I only mentioned it because people who visit the rue Cler are often people who have been told by a certain famous travel writer that it's the essence of Paris, when nothing could be much further from the truth. I don't even recall a crêpe place on that street (I don't think people in the 7th are too often willing to be seen eating mere crêpes), but I suppose there might well be one.

he's there. he's a gruff old guy who turns out good crepes. I didn't know it before I went there, but apparently a local newspaper had written an article on him.

I stayed in the area because I found a cheap hotel there with nice staff and easy Metro access.

<<The rue Cler? Hardly the first place that springs to mind when one thinks of crêpes. Just out of curiosity, how many other crêpe places have you tried, and where were they?>>

We've tried crepes all over Paris and, for us, the very best are on rue Cler.

Psychology has a lot to do with the enjoyment of crepes.

No doubt.

Indeed, I picture Rick Steves on a video leaning close to the camera. His eyes get all swirly and he wiggles his fingers in front of the camera as he intones, "You … must visit … rue Cler." And his viewers are magically hypnotized. How else could such an ordinary street get such an extraordinary reputation?

speaking of crepes, what's the etiquette for eating them on a public bus? i'm assuming it's not done. i was caught once having just bought a drippy nutella crepe, it started to rain, and the bus came right away. rather embarrassing!

still waiting for airfares to go down so i can book for next march . . .

Eating and drinking are permitted on public transportation in Paris but probably only because people are not in the habit of doing it much. If the metros and buses started to get really sloppy, a ban would probably go into effect.

Now, I know what crepes look like (my mom makes them), so I know this question is going to sound silly...but - can anyone describe what these crepes look like, what type of filling is in it, do you eat them with your hand or...? Or maybe point me in the direction of a picture. I've read so much in terms of crepes that it does indeed make my mouth water! 18 days until I leave!

They are quite flat and can have all sorts of fillings -- jam, honey, sugar, butter, Nutella, chocolate, Grand Marnier, etc. They are rolled up in wax paper and eaten by holding the cone of crêpe and paper in your hand.

yep! that's why, if you have nutella which is essentially warm melted chocolate, it can get messy and drip down your scarf. not good for eating on a bus.

you can also order crepes in cafes, and they come flat on your plate. not bad, just different.

enjoy your trip!

Nutella is NOT warm melted chocolate. It is hazelnut paste (hence the NUT in the name), or more precisely 13% hazelnut and 6% cocoa, in addition to a disgusting amount of sugar and vegetable oil.

I usually like the simple butter-and-sugar crepes, but on cold days a cheesy crepe is sooo comforting.

I don't watch/read Rick Steves. My favorite Globe Trekker is Zay Harding.

ParisEscapes
They are wonderful and freshly made! I can just taste the banana/nutella crêpes right now :-) Mmmm... a whole banana sliced into it with melting nutella....

Sandy

trafaelwyr,
The ones at the Saint Germain des Pres creperie are folded in half and in half again, and you eat them with your hands, not fancy at all :-)

Sandy

"My favorite crepe stand is in Saint Germain des Pres, right in front of the Eglise Saint Germain."

Sandy (or anyone else who loves this place) -- could you please tell me where this is located? We are visiting Paris for the first time, so I do not where most places are located yet. We are staying near Place St. Michel in the 6th, so it sounds like this crepe stand might be close.