Marché de la Bastille 

This morning, most of our class met for an optional visit to the open-air market at the Bastille. The flowers, produce, meats and cheeses are not only fresh, but beautifully-displayed as well. There were also vendors with scarves and striped t-shirts (but of course, this is Paris!), and some wallets and purses and housewares.

The variety of seafood is out-of-this world. You can pick-up shrimp, oysters, whole fish, octopus and live crabs, and more.

I tried oysters for the first time last summer, and liked them (much to my surprise). These, however, were monstrous in size -- almost the length of my hand. I'm not brave enough!

Dogs are welcome many places in France (and Europe in general). Not just at the markets, but in some stores, restaurants, and even on the Métro. As part of my class, we are each required to do a small project which requires interaction with French people. I've decided to do my project on the Dogs of Paris. I figure that is one of the easiest ways to interact with strangers -- everyone loves their dogs!

 

Les fromages . . . be still my heart! I have heard that France has (at least) enough different varieties of cheese that you can eat a different one every day of the year. One should be so lucky!