Good evening! We’re having a fairly low key day compared to yesterday. My friend is also in Paris with her boyfriend and parents, and they graciously invited us over for breakfast. Of course, we couldn’t show up empty-handed, so we stopped by a local patisserie to grab some sweets. 

Also, I witnessed a guy walk up to the bakery with his unleashed dog and a baby in a stroller, and then proceed to leave the dog and baby outside while he went in to grab something. What?! Thankfully, the dog and baby didn’t go anywhere. 

A patisserie is a bit different from a boulangerie, as they sell more sweet desserts. A boulangerie sells more traditional bread like baguettes and croissants. 

Also, I could be wrong. This is all based on my own observation. 

  
  

My friend is staying near Champs-Élysées which is a busy shopping area. Bay Area folks, it’s like a French Powell street. It’s also where the Arc de Triomphe is! 

 

We loaded up on eggs, bread from the local bakery, prosciutto, foie gras, tomatoes, avocado, raspberries, figs, apricots, and shrimp. Shrimp for breakfast?! Yes, shrimp for breakfast. It’s wild caught and sweet, unlike any shrimp I’ve had before. 
  
    

Before heading to the department stores, we looked around at the local markets. Look how gorgeous this produce is! Everything is so vibrant and fresh. 

    
    

In addition to produce, they have fresh seafood, a million kinds of pate and foie gras, cured meat, and deli style food. This area is every food lover’s dream. 
    
  

We stopped by Louis Vuitton, where my jaw dropped at the prices for… Well, everything. Still a great place to window shop, and if you do purchase something (like my friend did) they offer a free glass of champagne. 

  

Unfortunately I didn’t get to take many photos of the street because I was holding three baskets of raspberries, and later… 

 

A dozen macarons from Ladurée. I mean, how could I not? 

At one point, I slowed down to look at this gorgeous building with large, gold lined gates and a meticulously well kept garden entry path. What was it? A garden? Government building? Old palace?

It was–sit down–an Abercrombie and Fitch store. A five story Abercrombie and Fitch store, to be exact. How this store is nicer than Louis Vuitton, I don’t know. 

We stopped for a lunch at a local cafe. I had the beef tartare, which was a much larger portion than I’m used to, and very affordable. The best thing about being in Paris is ordering French dishes (duck confit, beef tartare) at unheard of prices. My duck confit was only 15 euros, and the beef tartare was 14 euros. 

 

After all that walking, we went back to our apartment. I’ve gotten over my jet lag, so I’m actually updating you all from a cute cafe nearby while my friends nap. 

Until next time!