The Most Beautiful Tree in Paris: Tomme Acajou au Lait de Salers

THE STORY:

Amidst the urban jungle, every once in a while a reminder of the real jungle pops through. There are a few gorgeous trees that speak to me as I flâne (stroll) around the city. One of them may well be the most beautiful tree I've ever seen in my life, let alone Paris. But first, some of the runners up, such as this breath of fresh air (literally) that pops out at the beginning of spring -- just when you need it most -- among the Haussmanian buildings and 19th century Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité in the 9th arrondissement.

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Unsafe, Uninsured, Unconcerned, & Politically Incorrect: Leissa

THE STORY:

As the final installment of "Unsafe, Uninsured, Unconcerned, and Politically Incorrect," today I want to focus more on the unsafe and uninsured than the unconcerned and politically incorrect. And so, I start you off with a photo of people shooting BB guns at a fair. Nobody's wearing safety gear. The woman has no idea how to use the gun, or load it properly. I've been that lady, recently, in fact, but now our family steers clear of the BB gun shooting booth.

 

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Nuts to That!: Mystère de Chèvre au Miel et aux Pistaches

THE STORY:

It's part two in my series "Unsafe, Uninsured, Unconcerned, and Politically Incorrect" and I'm going nuts. Nuts for nuts in France, that is. You see this bowl of peanuts? I put it out for a party with about 30 invitees, including at least a dozen children. I didn't even ask the parents if any children have nut allergies. Somebody pinch me; I must be dreaming.

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All My Boozy Children: Persillé du Beaujolais

THE STORY:

You've heard me talk about some of the things that shock an American here in France, but I don't feel you'll ever understand the extent of it until your child's teacher sends you a photo of your 12-year old daughter holding a bottle of beer in school and pretending to be drunk with her friends -- and the teacher sends it as a sign of approval, with high marks. Here then is part one of a series of postings I'm calling "Unsafe, Uninsured, Unconcerned, and Politically Incorrect."

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Not in the Guide Books: Buchette du Gois

THE STORY:

Sure, you've heard of the Louvre, the Pompidou, and the Musée d'Orsay. You know about the Picasso Museum and l'Orangerie. But what about the Musée du Parfum Fragonard? The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature? The Musée Montmartre? Musée Gustave Moreau? There are dozens of small, niche museums around Paris (and hundreds around France. Ever heard of the Musée de la Poire Tapée -- the Museum of the Smashed Pear? I've been there, too).

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Funny Fish and Scallops: Tome de Montagne

THE STORY:

The French metro system is not exactly known for its quirky sense of humor, but this year they surprised us all. Perhaps they thought Paris could use a little harmless levity after all the city's been through this past year. So today they quietly re-named a few stations for the day. I travel through a station normally called Saint-Jacques, which now is called Coquille, as in Coquille Saint-Jacques (the word for "scallops").

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