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L’ Éclair de Génie

18 de February de 2016 — by Carol Pio Pedro — 0

Think of a delicious éclair! Now imagine having several options of it in a stylish colorful store that has reinvented this classic French pastry and offers unexpected flavors according to Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer collections!!!!!

Every season, new flavors! The Autumn/Winter collection, for example, is loaded with chocolate, coffee, walnut, pistachio, etc. While in summertime they bring refreshing versions with lemon, raspberry and passion fruit.

Besides the éclairs, L’Éclair de Génie, also offers many sorts of sweets, such as chocolate bars, chocolate hazelnut butter, pots of caramels and crunchy caramelized hazelnuts (good choices for gifts)!

Prices are fairly high, but it is worth every penny and calorie. The éclairs range from 4.50€ to 6.00€. The candy boxes (2 to 16 units) cost between 3€- 23€. They also have wonderful kits to sell on special holidays (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day).

I watched the éclairs production at “La Fabrique”, their shop responsible for producing and distributing all pastries in Paris. Of course I tasted some of them!

La Fabrique is located on 32 rue Notre Dame des Victoires, 75002. For other shops addresses click here.

The person responsible for taking éclairs to the next level is the well-known pastry chef, Christophe Adam, head of legendary French épicerie Fauchon for more than 15 years. In 2012 he opened his first L’Éclair de Génie boutique in the heart of Paris. Nowadays there are six boutiques across the city + 3 in Japan and he is now expanding his business to Hong Kong.

Please, please, when is it coming to Brazil?

leclairdegenie.com

Bisous,

Carol

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Les Invalides

1 de February de 2016 — by Carol Pio Pedro — 0

Crossing the Pont Alexandre III, in the opposite direction from Grand Palais and Petit Palais, we come across Hotel des Invalides and the golden dome of its church.. A must-see place, even for those who are not into war stories.

Until the XVII century there was not a specific place to house invalid soldiers of the French army. In 1670, Louis XIV ordered the creation of Les Invalides to house the veterans of his wars. The first residents settled there during its construction in 1674.

Over the years the large complex had included hospital, hospice, convent and even small factories. It was a real city ruled by the military system supported by Church. Thirty years after the start of its construction, Les Invalides was already home to 4,000 residents. Those were supervised by their officers, divided by military unit. The most skilled ones stood guard, mainly at the Bastille. The other ones worked in footwear, upholstery and lighting workshops.

In 1840, Napoleon Bonaparte reorganized the institution and transformed the Church of St. Louis in the national military pantheon, turning it into a Cathedral, now called Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides. This was the tallest monument in Paris until the construction of Eiffel Tower. Right there, under its great dome, is the tomb of the Emperor, with the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Les Invalides is listed as a historic monument and known as an important center of national memory.

Nowadays Les Invalides continues with its activities, among them the operation of the Military Hospital and the following museums: Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération (Order established by General De Gaulle), Musée des Plans-Reliefs (collection of historic models) and the most famous, Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum), and the Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides.

Where: Les Invalides – 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
How much: € 11 (full price) – access to 3 museums + church. To visit the gardens and main courtyard the admission is free.
When: open daily
Access: Metro Invalides – lines 8 and 13 | RER C – Invalides station

Bisous

Carol

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Garden of Petit Palais – secret oasis!

15 de December de 2015 — by Carol Pio Pedro — 0

My tip of the day is one of my favorite and hidden places in Paris! Those who follow 30 Jours à Paris on instagram have already noticed that I’m a huge fan of this spot and whenever I can I share new angles of this secret oasis that garden of Petit Palais is!

Although little known by tourists, it is located in one of the most visited areas in the city, between Les Invalides and Champs-Élysées, just a few steps from Pont Alexandre III, nearby Grand Palais.

The entrance to visit the permanent collection of art is free but not less important than other museums. It holds works by Rodin, Delacroix, among others, arranged along wide corridors and galleries.

But the architecture and decoration are worth to notice too! Petit Palais was built in 1900, along with Grand Palais and Pont Alexandre III, for the Universal Exhibition in Paris. The lobby is quite impressive and imposing! But the masterpiece, in my opinion, is the internal garden located in the middle of the palace with beautiful landscaping and sculptures, surrounded by large columns and a stunning mosaic floor! For those who have a thing with mosaic floors I strongly advise not to miss it!

Stunning mosaic floor surrounding the internal garden.

The internal garden counts with a charming cafe with good options for breakfast and lunch. It’s a good alternative to escape from the crowds and to discover an unique and peaceful place that Paris reveals!

Where: Petit Palais – Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
How much: free admission
Metro: Champs-Elysees Clemenceau station (lines 1 et 13)
Hours: TUE to SUN from 10am to 6pm

Bisous

Carol

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