When our second oldest, Chelsea, graduated from high school, we used this milestone as a reason to celebrate with a trip to Paris. It was a dream of Chelsea’s to visit France. From a very young age she studied the language, fell in love with the culture, and longed to know more about its history, architecture, and of course, cuisine! There was no twisting anyone’s arm when we decided to travel across the sea to “La Ville-Lumiere” – “The City of Light”! It was one of the most gorgeous vacations and special weeks we have spent together as a family. And really – it is impossible to have a bad time in a place where the air is pink. Seriously. The atmosphere is literally rose-colored. And although I have been found guilty of it in the past, I swear to you I was not wearing glasses…
Some of our favorite highlights included strolling down Paris’s most famous, twinkly street, the Champs-Elysees. We dined and shopped and people watched to our hearts content. We took a bike ride in the rain to Versailles, and although a little damp, our experience was no less beautiful (just don’t ask my daughters…they will tell you that the garbage bags we wore to stay dry were not exactly the latest in French fashion…)
We visited Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
We were delighted to the stunning sights and moving sounds of classically trained musicians at an outdoor concert in Luxembourg Garden, and we were lucky enough to be there for the epic fireworks display on Bastille Day.
We ate and we ate and we ate.
And now, thanks to my daughter Lauren, with her interest in (food) photography, we get to relive some of our best foody memories without popping any buttons, over and over again! Side note – I’m certain it is Lauren’s pictures from Paris that caused me to take a real interest in food photography!
Some of our stand-out bites included croque monsieurs, sweet and savory crepes, quiche lorraine, rare roast beef and baguettes, cheese and wine, fruit tarts and pastry, Angelina’s hot chocolate, and of course, CROISSANTS!
So many croissants! Croissants every day! It helped that we were just one block away from the most incredible little pink pastry shop. However, we could have been miles away and it would not have stopped us from making it part of our daily journey. The croissants were like nothing we had ever had before. The clearest I can describe the experience of that first taste was like lifting a rock and discovering a new color…are there really any words for it?
I would love to tell you that I came home and immediately started making them. I did not. It is NOT easy! But I had to have them!!!! So, with that, we took to special ordering. Oui, Oui! It is true Monsieur e Madame! To keep one of our most favorite gastronomic experiences alive we order ready-made, what I like to call, Memories In A Box!
Have you tried the croissants you can order from Williams-Sonoma? (This is not a sponsored post.) Pastry chef, Jean-Yves Charon, of Galaxy Desserts, prepares and freezes ultra delicious, ultra buttery, ultra amazing croissants. All we have to do is thaw, let rise and bake to warm, decadent perfection.
I always know, in the exact moment of that first bite, I will be immediately transported back to that little pink pastry shop where I am wrapped in the warmth of the heat of the ovens and the radiance of my favorite sweetas! Delicieux!
Did I mention they also come with a bit of chocolate tucked inside?
I know, I know…the world is too good to us!
Bon Appetit!
Nicole says
Omg!!! So near and dear to my heart as well sister! One of my most favorite weeks of my life as well was spent in Paris!!! You just brought me back!!! Gorgeous post!!!
Annie says
I know, I know!!! You and Chels have so much in common! Thank you… I am so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Lauren says
This post is just the loveliest! Gosh I miss Paris… And thanks for posting my pics mama, I’m so glad you enjoyed them ♥ Je t’aime!
Annie says
Paris is always as close as your beautiful pictures…Je t’aime, Sweeta!
Connie says
This is especially painful as I sit down with my protein yogurt smoothie for breakfast! Not fair! Looks awesome…
Annie says
You are so good, Con! I actually think it was you who first planted the seed about these amazing croissants! Thanks for that, pally!
Chelsea says
Ahh I’m obsessed with this post. It brought me right back! And now I want those croissants!! Je t’aime, Mama! ♥
Annie says
I had a feeling this would make you happy! Have a wonderful day today, Chelsea! Je t’aime, Sweeta!