie” I wrote about the coffee-roasting demonstration that was held at Comptoirs Richard in the 15th arrondissement. Today, I present my observations on the presentation and coffee tasting that was held at the company’s shop in the 6th arrondissement.

Before the tasting, the manager, Jérémie, gave a presentation on the history of coffee. He mentioned the legend of the Yemenite goat herder Kaldi (some place him in Ethiopia) who is credited with discovering coffee after noticing one day that his goats were rather frisky after eating the red berry of the coffee tree.

Jérémie - Manager of Comptoirs Richard

Jérémie - Manager of Comptoirs Richard
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Jérémie went on to trace the trade route of coffee from Ethiopia to Yemen and then to Europe. From Europe, the French took it to Martinique in the Caribbean.

He talked about two different kinds of coffee, Arabica and Robusta, whose beans come from different species of plants. Arabica grows at high altitudes, while Robusta grows at low elevations. Arabica is the preferred coffee; its taste ranges from sweet and soft to sharp and tangy. It represents 70% of the world’s annual coffee production. Robusta has a limited range of taste and is considered to be an inferior coffee. The top producer of Robusta is Vietnam, which exports 12% of the world’s annual coffee production. The top producer of both types of coffee is Brazil, which exports 35% of the world’s annual coffee production.

Jérémie mentioned that the top importer of coffee is the United States (20 million sacks of coffee per year), followed by Germany (10 million), Japan (7 million), Italy (5.4 million), and France (5.4 million). Although the U.S. is the top importer of coffee, it is not the top consumer in terms of number of kilos per coffee drinker per year. That honor goes to the Norwegians, whose coffee drinkers each consume 10 to 11 kilos of coffee per year.

Jérémie then turned to the details of coffee production itself, including where it is grown (in the sun or in the shade), how it is harvested (machine picked or handpicked), how it is prepared (wet process or dry process) and how it is sorted (mechanically or manually). The production of coffee, he explained, is a complex process. Mishandling at any point, including the final phases (roasting, grinding, and brewing), can adversely affect the flavor of the product.

To help its customers choose which coffee they might like to purchase, Comptoirs Richard provides the following information about each product:

• The continent from which it comes
• The country
• The region
• The plantation
• The method of harvesting
• The method of drying
• The method of sorting

Following Jérémie’s presentation, we repaired to the coffee bar where we tasted Costa Rica (country) Tarrazu (region) “La Pantera” (plantation) coffee brewed in three different ways: drip-brewed with a filter; steeped in a French press; and pressure-forced in an espresso machine. I found that the filtered coffee had a mild fruity flavor, but at the same time tasted bitter; the flavor of the steeped coffee was stronger but less bitter; and the espresso the strongest flavor with the least bitterness.

Espresso Coffee at Comptoirs Richard

Espresso Coffee at Comptoirs Richard
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

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How a Scam Works

October 25th, 2011
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Last Sunday I posted photos on Facebook of a scam that takes place on pont des Arts, as well as at other locations in Paris where tourists congregate. Today I will provide a more detailed explanation about how it works.

Male Solicitor Approaches Woman Who Ignores Him

Male Solicitor Approaches Woman Who Ignores Him
Photo by www.ParisInsights.com

Young people, pretending to be deaf and dumb, get the attention of passersby by waving a pen and a petition. Once eye contact is made, the solicitor shows the petition. (See photo, below.) The petition is a sheet of paper with the heading “Association des Sourds et Muets” (Association of the Deaf and Dumb), an association that does not exist. The sheet has space for the name of the person who signs, the country, and the amount of money that the signer will contribute. Names and amounts are already filled in, presumably by other passersby. The amounts range from 5€ to 20€. Thus, it is evident that the solicitor wants the passerby to contribute amounts in this price range.

A Close-up Photo of the Petition

A Close-up Photo of the Petition
Photo by www.ParisInsights.com

In once case, I saw the solicitor, a young man, insistently making gestures, trying to get a woman to give up some money. She was assertive, though, and made a sign of refusal. She then continued on her way.

Insistent Solicitor

Insistent Solicitor
Photo by www.ParisInsights.com

Assertive Passerby

Assertive Passerby
Photo by www.ParisInsights.com

As the French would say, “A bon entendeur, salut !” (A word to the wise is enough.)

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Mousse Touch – A Beer-Tasting Event

October 21st, 2011
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Wednesday night saw a gathering of beer enthusiasts in Paris to taste artisanal beers from Quebec and Ontario. The Canadian brewers were in the city on their way to Strasbourg for the Mondial de la Bière exposition, scheduled to open this weekend.

The event was organized by Elizabeth Pierre, a bièrologue (beer specialist) who is passionate about the brew. Her company is called Mousse Touch.

