LowCountryIslander

I've got to say, I love reading posts where I can get great travel tips and books to put on my reading list! I'm going to have to put John Baxter books high in my reading priorty!

john183

Sounds like you have a great trip in front of you. I'm sure you will enjoy apartment dwelling in the 7th - I'm looking forward to reading your trip report. And thanks one more time for all your advice before our trip last June. Don't forget the ambien, don't forget to turn data roaming off on your iPhone and have a farewell glass of wine at One Flew South if you go through Atlanta!!!

ssander

Walk...walk...walk!!

...and ditto to a pastry every day...we were there in May and plan to go back in May...but I'm still jealous.

...and another ditto on St-Denis (#13 Metro probably near you in the 7th)...IMHO...as good as Notre Dame, but in different ways...no crowds...more mystical...and incredible history...however, Notre Dame during early Sunday mass (no crowds, as well) is a moving experience, even if you're not RC (as I am not).

SS

LowCountryIslander

I'll second john183's recommendation for a glass of wine at One Flew South at ATL...conveniently in Terminal E. Been twice and plan to stop there on our ATL layover in a couple weeks...so much more "civilized" and better offerings than the food court, just steps away!

BeachGirl247

No advice but I hope you have a fabulous trip, denisea! Our son and fiancé leave in the morning and she's absolutely giddy. So if you see a lovely 20-something couple and the young lady has perma-grin, that's them.

I'll be anxious to hear if anyone uses the David Lebovitz pasty app while there. Mine is loaded and ready to use on our Christmas trip.

Love the great Paris tips and recs that are posted!

RobertaL

I'm already booked to return next October. I am looking forward to reading all the details of your trip, don't leave anything out. I love hitting local grocery stores and finding so many inexpensive, delicious wines. If you happen to see my heart somewhere, let me know. I think I left it somewhere around the 7th...

Have a wonderful vacation!

~Roberta

denisea

Oh, you guys are great!

LCI, you do need to read John Baxter! An Aussie who lived in LA and now in France. "We'll Always Paris"; A Paris Christmas: An Immovable Feast and "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World" are his books that I know and I have enjoyed them all (although just starting the last one). AND, along with john183, yes, we live in Atlanta and so do go through Hartsfield. We went to One Flew South before our last trip and it's nice to have good bar/restaurant in the airport before the trip!

BeachGirl - everyone has a perma-grin in Paris!

Roberta- I promise to tell ALL!

raincitygirl

Yes, the yogurt is made by the same company that makes the delicious preserves. When we were there last (2009) it came in a little glass pot, but looking on their website it looks like a pot shape but in plastic. I love to go into grocery stores and check out all the different products when we're travelling.

In Paris we stay at the Hotel de Varenne on rue de Bourgogne and there's a fantastic pastry shop next door (with macarons I dream about) and a grocery store just down the block. Good thing we walk everywhere!

Have a wonderful time!

denisea

raincitygirl - Besner? Do I need to put them on my list of macarons to try? All the walking does help at least keep me weigh "neutral" while in Paris. Another reason I actually like climbing the stairs in the Metro.

framboise_et_rose

Denise,

I can't recall the name of the shop (a small boutique) on rue Saint Dominique roughly across the street from Cafe Constant. They have wonderful macarons and they are not far from you. Clotilde of Chocolate & Zuchini wrote about it a few years ago. I saw the shop last February after lunching at Violon but they were closed that day.

More chococlates and pastries - Jacques Genin is at 133, rue de Turenne. He makes the best caramel mangue et fruit de la passion. They keep them refrigerated. All his other caramels are excellent too not to mention the pastries and chocolates. One can have coffee there too with a sampling of his pastries. They also have some fancy teas to take home.

Enjoy your trip!

-Lilia

AlessandraZoe

Shoulders back, Denisea! Head high. Appetite on. Remember: If Joan can manage to review three restaurants a day and still walk, you can certainly fall on the grenade and review all these pastry and food suggestions for the forum.

I'm thinking instead of posting food pictures with our TRs, we should just post pictures of ourselves "before" and "after".

WOF!

BeachGirl247

<i> If Joan can manage to review three restaurants a day and still walk, you can certainly fall on the grenade and review all these pastry and food suggestions for the forum.</i>

That's hilarious, AlessandraZoe! That sure is a tough assignment she's taking in Paris. Is she up for the challenge? So many pastries, so little time.

paris1953

We did Thanksgiving last year in Paris and it was AMAZING! Be sure to go to the Christmas markets along the Champs. They are beautifully lit and fun to peruse.

As far as my "last word" for you, (as I sit here looking up turkey recipes), it is JEALOUS!!! : )

Bon voyage!

denisea

I happily take on such an important mission and vow to review as many pastries and chocolats as possible, and any other food items vital to the survival of my fellow Fodorites.

Waddle on friends, or should I say hobble on? My knee has inexplicably been acting up this week! Monday, I woke up with soreness and stiffness, for no reason. Still feels tight and like there may be some minor internal swelling. A most unpleasant development! But fear not, I will soldier on for the cause!

Judy

You can do this denisea!! Soldier on....we are all waiting for the reports. I have 3 weeks in 2012 and need to broaden my Parisian horizons. I'm counting on you.

raincitygirl

yes, denise, Besnier is the shop with the great macarons. But it is Paris after all and there will be yummy macarons everywhere. There is a good restaurant on the same side of the street as Besnier and Hotel de Varenne, up a little further toward the Rodin museum. It is called Restaurant Auguste and we had two very good meals there. Mind you it was a few years ago but a TA search just now turned up some good recent reviews.
We sent our lawyer and his wife there a couple of years ago and they said it was the best meal of their trip.

I hope your knee settles down, I have knee problems too and found on my last trip in April if I took a couple of Advil and slathered my knee with Voltaren ointment before setting off for the day it really helped.

Please eat a couple of macarons pour moi.... Waddle/hobble on denise and have yourself a fabulous time! Any shopping to be done? I love Anne Fontaine for blouses. (in St.Germain de Pres)

AJPeabody

A multicenter double blind case contol trial has shown a statistically significant improvement in knee function when treated with French pastries. I'm just sayin'.

denisea

I feel a deep sense of obligation to test all these things for my friends at Fodors. You must to have to best and most current information possible to make your decisions in Paris, and so I will soldier on...even if I have to drag my left leg behind me! Nothing can interfere with my research on Paris pastry.

Hey, AJP...was that study randomized, as well? I think it is the butter in the pastries that soothes and improves knee function.

And, yes, there will be shopping! I am intrigued by the recent post on the vintage Chanel jewelery. A few Christmas gifts will be bought. I hope to find something for the house as a trip memory, as well!

cornelius01

I wrote the book on bad knees and have hobbled all over the city many times but when it gets too bad just find a cafe, have glass of champagne, wine etc. And the knee just settles down!

apersuader65

framboise et rose: Is the little shop "Lemoine" at the corner of Jean Nicot and St. Dominique? If you google maps 74 rue St. Dominique and use street view, I'm sure that's the place you speak of, my wife loved it in March.