Paris – Musée National Picasso, A. Lacroix Pâtissier, and Brunch at Le Saint-Regis

Day six of our two week stay in Paris was a Sunday and I had an idea. During the first Sunday of the month, many museums have free admission. The Musée National Picasso was fairly close by and opened at 930am, which would mean less crowds. We had already been to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, so we thought this might be an interesting place to check out. After getting croissants from one of the nearby Boulangeries and a morning coffee we headed out.

The museum is housed in the very impressive Hôtel Salé, which was built in the 17th century.

One of the special exhibitions during the time we visited was an exhibition based on Maya Ruiz-Picasso, one of four known children of Pablo Picasso, born of Marie-Thérèse Walter one of seven known "partners" of the artist (who was also married twice – shades of Diego Rivera). Young Maya was quite the muse to her father as a child and became devoted to the study of her father as well as an expert on his works. She also had quite the collection which was on display as well as many photographs.

We sometimes find that the artists are even more interesting than their works.

We enjoyed our one hour visit.

Sadly, Maya Ruiz-Picasso passed away just a couple of weeks after our visit.

Musée National Picasso
5 Rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris, France

After our visit we crossed on over to Île de la Cité taking a quick look at Notre Dame, then on over to the left bank, where we came across yet another Patisserie.

Where the offerings looked lovely, thus the Missus bought a couple of items for le goûter (tea time) later in the day.

The "Notre Dame", the one looking like a green apple and full of confit pomme verte (green apple of course) was actually quite good, not sweet, fairly tart, nice with tea.

A. Lacroix Pâtissier
11 Quai de Montebello
75005 Paris, France

We decided to cross back over one Île Saint-Louis, the island right next to Île de la Cité. Passing Le Saint-Regis, we decided to stop in for lunch. We had previously enjoyed having coffee here and had noticed that the food looked decent. Plus, those al fresco tables looked perfect for people watching.

The Missus had enjoyed the Salmon Benedict (19€/$20.35) She'd had in Montpelier earlier in the trip, so She decided to try them here.

The "salmon" here was lox, which had been nicely cured and quite tender without being too salty, the eggs were nicely poached, and the Hollandaise was smooth and not overly buttery. 

I got the Salmon – Avocado Tartare (17€/$18.25).

Man, where do they get the avocado here? It was perfectly ripe and creamy. It went well with the salmon. I enjoyed the mustard vinaigrette and the pleasantly biter greens.

It was a nice brunch and we'd gladly return. Also, not sure if it was just me, but it seemed like prices in Paris were cheaper than in San Diego?

Le Saint-Regis
6 Rue Jean du Bellay
75004 Paris, France

We strolled down Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île.

Stopping to peek in at various shops….especially if we saw pooches. Like this fella' whom we deemed "Winston" as we saw him amble into one of the bakeries.

He was obviously more interested in visiting the bouchon…..

And then we crossed the Seine on the Pont Marie. This being Paris, there are many historical sites.

That is Fontaine de Jarente.

And then there are "other places" along the way….