Elisabeth Pierre

Elisabeth Pierre of Mousse Touch
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

While the husband-and-wife team from Emperor Norton of Paris moved through the crowd to serve Poutine Chips (old fashioned chips with gravy and cheese powders), Blueberry Pepper Chicken (grilled chicken breast or hearts, served with wild blueberry sauce and “Penja” black pepper), Pea Soup (split pea soup with crème fraîche and a drop of mint olive oil), Nanaimo Balls (little balls of “Nanaïmo” – the famous Canadian dessert – with cookies, coconuts, custard cream, and chocolate flavored with stout ale), and Maple Bacon Popcorn (popcorn glazed with maple syrup and bacon bits), enthusiasts went from booth to booth to taste craft beers.

Alanna McPherson

Alanna McPherson
Emperor Norton of Paris
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Omid Tavallai

Omid Tavallai
Emperor Norton of Paris
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

I tried Aphrodisiaque, a beer brewed with cocoa and vanilla beans by Dieu du Ciel in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. It is a dark beer with the sweet fragrance and mild taste of cocoa. I enjoyed this one.

Dieu du Ciel

Dieu du Ciel
From left to right:
Etienne, Luc, Stephane, Jean-François, Isabelle
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Sticking to the cocoa theme, I moved on to La Noire Soeur, a stout brewed by Le Grimoire in Granby, Quebec. This one disappointed me. It had a thin mouth-feel and a sour taste. The foamy head disappeared rather quickly. The company’s Web site does not list the ingredients, but I believe that the bartender told me that cocoa is one of them.

Le Grimoire

Le Grimoire
Sébastien Dancause (left)
Steve Dancause (right)
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Then I tried Vache Folle Milk Stout, brewed by Charlevoix in Charlevoix, Quebec. I was intrigued by the idea that the beer is sweetened with lactose. I found it to be spicy with a slight chocolate taste.

I summoned up my courage and tried Corps Morts (translation: Dead Bodies), brewed by A l’Abri de la Tempête in L’Etang-du-Nord, Quebec. With 11% alcohol, it is quite strong for beer. Called a “barley wine,” it tasted sweet, with a sharp aftertaste and a strong odor of malt.

I then tried the Lug Tread Lagered Ale, the award-winning, flagship beer of Beau’s in Vankleek Hill, Ontario. Lug Tread is top fermented (like ale) and then cold aged (like lager) for a lengthy period. The notes on the information sheet indicate that it is a Pilsner with roasted wheat. I found its taste to be sharp and bitter—not as mild as I would have expected a wheat beer to be.

Finally, I tasted a Demory-Paris Roquette Blanche, a beer with a Parisian name that is brewed in Germany. It is not clear to me whether this beer qualifies as artisanal, but I found its flavor balanced and refreshing.

Demory-Paris

Demory-Paris
From left to right:
Kai Lorch, Romain Soulard, Jonathan Kron
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Kudos to Elisabeth for her initiative in bringing all of these brewers together for a night of beer tasting in Paris!

More pictures:

Philippe Gauthier - Le Naufrageur

Philippe Gauthier of Le Naufrageur
in Carleton, Quebec
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Sébastien Ghiotto - Chez Polette

Sébastien Ghiotto of Chez Polette
in Fontenay-aux-Roses
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Jacques Ferté of Gallia

Jacques Ferté (behind table) of Gallia
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

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Celebrating Coffee at the Fête de la Gastronomie — Part I

October 19th, 2011
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France’s first Fête de la Gastronomie was held on September 23. Among the events at the festival were presentations on and tastings of cheese, chocolate, tea, beer, and coffee.

I wrote about the beer tasting in an earlier blog. In this article, I present my experience at one of the two coffee presentations that I attended. Both were given by Comptoirs Richard, a purveyor of fresh-roasted coffee with seven shops in Paris.

Comtoirs Richard in the 15th Arrondissement

Comtoirs Richard 73, rue Lecourbe Paris
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

On the morning of the 23rd of September I went to the shop at 73, rue Lecourbe, located in the 15th arrondissement. There, I saw Yoann Linares load a 4kg batch of Guatemala Antigua coffee into his SASA SAMIAC coffee roaster. While the drum turned, Linares explained that when green coffee beans are received from the distributor, they contain about 12% to 15% humidity. It is the humidity in the beans during the roasting process that causes them to expand (they double in volume) and “crack” (make a cracking sound). The escaping hot water transforms the sugar and acids in the beans into aroma, a process called the Maillard reaction (named after the French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, who discovered the phenomenon).

Yohann Linares Standing next to Sasa Samiac Roaster

Yohann Linares Standing next to Sasa Samiac Roaster
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Coffee roasting requires roughly twenty minutes, but that is only an estimate. During the process, Linares checks the quality of the roast by means of a scoop that catches the beans as they tumble in the drum. He withdraws the scoop and inspects the coffee. He explained to me that coffee will crack three times during the roasting process. For his coffee, he stops the roast after the second crack.

