Last May Rollie and I went to Paris. I have been to Paris before ( a very long time ago). This time I made a list of some things that I absolutely must do while in Paris. At the top of my list was going to a Parisian flea market (marche aux puces). I asked about these markets when we first arrived and was told they were too "dangereux". We passed a couple of these markets when we rode a bus tour, and they didn't look very appealing. Clothes and junk all over the sidewalks, so I resigned myself to taking that experience off the list. Another item on my list was to visit Rue Cler (Cler street), a very typical French street. I wanted Rollie to take pictures of the storefronts. As we climbed the stairs from the Metro, we were greeted with the classic "marche aux puces", right there on Rue Cler. Quelle chance! Take a look:
Did you know that the term "flea market" dates back a couple of centuries when people would put out their old "flea ridden" clothing and other items?
Below I am holding, yes, a rooster. Did I buy it? No. I didn't want to pack it home, but it was a great rooster.
We did buy something at the flea market, however. I got Rollie a stereoscope, along with some glass slides that dated from 1900. Rollie enjoyed checking out all the options and I had SO MUCH FUN conversing (en francais,bien sur) with the vendor. After we bargained about the price, etc. he proceeded to tell me all about the wonderful inventions of the French people. He insists that the French flew the first airplane. (He may be correct).
There were all kinds of treasures at this very high end flea market.
These are old typsettings from the days of handsetting type.
The discovery of the flea market made my day, but that was only the beginning. Rue Cler was everything I expected it to be. Below the sign lets you know that Rue Cler is in the 7th district of Paris and was named after General Cler, conquering hero at Alma, but killed at Magenta. Voulez-vous faire une promenade avec moi?
Les sandwiches francais!!! The French do know how to make a great sandwich. The national image of France used to be a pair of crossed baguettes under a Basque beret. We saw lots of bread, but the only berets were at the tourist booths.
Les patisseries! Delicieux!
Une dame francaise avec les baguettes. The French still prefer to shop the markets daily, especially for fresh bread, a staple of their diet. When you shop, remember to greet the merchant with "Bonjour" and say good-by, "Au Revoir". It is the custom in France.
A La Mere de Famille, translation, "At the family's mother's place". This place sells "confiture", jams, jellies, candies and more.
Les Fleuristes. Flower shops abound in France. The French often take flowers when invited to someone's home for dinner. Caution! Don't take chrysanthemums. That is the funeral flower.
Une brasserie! A typical cafe/bar.
La boucherie! The butcher shop.
La Charcuterie. The deli market with specialty meats.
Encore les fleurs.
La poissonerie. The fish shop. Interesting side note: What we call April Fool's Day, the French call April Fish Day.
Les poissons avec leur tetes. You can buy the whole fish, head and all.
Miel et Nature. Translation, Honey and Nature. Another store where you can buy jams along with honey products.
La Fromagerie: The Cheese store. France is not France without its cheeses.
Une abondance de fromages. You can take a whole class on the different types of cheeses in France.
Un marchand des fruits. The French are very particular about their fruit, as they are with most food. The fruit must smell ripe enough to create an aroma in the apartment.
Les Poires. Rollie's always looking for great photographs.
Un homme francais qui cherche le bon fruit.
Les Quatre Saisons means The Four Seasons. If they have good fresh fruit all year round, they are amazing.
La Chocolaterie: Does this need any translation? A traditional afternoon snack of a French schoolchild is bread and chocolate. Quote from a shopkeeper in Paris: "America looks upon chocolate as a 'bonbon'. France has always regarded it as a jewel. "
Le Librarie. Our last stop is at a "librarie." No this isn't a library. It is a book store. The word for library in French is "la bibliotheque". I did purchase several books while in Paris, but not at this store. I love the French language.
I hope you enjoyed your little walk on a Parsian street. More posts to come. A la prochaine fois!"Paris is always a good idea". ( From the movie "Sabrina:")
