MIREILLE'S MUSINGS: A Few Parisian Treasures

After several weeks of traveling through the U.S. on my cookbook tour, I recently spent a few days in Paris before heading south for my annual summer in Provence. I was lucky enough to have time to catch up with a few friends and visit some favorite shops, plus explore a few new places. There is always something to discover if we only take time to look.

While in town, I went to one of my favorite little stores, Galerie Claude Boulle, 28 rue Jacob, 6th, which seems to have been there forever (a good sign as several shops, mostly bookstores, have just closed on that street), to buy a present for a friend: one of those small landscape stones, coming from Tuscany where an artist treats them to produce something between dream and poetry. No two are alike. I love the story, the "matiere" (marble...as they say "il marmo e l'eternita," marble and eternity) and the result. The tough part is which one to pick. So much beauty on such a small item. So much pleasure to find one to suit someone we care for.

Another interesting fact: 28 rue Jacob is also the house where Colette spent three years of her life. In Paris, there’s seemingly a piece of history around every corner.

Another day I went to see the mostly black & white photo exhibition by Gerard Uferas. It is free and open until July 31st (10:00am to 7:00pm, except Sundays and holidays). It’s worth a visit, with background music, some messages on the walls (ranging from deep to funny and light) and a short film (to practice your French) on the concept, etc.—basically an interview with the photo-reporter. He followed 70 couples over 2 years, showing the melting pot that Paris has become.

Here are some of my favorites. The position of the hands tells all.

Weddings…

Women, wedding and food...

A typical Parisian couple:

If you have a trip to Paris planned before the end of July, it’s well worth the detour.

I have now left the City of Light for the countryside of Provence and its very different sorts of pleasures. I’ll have many more updates and stories to tell as the summer continues…