Paris has more than its fair share of high end chocolatiers: La Maison du Chocolat, Christian Constant, Jadis et Gourmande, just to name a few. But tucked away in the Rue St. Dominique, near the Eiffel Tower, is Gregory Renard’s family owned chocolate shop. Everything here is made by hand. Next time you’re in Paris, stop by and see what his small shop has to offer. Until then, you can read about it in this article from the Washington Post.

The “gastro bistro” is all the rage in Paris these days. For people who don’t want to pay $250 a person at a three star restaurant, but want something more innovative than the local bistro, the gastro bistro is the answer. Menus at these restaurants range between 29 - 60 euros, and offer something unique that keeps them coming back. Read more in this article that appeared in today’s Boston Globe.

This is a great article from Madame Figaro, all about the history of Fauchon, one of Paris’ greatest patisseries. Practice your French and learn a little about the beginnings of this great “traiteur”.

Check out this great article on new restaurants in Paris. Some of them sound worth a visit!
www.foodandwine.com

Paris has two official sales periods per year: January and July. On Wednesday, January 11 and for a period of six weeks after, you can enjoy a 30-50% reduction off regular prices
By French law, the only times retailers can hold such sales are January and July. Any other reductions in price during the year are called “promotions” and are on a small number of items in the store. During the annual sales, the stores stock up specifically to sell at a discount. Le Printemps expects at least 500,000 people to visit its 17 stores in France on Wednesday, 180,000 in Paris alone.
These sales represent one quarter of the annual earnings of most retailers. They take it seriously!
So if you’re lucky enough to be in France over the next six weeks, enjoy the “soldes”!

Rollerblading has taken on a life of its own in Paris. Every week there are two rollerblading events: one on Friday evening and another on Sunday afternoon. Each are free and open to anyone, but be advised that you should have some skill before joining the fun…especially for the Friday night circuit.

Sunday is more family-oriented.

On Friday, you are one of over 4.000 experienced skaters who take a different 25 km circuit each week. The day before the tour, get details at www.pari-roller.com. Once every two months they even take on the Champs Elysees. Sunday’s tour is more leisurely, a 20 km. 3 hour tour of Paris. Get more information at www.rollers-coquillages.org.

This article, “The French Disconnection” by Corinne Maier appeared in the New York Times, Sunday, January 8, 2006. A local perspective on the unrest that occurred in the Parisian suburbs last fall. I found it a very interesting article and hope you will too.