Today Libby arrived and other than that we dedicated it to resting and relaxing in the apartment. We greeted her with champagne, foie gras, camembert (at the very convenient downstairs cafe), a full fridge of macaroons and crepes ordered from a hole in the wall!
We have many more fun things planned to share with Libby for our last two days in Paris!
After seeing so many pastry and cake shops we had to try our hands at the art of perfecting infamous macaroons. Cook’n with Class is a small cooking school in Paris near Montmartre. A taste of France, A love of Cooking…….It sounded just perfect. We were in a small class of 6 people and across 3 hours with the guidance of our lovely French pastry chef, Constance, we made 3 different flavoured macaroons. Whisking, stirring, brushing, piping and banging. Yes, banging! That surprised us all! Constance dropped the tray without warning creating a very loud, impacting bang! It didn’t take long before we realised that was part of the art so off we all went on “banging” the air out of the macaroons!
Our favourite?………Salted butter caramel of course!
We will be sure to try our new skills out when we get back to Australia!
Saturday saw us take in a few of our advised must do “tips”
The first was to head along Rue Montorgueil, Foodie heaven and just a short walk from our apartment. I could have literally spent all day eating my way from one end of the street to the other! There were so many patisseries and we sampled as instructed the infamous eclair chocolate from Stohrer, but there was fruits, cheeses, salads, seafood, produce and of course cafes. I think I might have to sneak back……..it is after all, just around the corner…….sort of!!!!
Next we headed off to Montmartre and Sacre Couer again. Secretly I was cursing Melanie because we had already been up there on Tuesday and as I stood at the bus stop in the hot sun having reluctantly dragged myself away from Rue Montorgueil, I was doubtful. Melanie had told us about the freestyle soccer performer at Sacre Coure and it had been backed up by Claire and Russ but he wasn’t there on Tuesday. The hill is a hard climb for Pippa, but there he was, sitting on the concrete pillar stretching and “psyching” himself up. In the hot sun on the asphalt we waited, probably for 40 minutes; I doubted again, thinking this guy is full of himself. Then he performed………….Wow! Then he went up the lamp pole……….
Incredible, Talented, Extrodinary!
We finished the day coming back via our neighbouring Place des Vosges – beautiful, tranquil yet bustling, art, music and very Parisian.
Sunday 14th September was two special days in one and Pippa was happy to share the spotlight with her brother – or should I say, James was happy to share it with Pippa and the Eiffel Tower.
We were dedicating the entire day to visiting the Eiffel Tower but it was also James’ birthday and he was celebrating by going to the top of one of the most recognised landmarks in the world!
How to get to the Eiffel Tower from our apartment? Well, we just wandered down the end of our street, hopped on the batobus and leisurely made our way along the Seine. Pippa, James and Patrick thought that in itself was fabulous!
The majestic magnificence of the grand structure close up impressed each one of us. Along with the millions of tourists who visit it we also marvelled at its granduer. Of course there was no stopping Pippa going right to the top and taking in every view. We picnicked on the lawn at the base, walked around to the other side of the pond for the obligatory photos and rode on the carousel. Patrick bargained with the souvenir hawkers, but it was James that came home with something like 26 Eiffel Towers – I still can’t work out how!!! We took in every experience possible for Pippa to enjoy the Eiffel Tower. Her dream come true!
It was a very special day. We didn’t rush but just took our time enjoying every moment and at the end we had a birthday dinner for James.
Pippa Rea 