On the heels of the 4th of July boat cruise that we took with the Seine-Saint-Denis Tourist Office (our blog of July 5), we took another cruise last Saturday. This one was called Croisière brunch sur l’Ourcq avec les Marmites volantes, and it promised to be as fun as the first.
Our Cruise Boat – The Henri IV
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Monique and I showed up at the Bassin de la Villette, the rendezvous point, at 11:15 a.m. A short time later, the boat pulled up to the dock.
Thomas Guillot Prepares to Greet Guests
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Thomas Guillot of the Seine-Saint-Denis Tourist Office greeted us as we climbed on board. We went to the upper deck to enjoy the view while the boat got ready to shove off!
Enjoying the View from the Top Deck while Waiting for the Boat to Shove Off
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Lift Bridge on Rue de Crimée
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Bridge Rising
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
The boat left the dock and we approached the lift bridge on rue de Crimée. The bridge rose, we passed under, and we were on our way!
Settling In for Brunch
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Then came the signal that brunch was served, and we filed down to the dining room where the tables were already set.
What We Had for Brunch
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Surprise! It was a vegetarian brunch! Here’s what we had –
Row one from left to right: Watermelon juice; Fresh country bread from La Conquête du Pain
Row two from left to right: Salad of carrot, red cabbage, white cabbage, pumpkin seed, and herbs; Salad of bulgar, beet, feta cheese, apricot, and parsley
Row three from left to right: Spanish omelet (potato tortilla); Fruit salad with white cheese and granola
Row four: Brownie with hazelnuts; carrot cake
Not pictured: Tomato gaspacho
Coffee and tea were available for free; wine and fruit juice were available for purchase.
It was a delicious, filling, and healthy meal.
Madalena Guerra with Her Marmites
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Madalena Guerra and Lelio Lemoine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Congratulations to Madalena Guerra and Lelio Lemoine, co-managers of Les Marmites Volantes, a restaurant that delivers freshly-made vegetarian and omnivore lunches to office workers in northeastern Paris. Sit-down dining at the restaurant is also available.
Rotonde de la Villette
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Returning to the Bassin de la Villette at the end of the cruise, we were treated to a spectacular view of the Rotonde de la Villette, one of the four remaining tax offices built by architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux in the 18th century .
A good time was had by all!
Special note: The Seine-Saint-Denis Tourist Office has organized other brunch cruises for the summer. Check out their Web site: http://www.tourisme93.com/visites/2002-6846-croisiere-brunch-sur-l-ourcq.html
