Merde il pleut

Today’s Epiphany: Unlike many other offerings in the city, the rain in Paris isn’t obscenely fashionable or especially delectable. In fact, it can be rather unpleasant when you’re lugging a 46 pound suitcase through the streets and up staircases, sandal-clad feet (rookie mistake) having lost feeling long ago due to the rather chilly rainfall and wind. But hey, guess what? Je suis en Paris! So even though the weather forecast doesn’t look too outstanding

for my stay here, I’m pretty sure (like, 110%) that the abundance of pastries will be a sufficient distraction, much as they were today.

Before I delve into the details of today’s adventure, though, I thought it might be nice to provide a little bit more background about my pastry proposal and the name of my blog. I proposed a trip through Paris, across Italy, and ending in Greece, with me taking baking classes in each location and eating 3 pastries every day. How am I doing? Or maybe, you want to ask, is it even possible? Can a human being consume so many pastries in such a condensed time period?

Well, in terms of my itinerary, I’m staying pretty true to my proposal. I’m spending 7 nights in Paris, 11 in Italy, and 6 in Greece. As for the pastry portion, well…I suppose I fell a little short today, because I only visited one boulangerie-pâtisserie (bread and pastry shop) for a pastry. BUT, hear me out! I had a croissant for breakfast, bread with nutella for a snack, and dark chocolate on biscuits (translation: cookies) for a second snack. All that sugar must count for something.

Either way, onto the details of today! After slogging through the rain to find our lodging, my friend Kat (who’s touring Paris with me for a week!) and I spent the afternoon visiting Montmartre, just north of the center of Paris. We visited the Sacré Cœur Basilica and took in a panoramic view of Paris. The Basilica and the view of the city were gorgeous.

The part I was most excited about, however (sorry, Sacré Cœur), was seeking out the famous Boulangerie featured in a painting by Maurice Utrillo. We found it (with help from the Rick Steves travel book) at the intersection of rue Norvins and rue des Saules.

Inside, I chose the tartlettes aux pommes, a version of a small apple pie with an unbelievably flaky crust. It was delicoius. Delectable. Nommy. And if every pastry in Paris is this good, I might have to change the name of this blog…does 6 Pastries a Day have the same ring to it?

Displayed here in all its glory:

Mmm…the sweet apple slices, that incredible crust!

It was an excellent beginning to what is sure to be the pastry tour of a lifetime (at least, the evidence will probably stay on my hips forever).

Well, jet lag is starting to take its toll, so it’s bedtime for me. Tomorrow, a trip to the Louvre and hopefully a Gosselin Philippe bakery!