Public service announcement for friends and family back in America: The World Cup is happening. (If your acquaintances from other parts of the world are in unusually jolly or somber moods, this probably has something to do with it.)
Anyway, France had a big win against Nigeria tonight and we happened to be on the Champs Élysées during the match. As the game ended, at least 100 police vans full of cops in riot gear materialized out of nowhere. In short order they blocked intersecting traffic, herded people away from the curbs, and even shut down many of the famous stores (sorry Kelly S., your Louis Vuitton bag may have to wait).
It seemed like overkill at first, but a few minutes later every crazy soccer fan in greater Paris was driving, walking, motorcycling, or biking down the boulevard–all of them honking or screaming or dancing. It was all a bit overwhelming, but everyone seemed to be having a great time and it never felt like it was on the brink of anything violent or dangerous.
Check out this short video to get some idea of the crazy scene. Allez Les Bleus!
I hope you still were able to get to Laduree and have a few Macarons! It’d be tragic to be so close and not go! Bon sejour a Paris!!!
Not sure whether Ladurée was also blocked off by the riot police, but it certainly was swarmed with hungry tourists when we saw it. The line stretched around the block. It also seemed to be composed almost entirely of young Japanese couples, so Tokyo’s answer to Rick Steves must have put Ladurée on his list of don’t-miss stops in Paris. We’ve been getting our pastry fix from Eric Kayser, who has a shop right across the street from our apartment. But based on your note we may have to make another attempt at Ladurée.
Also try Pierre Hermé for some exotic flavours. Ladurée is good, but Grégory Renard is better. 🙂
Uhmmm food, more food:
http://fabricantdedouceurs.laduree.com/en_int/#!houses
At Laduree (75 Champs Elysees), please please please, savor:
– a rose macaron,
– a Religieuse a la framboise:
http://fabricantdedouceurs.laduree.com/fr_fr/religieuse-rose-framboise
Take out and walk down the Champs all the way to Jardin de Tuileries, grab a traditional chair and watch the kids sail their mini boats on the “pond”..Parisian style 😉
If you like Chocolate:
– Pierre Herme, in the 6th arrondissement, try his chocolates and his unique Ispahan croissant
http://www.pierreherme.com/storelocations/?city=France&name=Bonaparte+-+Paris+6%C2%B0
– La Maison du chocolat: http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/boutiques.php#1/1
If I remember correctly there is a Maison du Chocolat shop just 2 or 3 blocks from Laduree, same side of the Champs but 1 block over.
If you like tea:
– Mariage Freres, providers of the MOST WONDERFUL teas in the world: 260 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8e. You must try the Sakura teas whether you like black, green or white.
http://www.mariagefreres.com/boutique/FR/vt+adresses.html
Have a wonderful time!