Parc des Buttes Chaumont (Celine NYC)

If you’re in Paris in summer, you’ll pretty quickly realize that as soon as the sun starts to glimmer, Parisians grind into picnic gear. However, despite informal appearances, there is a complex and unspoken code of conduct to be adhered to in order to avoid unforgivable picnic faux pas.

Do dress appropriately.

It is important to give the air of not trying very hard. For girls: a categorical ‘no’ to heels and look-at-me makeup.  For guys: forget smart suits or bling sportswear, it’s all about skinny jeans and scarves. Subtle colour and pattern coordination are à la mode. Hats highly recommended.

Gail Tang

Do arrive late.

It is useless to turn up anywhere near the appointed picnic hour. It is best to saunter up several hours in, give a slightly (don’t overdo it) apologetic smile, whilst simultaneously giving the impression that your diary is over-spilling with très fun engagements and that the organiser should therefore be delighted that you’ve managed to squeeze them in.

Karigee

Do invite lots of friends.

The concept of ‘the more the merrier’ is de rigueur. Whereas the biting winter winds keep Parisians at home or drives them (penguin-style) into crowded, sweaty bars, the warm summer weather democratizes social gatherings, which are known to take on gigantesque proportions!

Do not buy ready-made sandwiches.

It is unacceptable to pop to the supermarket and pick up a long-life cellophane-encased creation that deigns to call itself a ‘sandwich’. A fresh baguette, some cheese and charcuterie are the bare minimum.

A delicious french picnic (Scorbs)

Do prepare elaborate dishes.

I.E., quiches & salads. Always present the dish while mumbling something along the lines of, ‘Didn’t have much time, just a little something I threw together…’ As with the dress code, it is important to make it all seem oh-so effortless.

Do experiment with people-meeting techniques

Concoct a (mildly) plausible excuse to approach the targeted stranger(s) and casually wander over. I suggest ‘The forgotten corkscrew’, ‘The over-inquisitive dog*’ or ‘The do-you-have-any-spare glasses’ scenarios, but your imagination is the limit! Although Parisians usually frown upon general interactions with strangers, come summer, icy propriety starts to melt – well, just a little.

*Please note that bringing a dog to culinary gatherings is not considered unhygienic or inappropriate.

Canal Saint Martin, typical picnic supplies (Thatgirl; Matthew Kebbekus)

Do choose the right location.

Here’s the lowdown on some of my favorite places to picnic:

- Buttes Chaumont, 19ème (Plus: largest park in Paris with trees, waterfalls & a lake. Minus: hilly and thus lots of potential for spillage & bottle rolling).

- La Seine (Plus: picture postcard setting. Minus: loud tourists on boats, the occasional wandering bum.)

- Canal St Martin, 10ème (Plus: Trendy hotspot, great people-watching, plentiful surrounding bars for après-picnic festivities. Minus: very little grass, quiet or room to spread a blanket/do acrobatics).

Presta

Further afield (well, beyond the safe confines of the 20 arrondissements):

- Bois de Vicennes (Plus: huge and green with lots of trees, 2,458 acres to be precise – that’s 3 times bigger than Central Park & 4 times bigger than Hyde Park. Minus: Far away from the center of it all (in Parisian terms) and beaucoup de getting-lost opportunities).

- Bois de Boulogne (Plus: same as above, although a little bit smaller with its (still very) respectable 2,090 acres. Minus, doubles up as Paris’s red light district at night!)

With these tips, we hope you’ll have everything you need to be a smashing pique-nique success. The best of luck and bon appétit!

Joe Shlabotnik

Related Links:

• In other Paris news, Kim from I Heart Paris writes about soon-to-be-fully-booked resto Au Passage. Get there now!
• Had enough food? Carams has some gorgeous pics of Paris Plage
• Parisien Salon also has a shortlist of cool events happening in Paris in August

Written by Victoria Wall for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

I’ve always thought of Paris as the ultimate adult playground. But Paris for the under-four-foot set? I wasn’t so sure.

That’s why discovering kid-friendly Paris (yes, it exists!) has been such a happy surprise. When the kids tire of museums and medieval churches (dubiously labeled “kid-friendly” by many a travel guide) put the Luxemburg Gardens on your family game plan. Even if much of the grass is interdit, there’s more than enough here to tire out your little travelers leaving papa et maman to enjoy an evening à deux.

