We were really lucky with the weather when we were in Paris in April 2002. Look at all this sunshine. The colors. Most of these establishments are in the neighborhood where CHM was born and grew up. Partly because I became a friend of his, I've spent a lot of time in this part of Paris, too. It's the area around the École Militaire, the Eiffel Tower, and the Hôtel des Invalides.
All these crowded cafés and brasseries are closed for the time being because of our new confinement order. Paris must feel like a ghost town. I'm glad I don't have to see it like that. Looking at them again, I realize that Walt and I have had lunch in at least four of these six cafés — some of them several times over the years.
The first one is just a few steps away from my place. It has changed ownership a few years ago -- I think the owner retired to his native province, la Savoie -- and the café has a new name. Now, it's called Café Basile, perhaps the first name of the new owner?
ReplyDeleteIn France, we talk about le café du coin for a reason. In the greatest majority, they are located in buildings at the corner of two streets.
DeleteSome of them, café tabac, are also tobacconists, a franchise given by the government to disabled war veterans to operate.
What a great neighborhood! I stayed in the Hôtel Muguet on rue Chevert on one visit... I think that maybe I had seen you mention it?
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at the Muguet at least once, maybe twice, about 20 years ago.
DeleteDidn't Cheryl stay at the Muguet too, after her vacation with you at Vouvray?
DeleteThat's right, she did. When Walt and I came back to Paris, we stayed at the Duquesne-Eiffel, just around the corner.
DeleteIIRC, it is when we went to have diner with Cheryl at the Atlas across the street from Chez René. What did we have for diner? Coucous?
DeleteI don't think you were in Paris in April 2002. Were you? I'm not sure when it was that we had dinner at the Atlas couscous restaurant. Could it have been in 2001, after our stay in Vouvray?
DeleteYes, that's what I meant, after your stay in Vouvray. After my move to the the US, I never was in Paris earlier than May. And, besides, Frank was with me in 2002.
DeleteLove these photos. This has always been one of my favorite areas in Paris to call home, if only for a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteMine too.
DeleteThese look like great places to hang out with a cup of coffee and maybe a dessert. Wish we could all meet up at Café Basile for an espresso.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, i'm all for it. It would mean that rehab had finally done its job! Which is not yhe case right now.
DeleteMe too — all for it. If wishes were fishes...
DeleteThank you very much for your blog. I found a 2002 entry after googling patidou (as we received some in our Brussels weekly vegetable box and I had no idea what to do with them). We moved here a few years ago and are still discovering...
ReplyDeleteI came for the recipe and then stayed for your blog... Your photos are beautiful and your writing evokes places and seasons. Thank you very much for making my day. I wish you good health and good luck from Brussels!
Julia
Thanks for the nice comment, Julia. Stay healthy! Ken
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