Checking the Quality of the Roast

Checking the Quality of the Roast
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

After he determined that the roast was about ready, he turned off the heat and let the drum turn awhile. Then he opened a chute, allowing the hot beans to spill onto a cooling tray. Blades in the tray churned the coffee while a fan underneath forced cool air through the beans. The coffee was almost finished! He let the beans cool down and then placed them in a special bag with a valve that allows gasses to escape. After resting 24 to 48 hours, the coffee will be ready to sell to customers.

The Roasted Beans Spill onto the Cooling Tray

The Roasted Beans Spill onto the Cooling Tray
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Linares showed me one of the roasted beans and pointed out the caramel-colored stripe that runs down the middle. This is a membrane (called, I believe, chaff or silverskin), and if the coffee is roasted correctly, the membrane has a golden color.

Roasted Coffee Beans Showing Silverskin in Crease

Roasted Coffee Beans Showing Silverskin in Crease
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Linares broke open a bean and showed me the interior. I could see the golden membrane wrapped within.

Cross Section of Roasted Coffee Bean Courtesy of Willem J Boot

Cross Section of Roasted Coffee Bean
Photo courtesy of Willem J Boot - www.bootcoffee.com

At the end of the roasting demonstration, Linares showed me a scoop of green beans next to a scoop of the roasted ones.

Before and After

Before and After
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

I left the shop impressed by the careful attention that Comptoirs Richard gives to its coffee. It is especially notable that the coffee is roasted in small batches, a process that distinguishes it as a quality artisanal product.

As I was leaving, Linares mentioned that if I would look up at the façade next door, I would see the name of the original owner: J. Ladoux. It seems that one of the heirs of the Richard coffee company married a daughter of the Ladoux family (the owners of the Ladoux coffee company), thereby fusing the two companies into one. It was a matrimonial alliance worthy of royalty!

Façade of J. Ladoux

Façade of J. Ladoux
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

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A Cooking Class with Chef François Rosati at the Cook & Coffee Showroom

October 16th, 2011
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Ever on the lookout for information about how to prepare a better cup of coffee, I recently attended a cooking presentation at Cook & Coffee, a showroom in Paris set up to demonstrate Kenwood and DeLonghi cookware.

Cook & Coffee Showroom

Cook & Coffee Showroom
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Chef François Rosati first demonstrated how to make choux pastry using the Kenwood Cooking Chef, a mixer that cooks as it stirs. It is a beautiful machine that prepares breads, pastries, risottos, and a zillion other things. It was fun to watch Chef Rosati operate the device and even better to taste the finished pastries that had been baked in advance. (I had half expected the marvelous machine to bake the pastries and was disappointed to see that they had to be formed, using a pastry bag, on a baking sheet and then popped into a preheated oven.)

Chef François Rosati with the Kenwood Cooking Chef

Chef François Rosati with the
Kenwood Cooking Chef
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Following this presentation, Chef Rosati demonstrated the DeLonghi Lattissima+, a “one-touch” espresso machine and milk steamer that uses Nespresso capsules. He prepared a three-layered cappuccino: the bottom layer was a purée of green apple (prepared using the Kenwood machine); the middle layer was hot espresso; and the top layer was frothy, steamed milk. Chef Rosati told us that this drink was invented by Michel Roth, chef at the Ritz hotel. I was skeptical but tried it. To drink it, one is supposed to use a spoon to draw the apple purée at the bottom of the cup up through the layers of coffee and milk. Although I thought that the idea was clever, I did not find the combination of the three ingredients to be particularly appealing. I prefer my cappuccino prepared in the traditional way!

Cappuccino Prepared with Purée of Green Apple

Cappuccino Prepared with
Purée of Green Apple
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Cook & Coffee
3, rue Paul Cézanne
75008 Paris
Tel: 01.53.75.44.44
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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A Champagne Reception at La Bonne Franquette

October 12th, 2011
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Anne and Patrick Frachboud

Anne and Patrick Frachboud
Owners of La Bonne Franquette
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Last night we attended a champagne reception at La Bonne Franquette, a restaurant located on Butte Montmartre not far from Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Organized by the owners, Patrick and Anne Fracheboud, there were six different champagnes available to taste including three mono-cépages (champagne from a single grape variety).

La Bonne Franquette specializes in regional cuisine. We dined there recently and were impressed by the quality of the food and service. Located in the heart of a major tourist attraction (just off place du Tertre), it would be so easy for the owners to take the path of least resistance and serve mediocre food to the hundreds of tourists who come here. The Frachebouds, however, have chosen to set their sights higher. The proof is in the quality of the delicious regional dishes that they serve!

La Bonne Franquette

La Bonne Franquette
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

We wrote an extensive article about La Bonne Franquette for this month’s edition of Le Bon Goût, a restaurant review feature that appears in our monthly newsletter Paris Insights.

Click here to read a brief summary of the October issue, and here to enter a subscription.

Bonne lecture!

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A Champagne Reception at La Bonne Franquette