Ktylerconk

Here are some of my family’s favorite diversions within the gates of Paris’ most beloved jardin.

Poussin Vert: Hands down, the best playground Paris. Packed with jeux and completely enclosed, it has a sandbox, train and small slides for toddlers; a Spiderman-worthy climbing structure and rope swings for bigger kids. A snack stand at the entrance offers coffee (decent enough in a caffeine pinch) and sugary snacks. The playground draws chic locals from the 6eme, a raucous crowd of petits Parisians, plus the occasional visiting celeb (we recently spotted photographer Annie Leibowitz with her clan). On-site toilettes(pretty, they’re not) are helpful for little emergencies. The 2€ entrance fee (for kids and adults) is good for the whole day so grab a hand stamp on your way out.

Luxembourg Garden Sandbox (Ktylerconk)

Le Théâtre des Marionnettes: The original and still the best puppet show in Paris. Since, 1933 les marionnettes, headlined by Monsieur Guignol, have been delighting French children with classic tales like Les Trois Petits Cochons and Les Dernières Aventures de Pinnocchio. It’s kids-only in the first four rows so arrive early for best seating. And don’t forget a snack (preferably chocolate) for the brief intermission. You’ll be amazed at the sweet bons bons and biscuits these kids consume.

Florian Seroussi

Crepes, anyone? When happy offspring turn into hungry monsters, grab a seat in the shade next to the gravel-filled pétanque piste and take in a match while enjoying a warm crepe au nutella. (Word to the wise: skip the soupe à l’oignon). You’ll feel like you’re on the set of a 1940’s Truffaut film as stooped, cap-wearing gentlemen square off on dusty pitches reminiscent of Provence.

Le Manège Garnier: As far as kids’ activities go, I tend to think carousels offer the worst bang for your buck. Two euros for three minutes of fun? But in this case, we make an exception for the chance to ride on one of the city’s most charming originals (built in 1879 by Charles Garnier, architect of the Opera de Paris). Kids love to play chevalier by hooking the carousel’s “keys” on a tiny wooden lance astride one of 22 painted horses. A delight!

Le Manège (Nmatiny)

Les Bateaux à Voiles: It’s the quintessential activity for Parisian children and a must for any child’s visit to Paris. For just 2€ for 30 minutes, hire a vintage model sailboat and push it across the fountain in the shadow of Marie de Medicis’s 17^th century Palais du Luxembourg (seat of the French Senate). Drag a chaise across the dusty gravel and lézarde (literally, lie like a lizard) in the Parisian sunshine. This is family Paris at its finest. Summer afternoons also offer free outdoor music; come early to hear Chopin on Sundays on July.

Wallyg

Not tired yet? Vintage metal go-carts can be hired for a peddle around a make-shift race track in the shade. Take the carts for a spin on spring and summer afternoons behind the Poussin Vert. And for the icing on le gâteau, little horse-lovers can even take a leisurely ride on some (admittedly tired-looking) ponies. After all, what little Parisian doesn’t love a pony?

Ktylerconk

Related Links:

• Paris Mome – A great guide to Paris for kids in English and French (You can download a pdf in English)
• Worried about dining out with kids in Paris? Check out Tory’s tips on dining discreetly in Paris and on kid-friendly activities in Paris
• Need a super kid-friendly lunch spot? How about the eatery inside Bonpoint, the famous French children’s clothing store.
• Where’s Bryan has an unusual experience at the Jardin des Plantes… Another great place to bring kids in Paris!

Written by Paige Bradley Frost for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Summer is here and the crowds are starting to flee Paris for the coast. As I tend to do things in reverse and will be staying in Paris this July to enjoy all of the amazing summer festivals and events, I hit Brittany for a two-week jaunt in May, just before the summer throngs descended upon its lovely shores.

Canal Nantes – Brest

After searching long and hard, mere days before our departure, for last minute lodging that would be not only earth-friendly and green, but appealing and available, I stumbled upon two different eco-homes in Brittany that were, amazingly, available for our dates. Note to self: Planning in advance can be helpful, but if you are willing to chance it, great places that are still available are often ready to discount in the spring. Plus the weather is fabulous and the beaches are empty!

Ground House – Mellionec, Brittany

Our first week was spent in the Ground House , located in the center of Brittany’s rolling green farmland in the town of Mellionnec, one hour from the ocean. This completely self-sustaining eco home, built into the earth on one side and full of huge windows overlooking the garden on the other, was just the thing we were looking for. Built by its English owners and featured on the famous UK show ‘Grand Designs‘, this passive solar house was built with salvaged materials and features an organic garden, a compost heap, dry/composting toilets, and solar heated rainwater for hot water.

