Not the best of weather, but better than the snow storm I was leaving behind. And plus, it’s Paris. Weather does not get in the way of any of the beauty (or food).

Izzy and I started off our day with breakfast at her host family’s apartment. Izzy successfully got a photo of our delicious goodness, and I truly appreciate the effort and kindness her host family had sharing their bread, butter, jam and Nespresso machine with me. Breakfast was always delicious.

After our usual Parisian breakfast, we headed into the streets, walking from the Pantheon to the Bon Marché. By the time we got there, it was time for more coffee (not surprising). And where else is there near the Bon Marché to go for coffee? No place but Coutume Café. As warm and lovely as I remembered (and filled with more French people than any other stop), Coutume Café never disappoints. Though we didn’t partake over my visit, their brunch looked amazing for those craving scrambled eggs and bacon in Paris.

Coffee made strolling through the Bon Marché possible, given my ever-present jetlag, so on we strolled. Until we got hungry 🙂

But not for lunch food. Just pastry. And not just any pastry. The pastry of dreams (La Patisserie des Rêves). The ultimate decadence: caramelized cream puffs paired with whipped cream, nestled on a vanilla pastry cream topped pastry, otherwise known as a Saint Honoré.

Thoroughly satisfied, with sticky fingers and scarves full of crumbs, we continued our wander into the 7th. We discovered Izzy has a favorite bridge: Pont Alexandre III.  And naturally, we walked onto the Champs Elysée and saw the ever-beautiful Arc de Triomphe.

After that, it was one straight shot to the Bastille. One hour walk, straight shot. I was reunited with my partner in crime when I had been abroad and now full blown Parisian goddess.

She introduced me to Café de l’Industrie, and along with her great friend, we shared a fantastic French meal. Totally delicious (I naturally picked Confit de Canard), and so so great to be reunited and introduced in the same meal. A fantastic evening.

Addresses:

Coutume Café

47 Rue de Babylone, 7th Arrondissement

La Patisserie des Rêves

93 Rue du Bac, 7th Arrondissement

Café de L’Industrie

16 Rue Saint-Sabin, 11th Arrondissement