A Champagne Break - or another reason why Paris is so wonderful

It was particularly nice to be in the Boulevard Raspail market this morning.  The sun was shining -- at one moment it was so bright that I was squinting through my sunglasses -- the temperature was mild and it seemed like everyone at the market was in good cheer. 

Certainly the butcher who was sipping a coupe of Champagne between chops to his chickens was in high spirits.  After I shot this, he asked me if I took the picture because of the chickens and, when I confessed that it was the glass of champagne that had caught my eye, he grinned, put his hands up in the air and said, "C'est la fete!"   And it really did feel like a party.

While I think the vendors in this Sunday market are always nice, they're always a bit harried - the lines can be endless at many of the stands and the merchants, many of whom are the producers as well, don't always get the chance to chat the way they'd like to and the way you'd like them to.  But today, it was calm.

Calm enough that when I ran into Louisa Chu, she of Moveable Feast, we could actually walk the center aisle side-by-side, talk, catch up (it had been a while since we'd seen one another) and stop for a photo.

Last week, the Sunday before Christmas, when I was shopping in the market with Patricia Wells - and taking a picture for amazon.com's editor's blog -- it was all we could do to find a square centimeter of space

While it was the food stalls that were jammed before Christmas, today, the day before New Year's Eve, it was the wine shops and any place selling Champagne. 

After we left the market, Michael and I walked over to La Grande Epicerie, Paris's chicest supermarket.  I had no problem picking up the flour and vanilla that I needed, however, had I wanted a bottle or two of bubbly, I 'd have had to wait my turn, and wait, and wait -- you could barely get near the bins.  Happily, there was another -- faster -- way to satisfy that craving for Champagne:  Dom Perignon had set up a little bar

What a great thing to do!  How festive!  How fun!  How French!  I think every supermarket should have a Champagne bar.  Stop & Shop are you listening?

Comments

[Cecilia]

I'm another lurker coming out to comment on this post. I had no idea that Paris had food markets such as the one that you described. I visited many markets in towns around France (with Aix being my favorite), but this Parisian one sounds like so much fun! I wish I caught one of the markets in Paris while I was over there...

[Marissa]

Dorie, this is my first time writing to you...I have been a lurker for a bit, and have been drooling all over my keyboard since I happened upon the gloriousness that is your blog. I am new to the food blogging..and I am just so envious of where you are! Oh to be in Paris...among the markets and the French....oh the envy..

[Barnaby]

I wish they would open a Dom Bar in my neighborhood! Great post, you might be interested in checking out one I did yesterday about a WSJ article on LVMH and the Champagne growers: http://blog.foodista.com/2008/01/02/the-economics-of-champagne/

Cheers!

[Maria]

It looks like you are having a wonderful time in Paris! I am glad. Happy New Year to you!!