Canal Nantes Brest / Farm Centre Bretagne

Not well known, the center of Brittany (Centre Bretagne) offers an abundance of hiking, walking and biking options. Additionally, we were pleased to discover that the area immediately surrounding the Ground House is a serious haven for bio (the French word for organic) fans, with an organic grocery store, a couple of organic restaurants, local artisans, organic shops, and markets where local farmers sell their produce, meat and dairy directly.

Ground House

Nothing beats a week of eating local food, sleeping, reading, walking, biking, hiking, and cooking. We were even able to arrange for a few delicious home cooked French meals to be prepared and delivered by the caretaker of the house.

Ground House

Not to be missed: walking along the Nantes Brest Canal; Tremargat and its potter; the organic baker and organic food coop in Mellionec; and lovely hiking in the Foret de Quenecan followed by a visit to the Abbey of Bon Repos.

The second week of our vacation was spent in another eco home built by its French owners in the small village of Tremeoc in the Finistère region of Brittany. This time we were just minutes from the ocean.

Eco House – Tremeoc, Brittany

The owners of this lovely and comfortable home made sure that everything in the house was as green as possible. It was built completely of wood with solar panels, an organic garden, and rainwater collection on the roof. Even the natural foam mattress was made nearby in Brittany… We were comfy, cozy and eco-friendly. There were certainly no microwaves, dishwashers or dryers in either of these green homes.

Interior – Tremeoc

More hiking (the GR 34 was right outside our door), reading, market shopping, cooking, lots of ice cream, buttery regional biscuits (a specialty), crepes and cider were on the menu.

Outside the sleepy (in May) beach town of Benodet, we stumbled upon a friendly cliff-top spa overlooking the ocean in the Pointe St Gilles campground, where we went for sauna, massage, hamman, pool, jacuzzi, and more.

Eco House Interior – Tremeoc / Exterior

Some local highlights not to be missed: Locronan, one of the most beautiful villages in France; Pont D’Aven; hiking on the GR by Benodet,; the GR 34 in Pont D’Aven; a sundae at the restaurant on the port (Les Mimosas); and the Crêperie Bio by the church in Quimperlé.

Two weeks flew by …. and not one day of rain. Who said it rains all the time in Brittany?

Field – Centre Bretagne

Local links near Ground House:

• Ground house website
• Link to the book on building your very own Eco Earth friendly House!
• Abbeye du bon repos
• Coriandre – organic restaurant in Tremargat
• Local tourist info
• Another great looking place to stay

Local links near Tremeoc:

• Our cute eco house
• Benodet beach town
• Spa at the Point St Gilles

Site for Eco lodging in France and elsewhere

Another site for amazing looking vacation spots

Written by Erica Berman for the Hip Paris Blog. All photos taken by Erica Berman. For our amazing rentals in Paris, Provence & Tuscany check out our website Haven in Paris.

Kitchen at Camont - Tim Clinch

While I love the pace of a vibrant city like Paris, I’m a New England girl at heart. As such, there’s nothing like a big green vista or a vast ocean to make me feel at home.

On my latest trip abroad – which started off with a bang last week at the lovely Chateau de Raissac (more to come on that later) – I’m scheming up several more excursions beyond the fairest city to see the landscapes of Normandy and explore the farms and vineyards of Provence. While bopping across the country, I’m hoping to make a short jaunt to visit a new virtual friend, Kate. We met on Twitter, but I already feel like we’re best friends.

Kitchen at Camont - Tim Clinch

This lovely lady is also American but, unlike me, she’s not the forever-tourist longing to feel at home abroad. Kate Hill is completely at home on a gorgeous 18^th-century, 2-acre farm in Gascony, a region about four hours by train from Paris that she calls “the kitchen of France,” due to its long growing season, ripe land and access to loads of water.

And what is Gascony specifically known for? Oh, just true farm-to-table cooking! You know farm-to-table; it’s the food movement that was way famous over in the European countryside for a few millenia before we Americans decided it was chic a few years ago.

Seriously: Gascony is legendary for pillars of French cuisine like ripe produce, fresh herbs, foie gras, truffles, wine, and the regional delight known as Armagnac.

