Expat with Kids in Paris: market

Showing posts with label market. Show all posts

December 24, 2020

X-mas plans have changed...

Change of plans... our Christmas in Naples has been cancelled due to Italy going into lockdown as of Dec 24th. Before we knew it, our family of four were on the last plane back to Paris transiting through a completely deserted airport.

Long gone are the days of pre-Christmas holiday travel stress when easyjet canceled flights at midnight on Dec 23rd or Alitalia doesn't deliver your suitcase until 4 days after Christmas and you've been wearing the same clothes throughout the all the festivities... yes, we've had our fair share of Christmas travel adventures!

This morning I was out and about early to avoid the Parisian crowds... orata, gamberi, tortellini, panettone, dolcetti for the Italian tradition... turkey, cranberry sauce, mince pies, christmas pudding, mistletoe, poinsettia and lots of Christmas glitter for the Anglo saxon celebration.

Luckily I had secretly popped out to buy a proper Christmas tree the week before... all it took was Expat Girl expressing a wish to have a tree that reaches the ceiling... how could I refuse... I know, it is not really sustainable... but then again we have been stuck inside for most of this year. This was my treat!

So, we are now in business for Neapolitan Natale tonight and British Christmas tomorrow! I'm just wondering if I can sneak in a French "Bûche de Noël" into the menu.

Tanti Auguri di Buon Natale! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

First time we'll be spending Christmas in Paris

Deserted Napoli airport on Dec 23rd

Woman on a mission early morning Dec 24th

A little culinary indulgence at La Grande Epicerie

Our local market in full swing

Thank Goodness for Marks & Sparks, where else would I find all the British Christmas goodies?

Who knew that Mistletoe was called Gui in French?

May 28, 2020

A colourful moment at the market

Today I ventured down to the local market curious to see how they coped with the government's Covid restrictions knowing that the Avenue President Wilson's market is the largest open-air market in Paris. Apparently this is where all the top three-star chefs come pick the best products.

As always, there were multiple stands with a wide array of prepared foods, cheese, produce, fish, meat, breads and pastries, olives, dried fruits and flowers as well as some less interesting clothing goods.

What changed was the space left between each stand and the little amount of people. Usually this place is brimming with shoppers and you need to squeeze around the food trolleys and baskets. Today, however, there were few queues at select stands and lots of moving space to avoid close contact with others. All in all, it was a rather pleasant experience albeit the untypical circumstances.

What makes the farmers' market such a special place is that it creates a community around food. Just take a glimpse of some of the lovely stands that typify the President Wilson market:

Who can resist "produits italiens"?

A splash of my favourite colour

Sheets of see-thru plastic are wrapped around most stalls

in order to protect produce

A tropical vibe

Ratatouille anyone?!?

Essential ingredients for a "Soupe à l'onion"

Loyal clientele

Home-made apple juice

Loving these colours

Fresh eggs, anyone?

My favourite fish mongrel

I'll take a kilo of that, please.

May is not a month for oysters as it does not have an "r"

Could not resist a shot of the fish packaging

December 1, 2019

November week in pictures

Taking advantage of all Paris has to offer and enjoying the vibes all while ignoring the agressive cars honking, the unfriendly waiters serving and the looming general strike ahead!

Friday morning breakfast on the Eiffel tower and the sun is shining...

Paris on its best behaviour!

Visit to the French National Library on a Saturday afternoon.

Discovering the art in Paris' metro stations.

A Sunday afternoon stroll with Paris dressed in autumn colours.

Monday night and I'd rather walk than take the metro.

A cultural evening out at the Grand Palais followed by ...

... un chocolat chaud entre copines at the bistro around the corner.

Wednesday evening the lights went out for a second in our arrondissement... that was a first!

Thursday is Thanksgiving and the preparations are in full swing

Friday at the Swedish Christmas market looking for goodies...

... and discovering new parts of town.

Saturday morning and Expat Boy brought back a Milanese panettone!

December 16, 2018

When the little ones go shopping...

One of my favourite events at school is the Primary School Holiday Bazaar. Weeks before parents get together with their children to craft and prepare little gifts which are all sold throughout the day in little stalls manned by the parents in the school's gym.

From Nursery children to the 5th Graders, they all get a chance to browse through the gift stands in search of the perfect Christmas present for Mum, Dad, Granny or Grandpa. Many come looking for something for their teacher. The offer is vast and all is homemade. The choice is not easy and it is delightful to watch the kids trying to decide what to buy. All the proceeds go to charity.

Although my children have long outgrown Primary School I make it my yearly tradition to man a stand full of glitter and festive deco. The Nutcrackers - sent to me by my very supportive Dutch friend living in the US - are a hit as is the Candy Cane! Touché! Yes, my table would be the one with imported rather than homemade products... but it is all for a good cause!

The Holiday Bazaar is my way of kicking off the Christmas season and I would not miss watching those busy little faces for the world! Happy Holidays!