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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Baguette Stalker

Posted by pece at 12:28 AM

"Parisien Boy" by photographer Willie Ronis

Don't most of us know this world famous photo by Willie Ronis of a Parisien boy carrying a baguette?

But who knew that Parisiens actually do walk around with a loaf of bread under their arms in broad daylight!? And look at these two sisters getting the training early.
Naturally the older sister gets to carry the bread or baguette...humph!
Can you tell I'm a younger sister?
I spotted this woman coming out of a boulangerie and followed her, hoping for a shot of this strictly French phenomenon...
Uh oh! She's spotted me stalking her.
Gawd, you'd think with at least 6 baguettes under her arm, she was getting in supplies for a restaurant? But pas de tout. It's the norm to stock up for the day.
Isn't this the typical Frenchman?
Trying to decide what wine will go best with his bread...
Here's something else about this peculiar phenomenon...
French people are content to walk around with their bread PRACTICALLY NAKED! completely exposed to the air and to street polution with just a tiny paper "diaper" around the thing!!! Wa'?
I have a favorite boulangerie where I go for a wonderfully grainy, nutty baguette on rue Vavin. It has no name so don't even think of asking.
But why is it, when I go in, the saleswoman, before I even open my mouth, takes my baguette, neatly cuts it in half and sticks the cut ends into the bag so no bare bits are hanging? How did she know I was a crazy-hygenic American? It must have been the way I knotted my scarf...
The end of this fab bread, which Rick says I must tear off and eat immediately in the street. It's de riguer. I admit I at first bought their bread just for this adorable bag...
Oh and here's another rule of thumb in France. When eating in a restaurant or as a guest at someone's home, ALWAYS take your half-eaten bread and PLACE IT ON THE TABLE! Do not ask for a bread plate. When you're home alone you can put your bread on a plate or whatever...
A PB reader told me I MUST go into this boulangerie on 64, rue Saint-Dominque 75007 and I'm so glad I did! Big Merci!
There are perhaps 6 of these Le Moulin de la Vierge throughout Paris and they are all equally beautiful.

Did I mention that everything tasted absolutely DIVINE!

The French love these little worker figurines (a bit like garden gnomes...non?) still very sweet.

Another bread phenomenon you'll see everywhere. Not only restaurant menus are out in the street to peruse. Bread menus are there for a quick read too....

And what happens to the bread you don't carry around under your arm - it becomes delicious sandwiches like these at SECCO (formerly Poujauran - they bought all of his recipes by the way) at 18, rue Jean Nicot 75007

Regarde!(Look!)

French babies start the training while still in their strollers!!

Don't we all want to pass as Parisiens? Admit it.

Here are some rules (regles) to follow:

1. Get on a line, any line.
2. Carry a loaf of bread under your arm, preferably naked (I mean the bread! not you).
3. Walk with a straight-legged stride.
4. Never run across the street. NEVER! Your straight-legged stride will get you quickly and expediently across the street. Plus drivers will see your baguette like a flashing headlight.
5. NEVER wear a hat even in the Artic temperatures (frequent in Paris).
6. OK You must wrap 9 yards of fabric around your neck at all times, but you've heard that one already a million times.
Oh and try to keep your mouth shut (the biggest give-away)
AND DON'T WEAR SNEAKERS!!!
I overheard a saleswoman saying,
"I can always tell ze Americains by their shoes"

7. And find a dog to drag around after you.
~

BONJOUR MARDI!!!

 

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