On our second full day back in Paris; the Missus decided on getting a few things done. First, She wanted to see the view from Montmartre, the highest hill in the city, and then get some shopping done. So we headed off.
The morning was grey and drizzly, which didn't make viewing potential from Montmartre very high, but if there is one thing we've learned from travelling, it is you can't control the weather.
Even on a gloomy day like this one; Pont Alexandre III is quite picturesque.
It is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and there are quite a few stories about it as well.
We headed past those familiar places.
Up to Rue Lazare and past Église de la Sainte-Trinité.
Up past place Pigalle. We somehow came upon a brick church.
This is Eglise Saint Jean de Montmartre. It looked a bit different than other churches we've come across in Paris and it started to drizzle. We took that as sign to stop and visit the church.
Created in the Art Nouveau style, there's a lot packed into this little church.
I really enjoyed the vivid stained glass…..
When we turned the corner we could see Sacre Coeur in the background along with the funicular tracks and stairs. This being the Missus….well, we took the stairs….all 300 of them.
I'm not sure why the Missus loves climbing those stairs so much.
Perhaps She is concerned about my cardiovascular well being?
Anyway, we did make it to the top…..
The view is still worth the climb even on a gloomy day as this.
And looking back at Sacre Coeur, it looked like there was the possibility of sun…..
The Missus decided not to go into the church, so instead we headed down the winding streets…passing tons of tourists and shop that seem to cater to them.
We did pass through a couple of squares that had little fairs going on.
And the Missus enjoyed doing some window shopping while we strolled down the hill.
And while we did enter a couple shops, the Missus refrained from buying anything….I believe She as saving Herself and my credit card for later on in the day.
One thing that did catch my eye was this windmill.
Apparently there were once a dozen or so of these windmills in Montmartre. Today there are two left. They are known as Le Moulin de la Galette and were built in the early 17th century. This one is viewable from Rue Lepic and stands above a restaurant that also bears the name Le Moulin de la Galette.
In the mid to late 1800's the area where the restaurant resides was turned into a Guinguette, basically a type of bar. The windmill and guinguette became the muse of many of the artists who spent their time here. Some familiar names like Renoir, Van Gogh (who had an apartment nearby), Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso among them. And, did you know that it was used on the cover of one of my favorite Rod Stewart albums?
I love stories like this.
We headed a bit further down the street and the Missus decided that we should get something light to eat. There was a Boulangerie on my list named Gontran Cherrier. There are multiple locations of this shop in Paris (including Japan, Singapore, and South Korea). This however, is Gontran Cherrier's original shop.
It was easy to pick out what we wanted….the Missus had decided to try at least half a dozen croissants in Paris, so this would be the first. We also got a sandwich; a veggie version. The miso bread would have to wait for another day.
The line moved fast; the service was efficient, and the folks quite nice.
The croissant could have used a bit more salt, but it was decently buttery, flakey, with a nice, very mild chew. This would end up being one of our favorites in Paris.
The sandwich was just what we needed….the baguette crusty, the cucumbers and tomatoes full of the flavor….the slight bitterness of the arugula helping to balance out the sweetness and mild briny flavor of the cucumber.
Gontran Cherrier
22 Rue Caulaincourt
Paris, France
(There are several other locations in Paris)
The Missus was now energized and ready to do Her "serious" shopping. We headed down the hill…….passing the (in)famous Moulin Rouge (lots on the windmills and the one on Moulin Rouge here)
We headed down Rue Blanche, taking note of the businesses along the way.
Of course the Missus wanted to stop by Galeries Lafayette to check out the Christmas Displays yet again.
A short while later we were back at Chanel Cambon. You pretty much get your own personal shopper here….while the Missus and the very nice young lady did their thing, I had a chance to watch the "interesting" customers.
Mission accomplished, the Missus could get back to the apartment fast enough……
She got what She wanted…….
And it was time for a nap.
Thanks for stopping by!
This is the menu of what's available in the counter. There's also another menu board listing prices of pre-order whole items (tarts and quiches). 
It's not large inside; two glass refrigerated cases and a glass window at eye level. The breads available are to the right. There are some salads, fruit cups and fresh juice in the open refrigerated section just below along with bottled/canned beverages. Of course there is coffee available, in many forms. 
A (proper) nice baguette is $3. 
Sweets behind the glass window.
Ham and cheese croissant ($4.75)
Black forest ham, Gruyere and Béchamel. Wonderful flavors on a buttery croissant. 
There are 'egg bites' and quiches. 
The Lorraine ($6.75) includes bacon, ham, onion and Swiss. It is quite a large serving. The pastry is light and crumbly. So very fresh. 
There is a selection of sandwiches on baguettes, around $8.
Or, if you aren't as hungry, there is a smaller sandwich on a ficelle (Similar to a baguette but thinner; 'ficelle' means 'string' in French) ($4.95).
Prosciutto, Brie, arugula and fig spread. The combination of salty, sweet, tart/bitter with the yeasty bread is just so right. 
So many sweets to choose from. The pear tart ($4.75) was excellent. There's a layer of pastry cream on the crumbly crust, then the glaze and pear and nuts and a blackberry and it's all so very, very decadent. 
Pretty much every time I feel overwhelmed with choices, reverting back to an old favorite, the almond croissant ($4.25) will always be a choice. 