And Kate should know. She’s a farmer, cookbook author, professional cook, photographer and teacher who liaises with local butchers, bakers and Armagnac-makers in an effort to highlight only the best for her clients. She’s been published in top tier publications like Food & Wine, Bon Appetit and The New York Times. She’s also a real sweetheart.

Kitchen at Camont - Tim Clinch

Are you (like me) looking for a total immersion? I’m hoping to visit Kate for a tiny lunch feast, but my real dream is to spend up to a week (or three) with her learning true Gascon cookery. In a 5-day program alone, I’d learn about the art of butchery and charcuterie, preparing cassoulet and coq au vin and baking traditional baguettes.

Kitchen at Camont – Tim Clinch

Are you looking for an overnight trip from Paris? If you only have a day or weekend, Kate can customize a program just for your group, which will include visiting the best local purveyors (also known as “her friends”) and cooking up a feast together from your finds. Afterward, retreat to your farm-style room to sleep it off and re-energize (for a good night’s sleep and energy) for more eating the next day. You’ll leave with a true understanding of how it all works – from growing, to shopping, to cooking.

Are you a professional or budding food blogger, stylist or photographer? Then put her Natural Light, Natural Food weekend class on your wish list. It’s also on my list, perhaps for a big birthday some year soon. (Yes, my wish list is damn long. My poor, poor husband, eh?)

Whichever class you opt for, you’ll be in good company, as Kate has hosted top food stylists, budding cheese makers and even top cookbook publishers. She’s totally the real deal.

Kitchen at Camont – Tim Clinch

No time to visit Gascony but serious about French cooking? She’s got you covered too. Check out Kate’s delicious recipes online and don’t miss a post on her blog.

Kate can be reached online at her website, via email at katehill@gmail.com or via phone at (33) 05 53 47 56 29. Mention Maggie when you reach out, as she’d be so tickled to know her Twitter buddy sent you.

Related Links:

• The Boston Globe writes about Kate Hill
• LA Times article about Kate Hill
• Kate Hill’s Facebook Page

Written by Maggie Battista for the Hip Paris Blog. For our amazing rentals in Paris, Provence & Tuscany check out our website Haven in Paris.

Erica Berman

These days it’s all about going green, natural, organic, or anything else that is friendly to the environment (and to our bodies).  When you’re home, it’s easy to support local farms through farmers’ markets or buy organic goods from the supermarket, but traveling internationally could pose a threat to your health-conscious lifestyle and eating habits…unless you know where to go to find organic products and eco-friendly services.

In 2009, with the help of President Nicholas Sarkozy, Paris became proactive in supporting organic agriculture.   The government cut subsidies given to large farms and redirected the financial aid to smaller organic and family owned farms.  Paris has been the center of these organic or biologique (or bio) changes and boasts a number of successful organic and natural supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, wine shops, and even hotels.

Little Brown Pen

For those of you lucky enough to rent an apartment and enjoy an extended stay in The City of Light, grocery shopping is a must. Biocoop and Naturalia are two organic supermarkets in the Paris region.  Biocoop has more than 300 stores throughout France and offers organic and fair trade products as well as eco-friendly cosmetics.  At Naturalia , you can pick up anything you need from your typical grocery items like pasta and cheese to useful household items like insect repellent and water filters.  If you’d like to make the most of the chore of food shopping, take a trip to one of the several food markets throughout Paris.  Do as the celebrities do and shop at Marché Raspail , which is Paris’ most famous outdoor food market. It is wholly organic on Sundays (open from 9 am to 2 pm), offering products ranging from produce and meat to jams and vegan pastries.  You’ll go home with an array of delectable and good-for-you goodies.  If you do shop at the Marché Raspail, be prepared to spend a little more than usual, as this market is also Paris’ most expensive organic food market.  In the 17^th arrondissement, the less expensive but equally impressive Marché Batignolles attracts visitors interested in fresh and organic food.  This market is open on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm, and offers a variety of products.  You can even grab a quick lunch while you shop!

larecettedujour

Biocoop (Click on link for all stores)
9 Avenue de Villars
Metró: Saint Francios-Xavier

Naturalia (Click on link for all stores)
11 rue Montorgueil
Metró: Les Halles

Marché Biologique Raspail
Boulevard Raspail, Entre la rue du Cherche-Midi et la rue de Rennes
Metró: Ligne 12 – Rennes
Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm

