I have borrowed a friend’s apartment, which is especially great as the 4th- or 5th-floor walkup (you know the French count the floors differently; just let me say, ‘tis a long, narrow, winding stair) reminds me of Brooklyn days.
The weather is not top-top-top, as it’s rather warm and humid, with threatening skies and predicted thunderstorms that have not as yet materialized.
And I am working remotely, a pandemic benefit for which I am grateful.
Paris is back! Open and buzzing. After a fashion. Masks required outside one’s own home, including outdoors and on the streets. But I am used to feeling a bit hot and stuffy behind my mask—the new normal.
I am staying in what I think is known as the “upper Marais,” in the 3rd arrondissement. Which is, I learned only this morning the home of one of the 10 best cheese shops in Paris.
Yes, yes, I know. I warned you off of cheese after the Advent calendar. But, as it is soon the second Sunday after Pentecost, I believe I am now ready for a bit of cheese. No doubt you are, too!
So at lunchtime today, I betook myself to my local fromagerie, having bought a ticket to a virtual class on the ABCs of cheese on Saturday evening, to procure the goods!
(Jennifer is the power behind the throne of Chez Loulou. I haven’t met her yet, but plan to do so very soon. She is on a quest to sample every cheese in France. I thought there were 3- or 400-some, but she says there are 1500. LORD, HAVE MERCY! So far, she has tasted these.)
Below, a few glimpses of places in the quartier. More and better coming up when I have some free time on the weekend.
Entrance to a very cool market with lots of market and eating stalls.
Lovely bookshop! and below, a small market shop.