La Cigale – Paris Experience

Diana and I recently returned from Paris and are already missing the sights, sounds, and smells of being there. The espresso brewing in the cafés, the fresh bread baking in the boulangerie, the melodic song of the French language being spoken, the marché on the rue Mouffetard, the wonderful restaurants, and the vibrant excitement of the "City of Lights", and of course, La Cigale; our little corner of Paris.

I thought that I might share with you a little of our sojourn in Paris and bring you up to date on what is new at "La Cigale and La Cigogne".

We spent most of our time at La Cigale. The satellite connection is finally up and running. The digital reception is excellent and the variety is amazing (better than Direct TV). You can finally tune into CNN, BBC, Fox News, as well as MTV (sorry), the Disney Channel and cartoon channels, movie channels and many more, somewhere around 400 stations. Moos is now looking into the possibility of ADSL internet hook-up for the apartment.

We also purchased two new tables for the living room, and added two nice lamps, one for the living room and the other for the master bedroom.

Some of you may not be aware that last summer Diana and I purchased a second apartment in Paris.

La Cigogne is a two bedroom one bathroom apartment

This was also a working vacation and we spent much of our time with Moos working on the new apartment - La Cigogne.

Moos has done a wonderful job with the construction as usual. The kitchen is attractive and efficient, with beautiful cherry cabinets, granite countertops, and very nice appliances. The bath is "très jolie" with bright light blue tile on the walls and a rich dark blue floor, and a cute bathtub and shower. The hardwood floors have all been refinished and the painting is complete. The Murphy bed is installed in the second bedroom and the two twins are in the master bedroom. Diana and I spent most of a day at "La Sameritaine" choosing and purchasing the furnishings. Some of which was delivered during our stay, the rest is to be delivered during the first several weeks of July. The apartment building already has cable TV so we won’t have the problem with getting some American news channels.

We are concerned with the progress of the building remodeling. The building was purchased by a group "Wilson Finance", and they are responsible for refurbishing the entire building. This includes a marble entryway, glass elevator (which is in), garden courtyard, underground parking, cleaning the façade and redoing the grill work and balconies. When it is all complete it should be a very nice building indeed. At this point they are way behind schedule. Moos is attempting to contact the President of the group to find out what time frame we can expect to see the completion of the project. They did want to use our apartment as a model to show prospective buyers, a compliment I guess.

During our stay, there was time to entertain. We had a wonderful dinner one evening with Moos & Martina, and Dave Lake, his wife Jackie and daughter Sophie (Dave owns the studio just off the rue Mouffetard – the last link on the La Cigale - Paris Experience links page). You may stop by and visit his apartment at: http://www.levieuxparis.com/. We also spent time with our nephew Jimmy and Muriel (son amie) who are living in Paris.

Diana was able to do some browsing in the English book shops, one of her favorite pastimes, visit the antique market across the street and up the Avenue des Gobelins, and GO SHOPPING!!!!!

I ran (Jogged) several times in Paris, once from the La Cigale to the Seine and along the quai to the Pont Alexandre III and back. Another time I ran to the Promenade Plantée and followed it until the Périférique (it was a beautiful sunny day and I just kept going!!!!). Dave and I ran one morning, but for some reason, neither one of us seemed to be quite in the mood (especially me) – maybe not enough coffee, or was it the bottle of wine the night before???

56, rue Galande

75005 Paris

01.43.54.00.79

We had a wonderful lunch with Jim and Pat Hutchinson at "Le Petit Marguerry" just up the street from the La Cigale. It is rated 20 in Zagat Survey 2002. A classic non-touristy "authentic Parisian bistro", "traditional atmosphere". They specialize in "Lyonnais Cooking" and "remarkable game" in season. Be sure to make reservations, it is only a two minute walk from the La Cigale. Great food, wonderful service, it is everything a Parisian restaurant should be.

9, bd. de Port Royal

75013 Paris

01.43.31.58.59

Just a few blocks from La Cigogne around the corner from the Bon Marché is a restaurant which specializes in Soufflés, rated 17 in Zagat, "The best for Soufflés in Paris, and so in the world", the chef, a former Ledoyen chef, specializes in sweet and savory soufflés and other typical French dishes. Diana had a soufflés (Cheese and asparagus) and I had Magret de Canard, one of my favorites. It was recommended to us by Jim Hutchinson, on our first try we called for reservations about 6:00 PM and there was no table available until 10:30. Again I recommend making reservations a day or so in advance.

11 bis Chomel

75007 Paris

01.45.48.87.87

A little know neighborhood restaurant that I discovered by chance on restoaparis.com which I download daily on my Palm Pilot (Nerd). It is a warm cozy place; the walls are adorned with posters from famous French movies as well as pictures of famous French entertainers such as Edith Piaf. The food is hearty Cuisine Aveyronnaise and Sud-Ouest. Everything is served piping hot in copper pots. I had one of the house specialties, a ham hock with a rich sauce and vegetables – Magnifique!!!!! Diana had a nice fish dish that she seemed to enjoy.

32, rue du Fer à Moulin

75005 Paris

01.47.07.29.91

This is another restaurant that I had heard of in the neighborhood of La Cigale. The restaurant serves "good fish" and other dishes from the Seychelles – "an amusing trip to an Indian Ocean beach". Again this restaurant is a short walk from La Cigale, Diana and I enjoyed the unusual chips and dip before the meal and we both were pleased with the well prepared garnished seafood dishes. You will feel as if you are somewhere on an island in the Indian Ocean, while only steps from the apartment.

34, bld. Saint-Marcel

75005 Paris

01.47.07.06.64

A restaurant that we’ve passed several times and one of our guests at La Cigale recommended. It is simple restaurant with a little garden terrace which specializes as the name implies in cheese dishes. The featured main courses are rich hardy and filling. The service is efficient and friendly. You will not leave the restaurant hungry. All four of us who dined there enjoyed the meal and the evening.

21, rue Mouffetard

75005 Paris

01.45.35.14.21

We returned to the restaurant with Jimmy and Muriel, we all enjoyed a very good Italian meal. I had the oven baked gnocchi (formidable!!!!), Diana had Pizza Quattro Frommagio, Jimmy had lamb, and Muriel a nice pasta with a rich cream sauce with Cèpes.

Our waiter Marco Corso sang for us. We even bought his CD (Marco Corso & La Villa Medici da Napoli In Concerto Vivo) which was recorded on location in the restaurant. It’s not bad!!!!

I’m glad I went looking for that screwdriver!!!!

11 bis rue St. Placade

75006 Paris

Tél: 01.42.22.51.96

We hope that you’ve enjoyed hearing from us, and if you are missing Paris please stop by the website at: http://www.lacigaleparis.com. We would love to hear from you, give us a call, email us, or leave a message on our message board or guest book. I continue to update and work on the website; I have just published pictures of the new apartment. Let us know what you think.

I will try to publish a new News Letter bi-annually.

Until next time (A la Prochaine fois).

Diana and I wish you a happy and healthy summer, and happy travels to Paris and France.

Very Sincerely,

Randy & Diana