Marché Biologique Batignolles
Boulevard de Batignolles
Metró: Rome or Place de Clichy
Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm

Little Brown Pen

Boulangeries, Patisseries, and Restaurants

Paris is known for culinary excellence and fresh-baked goods—croissants, baguettes, and fruit tarts that will make your mouth water.  These days it isn’t too hard to find an organic boulangerie or pâtisserie while meandering through the streets of Paris.  Moisan is a 100% organic bakery known for its organic loaves of bread that are crispy on the outside but warm and fluffy on the inside.  This boulangerie provides many companies and hotels with their pastries and breads.  Stop by to pick up a few pastries for breakfast or sit down and enjoy an organic lunch with Moisan’s assortment of sandwiches and quiches.  Even though it’s organic, prices are no higher than the average boulangerie, so go ahead and indulge!

Crepes are also another favorite in Paris, and you can find delicious buckwheat crepes at the organic hotspot Breizh Café.  Breizh Cafe uniquely blends the owners’ ethnic backgrounds—Breton and Japanese—into tasty organic dishes at a reasonable price. They are most famous for their buckwheat crepes filled with a variety of fresh ingredients.  Wash down your meal with a cup of coffee or one of the homemade ciders.

Bio and vegetarian (and even vegan) restaurants have grown popular in Paris, popping up all over the place.  Au Grain de Folie is a small organic and vegetarian restaurant not to miss!  This tiny restaurant in the 18^th arrondissement offers salads, casseroles, tarts, and other dishes that are inspired by French, Greek, Turkish, and Indian cuisine.  Before you go, call ahead for a reservation and stop at the automat for cash since Au Grain de Folie does not accept credit cards.

For another intimate dining experience, go to Le Potager du Marais, another small organic and vegetarian restaurant with the high quality that matches Au Grain de Folie.  The menu is quite extensive, offering numerous appetizers, main courses, and desserts.  Even though the cuisine is vegetarian, non-vegetarians also rave about the food (especially the soups and desserts—chocolate mousse anyone?)  Because the restaurant is small, try to go earlier or make a reservation.

Erica Berman

Boulangerie Moisan
2 Rue de Bazeilles
Metró: Censier-Daubenton

Breizh Café
109, rue Vieille du Temple
Metró: Saint Sebastien-Froissart

Au Grain de Folie
24 rue de La Vieuville
Metró: Abbesses

Le Potager du Marais
22 rue Rambuteau
Metró: Rambuteau

Le Verre Volé – Panoramio.com

Wine Shops

Wine seems to have caught onto the organic trend also.  These “natural” wines are not only made from organic grapes, but the winemakers also harvest these grapes in their natural soil—the soil they originated from.  Winemakers pay close attention to their grapes and treat them with the utmost care, producing fresh wine for you to enjoy.

In the 10^th arrondissement, check out Le Verre Volé, a unique wine bar and restaurant, for an assortment of natural wines.  While you can order wine by the glass (along with something to eat), you can also buy bottles of wine for a reasonable price.  You can enjoy your wine at one of Le Verre Volé’s cozy tables, bring it on a picnic in one of Paris’ beautiful parks, or simply savor a glass in the comfort of your room.

For a wider selection, stop by La Cave des Papilles, which has over 1000 different wines from all the French regions.  The staff is knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to suggestions or recommendations.  Good prices, good service, great wine: what more could you ask for?

Le Verre Volé
67 rue de Lancry
Metró: Jacques Bonsergent

La Cave des Papilles
35 rue Daguerre
Metró: Denfert Rochereau

You might also be interested in…

• Organic Dining on Secrets in Paris
• David Lebovitz’s guide to Vegetarian dining in Paris
• … his tips on Gluten-free dining in Paris
• The Paris Traveler’s favorite Paris markets
  

To read this post in full on Robin’s blog, My Mélange, click here. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

It seems somewhat unnecessary to write a post of this nature, given that any part of Paris could be considered an ideal place to loiter. A blind-folded novice could be dropped in any corner of this city and, after a few minutes of wandering, would have no trouble finding a scenic spot in which to spend a few hours. There are almost too many places to park oneself for a morning or afternoon (or, hey, a whole day), which is why I’ve come up with a list of a few standouts that I return to again and again.

Note: I’m assuming that the city’s big gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg, the Tuileries, Bois de Boulogne, and the Bois de Vincennes) are givens. You can’t go wrong at any of them, but as a semi-pro loiterer, I prefer to venture off the beaten path.

