May 01
Julian gave me a croissant and brioche class at Le Cordon Bleu for Christmas. Actually, I think it was more a gift for him, expecting me to bake these items on a regular basis. I had to rest my knees for a couple of days so I could participate in the class. We took the …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2025/05/01/an-afternoon-at-le-cordon-bleu/
May 01
We were in Paris last week. We rented an apartment in the same building where we stayed three years ago. Unfortunately, the years have taken a toll on my knees. As a result, moving around the city – and even in and out of the building – has been painful. One of the original issues …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2025/05/01/getting-around-in-paris-an-update/
May 12
Since Vietnam is a former French colony, it makes sense that one can find Vietnamese food in Paris and other large cities. We didn’t expect to find a Vietnamese restaurant in Domme. Our host at the hotel highly recommended the restaurant, Comptoir d’Annam. The restaurant opened the year after our first trip to the Dordogne. …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/05/12/fish-sauce-in-rural-france/
May 11
On the last leg of our journey, we had two side trips – one intentional, one accidental. Julian noted that our route from San Sebastian to Domme passed near Lourdes. We were game to see it, so off we went. For those unfamiliar with the story, this article can bring you up to speed. Miracle …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/05/11/two-side-trips/
Apr 28
We’re back in France, this time in the Dordogne Valley to revisit the bastides. We were first here in 2015. These are hilltop fortress towns that were fought over for centuries. Now tourists fight over limited parking spaces in these towns. Our home base, as it was seven years ago, is Domme. This is a …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/28/back-to-the-bastides/
Apr 18
You may recall the story of the Pont des Arts in Paris. Couples would attach padlocks to the wire grates on the bridge to signify their love. Unfortunately, the weight of the padlocks caused several of the bridge railings to crash into the Seine. I wrote about it in this post. This is what the …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/18/love-finds-a-way/
Apr 17
Easter is a big deal in Paris. It’s a religious holiday, and the kids are out of school tomorrow. Today’s a big deal for me as well, as it was 40 years ago today when I was nearly killed in an auto accident. Most years the day goes by without my remembering, but this year …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/17/easter-in-paris/
Apr 17
Doing laundry is inevitable on a lengthy vacation. While having a washer and dryer in a rental apartment seems to be the ideal situation, French home laundry appliances are inscrutable to these two Yankees. The dryers are rarely vented to the outdoors, so it takes forever to get even the smallest load dry. Our apartment …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/17/laundry-a-la-francaise/
Apr 16
Paris is in a constant state of reconstruction. Centuries-old buildings have been retrofitted over the years with indoor plumbing, electricity, telephones, and internet connections. Some buildings need to be strengthened as old bricks and mortar deteriorate. The building we’re staying in will undergo a renovation after we depart. By far the biggest construction project in …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/16/under-reconstruction/
Apr 16
I think the pandemic has affected French fashion much as it has American. We’ve always been amazed that the average Parisian dresses in black and dull-colored clothes, even though the clothing racks in department stores here show eye-popping hues. This year the populace has doubled down on dullness. I haven’t seen many stiletto heels strolling …
Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2022/04/16/not-quite-haute-couture/
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