Chilled-out loitering—Canal St. Martin. Paris’ low-key canal stretches from Place de la République all the way towards the northern border of the city. People from all walks of life—hipsters, families, total weirdos—hang out along the Canal’s cobbled banks, picnicking and reveling until the wee hours of the night.

Canal St Martin – Erica Berman

Fancy loitering—Place des Vosges. It was love at first sight the moment I discovered this astoundingly beautiful 17th-century square, tucked away in the heart of the bustling Marais. Benches surround the perimeter, but there are swaths of grass where local families and neighborhood cool kids lounge after school and on weekends.

Place des Vosges – Geneviève Sandifer

Super-cool loitering—Palais de Tokyo. On nice evenings, this contemporary art museum’s laid-back terrace is my hands-down favorite spot to take over a table, break out a bottle of wine (buy one at the café inside or bring your own), and scope out the skater kids who practice tricks on the steps down below. Don’t be surprised if you spot an undercover celebrity at the table next to you… famous people like to loiter, too.

Civilized loitering—Parc Monceau. Located in the swanky residential area of the 8th arrondissement, this park will make you feel as though you’ve slipped back into a more refined age. Pack a picnic, pick a bench and start scheming about ways to one day buy one of the six private residences that open onto the park.

Bohemian loitering—Pont des Arts. During the spring and summer, this pedestrian bridge buzzes with artists and musicians who come to paint, take photos, play music, and just sort of emit artsy vibes. It’s an ideal place to mix it up with other (slightly tipsy) Paris dwellers as you catch the sunset over the Seine.

“Outdoorsy” loitering: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Belleville’s biggest park might be man-made, but it still feels like the “wildest” place in Paris. Install yourself at the edge of the lake and soak up the neighborhood’s relaxed vibe.

Fontaine des Medicis – Tory Hoen

Super-secret loitering: Fontaine des Médicis. For the record, I can’t believe I’m giving this one up, since I consider it to be my own ultra-private hangout in Paris. But I suppose I can share, as long as we don’t show up on the same day. It’s tucked away in the quiet northeastern corner of the Jardin du Luxembourg. Grab one of the chairs lining the long reflecting pool and watch the resident ducks do their thing. I’m convinced that time stands still here—it’s the ultimate urban escape.

For other ideas, check out:

• Gridskipper’s Guide to Outdoor Drinking Spots
• Little Brown Pen’s series of black and white loitering shots
• Tory Hoen loiters at a chateau

Written by Tory Hoen,  for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Garden of Cluny Museum – Erica Berman  (Erica’s favorite secret Paris lounge spot)

Ah, life in Paris. One day, the city is invaded by the cat-walking, champagne-sipping Jet Set; and the next, it is overrun with guys dressed up as life-sized vegetables (literally). Yes, the Salon International de l’Agriculture is here, and eco-friendly agriculturists and the gourmands who love them are in town to partake in the year’s biggest agricultural extravaganza. In thinking about it, this week strikes quite a nice equilibrium for those of us who can appreciate both a killer stiletto and a tub of artisanal foie gras. After all, isn’t balance what life is all about?

Erica Berman

The Salon runs from February 27 – March 7 and is held at Paris’ Porte de Versailles convention center (Metro: Porte de Versailles, Line 12).  And while Fashion Week (let’s be honest) is all about exclusion, the Salon International de l’Agriculture is all about inclusion. It attracts serious foodies and industry professionals, but it’s also a great event for families (who want to introduce their kids to local products) and for groups of friends who want to get drunk off said products (or sample them in moderation).

From 9am-5pm each day (and until 11pm on Friday March 5^th), visitors can wander freely, sampling products from all of France’s major regions, interacting with the more than 330 animals who are in attendance, meeting artisanal producers and farmers, and perhaps even gaining some much-needed insight about where our food actually comes from.

It’s a much-anticipated event, and if you’re looking to avoid the Fashion Week scene, there’s no better place to do it. Conversely, if you’re into the Fashion Week scene, the Salon has the most stylish milk in town. Trop fashion!

Entrance to the salon is 12 € for adults, 6 € for children 6-12 years and students with valid ID, and free for children under 6. Buy tickets in advance here.

Read more about the salon here, and hear what bloggers Soyez Bienvenue Chez Moi and Richard Nahem had to say about last year’s event.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text by Emma Haberman

Once upon a time, recycling presents meant re-gifting those unwanted tube socks that weren’t on your wish list. No longer! This year in Paris, Christmas will be greener than ever, thanks to the Noël en Bio holiday fair. The highly anticipated exposition will take place in the Marais this weekend, just in time for holiday shopping (and coinciding with the much-discussed Copenhagen Climate Conference).

Eco-friendly shoes. Photo: Flickr

Organic wine. Photo: Pug Freak’s Flickr

Organized by the Salon Vivez Nature, which sponsors environmental and agricultural fairs year-round, Noël en Bio has invited over 60 designers, gardeners and farmers to display their wares in the massive Espace d’Animation des Blancs Manteaux exhibition space. The showroom will be jam-packed with all-natural products for sale and sample, like organic cotton gloves and free re-alignment massages. Snack on organic chocolates and fruit as you peruse the aisles of ecological shoes, organic teas and homemade bath products. If you’re preparing a holiday meal, load up your market bag at the natural food and spice stands. Farmers selling organic cheeses, fruit confits, wines, and even terrines and foie gras will help you ensure that your holiday meal is eco-friendly while remaining classically French. To maximize your shopping time, check the website beforehand for a list of exhibitors and a plan of the fair.

Location: Espace d’Animation des Blancs Manteaux, 48, rue Vieille du Temple (4th arron.)

Metro: Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 & 11) or Saint-Paul (Line 1)

Date: December 11-13 (11am-8pm)

Price of entry: Free

Edited by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Photo: David Lebovitz

Text by David Lebovitz

About a year ago, I was having supper in a friend’s apartment and everything we ate was simple, and tasted really good. He’d lived on a farm near Toulouse for many years, where he worked for one of France’s agricultural organizations. Now he lives in Paris and I was surprised when he told me that the onions we were eating on the tart he’d made were from a panier, or a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box.

He gets a weekly panier from Les Paniers du Val de Loire. I kept hemming and hawing, thinking how nice it was to shop at my local market and pick out everything myself. But I finally signed up a couple of weeks ago, and got my first panier yesterday.

To read the full post on David’s blog, click here.

Paris & Regional CSA-Style Organizations

Les Paniers du Val de Loire

Campanier

Tous Primeurs

Bioculture Paris

Couleurs Bio

Bio Niya

Paysans

Retour Vers le Bio

In the United States, you can find a CSA supplier through Local Harvest

Related Posts & Links
Greenmarket Alternatives (Secrets of Paris)

The 64 cent fish

The Sustainable Seafood Dilemma (Chocolate & Zucchini)

Paris Organics

Paris is Degrading

La Cucina di Terresa (Organic vegetarian cooking classes in Paris)

WWOOF (Program to live & work on an organic Farm)

Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution (DVD)

Edited by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Despite its name, the Slow Food movement is gaining momentum, and the new Euro Gusto event is proof that the Slow philosophy—“good, clean and fair”—is here to stay. Euro Gusto, which will take place from November 27-30 in the Loire Valley in the city of Tours, France, will bring together hundreds of artisanal food producers, chefs, students, journalists, families and foodies from all over Europe to celebrate the continent’s culinary traditions and contemporary flavors. If all goes well, Euro Gusto will be repeated every two years to bring the community together, to explore traditions and trends in food, and to feed the Slow Food movement.

Old school French guys. Photo: Getty Images

The event will include:

• French and European food markets featuring artisanal products from hundreds of producers who abide by the basic Slow Food principles

• The Slow Food Sentinels Market that features rare food products that are currently threatened by extinction (although not if the Slow Food community has anything to say about it)

• Taste Education Workshops where visitors can sample products and learn about production methods

• Oenothèque Wine Bar where visitors can taste hundreds of different European wines by the glass

• Children’s Discovery Area that will host events for children to explore the fun of food and learn about the tenets of Slow Food

The event will take place in Tours’ Exposition Park from November 27-30, from 10am-10pm everyday (except November 30, when the event closes at 6pm). Entry into the event is 5€ (but free for those under 16, students, and members of Slow Food).

For more information or for details about attending the event, click here.

Tours is just a short day or weekend trip from Paris! For information on how to get there, click here.

Euro Gusto 2009. 153 avenue de Grammont, 37000, Tours, France. Tel. +33 (0)2 47 64 24 38. Contact: info@eurogusto.org

Slow Food Movement

All Photos courtesy of Slow Food

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.