Tag Archives: Paris

Le Pantruche restaurant in Paris

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Le Pantruche is a gourmet “bistro” (a bistro is an old-style Parisian café) in Paris. I had lunch there last Summer and it was very good.


Smoked fish and avocado starter


Smoked fish and avocado starter

Franck Baranger, le Pantruche chef favours products that are in season and from Paris Region. Here are the pros and cons of the restaurant in my opinion:


Watercress soup with croutons


Watercress soup with croutons

Pros:
+ The most important: the meal was delicious, the dishes were original tasty
+ The pleasant café atmosphere
+ At the end of the meal, I was sated without feeling heavy
+ The restaurant service was very good.
+ The food was fresh and traceable. The waiter was able to tell us exactly where the products came from.


Saithe with artichoke mousse


Saithe with artichoke mousse

Cons:
– The tables are very close. But at the same time it contributes to the convivial atmosphere.
– The restaurant is only open weekdays


Grand Marnier Soufflé with caramel


Grand Marnier Soufflé with caramel

We spent 28€ per person for a starter, a main dish and a dessert. It’s more expensive than a café but cheaper than a gourmet restaurant. My advice: the lunch fixed-price menu is more economical than à la carte dishes. Our waiter translated the menu for English-speaking clients but a dictionary could be useful if you don’t speak French. Also I would advise to book as the restaurant is quite popular.


Roasted figs, gingerbread crumble, almond ice cream


Roasted figs, gingerbread crumble, almond ice cream

My opinion:
I enjoyed the gourmet cuisine, the bistro atmosphere and the fresh products. I would be happy to go back to Le Pantruche if I have the chance.

The address :
Le Pantruche
3, rue Victor Massé
75009 Paris
+33 1 48 78 55 60

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Ethical fashion shops in Paris

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If you go to Paris, you may buy clothes in some of its numerous fashion stores. And if you are interested in eco, sustainable or fair trade fashion, I have found that there are also a lot of ethical fashion shops in Paris. Below are a Paris map with a list of ethical fashion shops I have spotted by arrondissements (= Paris districts). The directory is not exhaustive and will be completed according to my discoveries.


Click here to see a larger map on google map

1st arrondissement

Bleu de Paname
68 Rue Saint Honoré
Métro station : Les Halles
Made in France clothes for men
http://www.bleudepaname.com/en/

3rd arrondissement

Altermundi
5 Boulevard du Temple
Métro station : Filles du calvaire
fair trade clothes, accessories and decorative items
http://www.altermundi.com/

Merci
111 Boulevard Beaumarchais
Métro : Saint Sébastien Froissart
solidarity-based concept store. NB: not all their products are ethical.
http://www.merci-merci.com/

Bis
7 Boulevard du Temple
Métro : Filles du calvaire
second-hand clothes, solidarity-based company
http://bisboutiquesolidaire.fr/

Front De Mode
42 rue Volta
Métro : Temple
Ethical designers’ clothes for women, men and kids
https://www.facebook.com/Front-De-Mode-1621474888087161/

Twins for Peace
5 rue Commines
Métro : Filles du calvaire
Shoes for women and men
http://www.twinsforpeace.com/

4th arrondissement

Monsieur Poulet
24 Rue de Sévigné
Métro : Saint Paul
organic cotton T-shirts
http://www.monsieurpoulet.com/

Ekyog
23 Rue des Francs Bourgeois
Métro : Saint Paul
Clothes for women
http://www.ekyog.com/

5th arrondissement

Eclats de Nature
9 rue le Goff
Métro : RER Luxembourg
http://www.eclatsdenature.com/

Au Vieux Campeur
Métro : Cluny – La Sorbonne
Sportswear for women, men and kids
NB: not all their products are ethical but you can find some sustainable brands such as Patagonia, Vaude, Icebreaker or prAna.
https://www.auvieuxcampeur.fr/

6th arrondissement

Le 78
78 bis rue de Rennes
Métro : Saint Sulpice
El Naturalista ecological shoes

9th arrondissement

le sourire multicolore
13, rue Maubeuge
Métro : Cadet, Notre dame de Lorette or Anvers
http://lesouriremultico.canalblog.com/

Artisans du Monde Paris 9
20 Rue de Rochechouart
Métro Cadet
fair-trade handicrafts
http://www.artisansdumonde.org

Ekyog
30 Rue Tronchet
Métro : Havre-Caumartin
Clothes for women
http://www.ekyog.com/

Bis
19 rue Lamartine
Métro : Cadet
second-hand clothes, solidarity-based company
http://bisboutiquesolidaire.fr/

10th arrondissement

Ekyog stock
33 rue Beaurepaire
Métro : République
Clothes for women
http://www.ekyog.com/

Ambrym
22 – 24 rue des Vinaigriers
Métro : Jacques Bonsergent
made in France and organic clothes and accessories for women
http://www.ambrym.fr/

Centre Commercial Kids
22 rue Yves Toudic
Métro : République
Clothes and accessories for kids
http://www.centrecommercial.cc/kids/

11th arrondissement

Altermundi Charonne
39, rue de Charonne
Métro : Ledru Rollin
fair trade clothes, accessories and decorative items
http://www.altermundi.com/

Misericordia
7-9 rue de Charonne
Métro : Ledru Rollin
Clothes for men and women
http://www.misionmisericordia.com

Emmaüs
54 rue de Charonne
Métro : Ledru Rollin
Charity shop. Second-hand clothes for women, men and kids
http://www.emmaus-france.org/

La Botte Gardiane
25 rue de Charonne
Métro : Ledru Rollin
made in France shoes
http://www.labottegardiane.com/en/

Le labo de l’Abbé
25-27 rue Oberkampf
Métro : Oberkampf
Charity shop. Second-hand and upcycled clothes.
http://www.lafriperiesolidaire.com/

Kenka
13 rue Oberkampf
Métro : Oberkampf
ecological shoes
http://www.kenka-boutique.fr/

Valentine Gauthier
88 boulevard Beaumarchais
Métro : Chemin Vert
Clothes for women
http://www.valentinegauthier.com/

15th arrondissement

Artisans du Monde Paris 15
31 Rue Blomet
Métro : Volontaires
fair-trade handicrafts
http://www.artisansdumonde.org

18th arrondissement

Altermundi Ordener
135 Rue Ordener
Métro : Jules Joffrin
fair trade clothes, accessories and decorative items
http://www.altermundi.com/

Ekyog
89 rue des Martyrs
Métro : Abbesses
Clothes for women
http://www.ekyog.com/

Myphilosophy
55, rue d’Orsel
Métro : Abbesses
Clothes for women
http://www.myphilo.com/

20th arrondissement

Artisans du Monde Paris 20
8 Rue Boyer
Métro Gambetta ou Ménilmontant
fair-trade handicrafts
http://www.artisansdumonde.org

More shopping addresses in Paris:

A green shopping tour by WA off blog

Second-hand shops on The cookie’s room blog

Among the animals blog’s favorite second-hand shops (in French)

Drawing of a woman searching her handbag and saying: All right, I have the most important: the list of ethical fashion shops !

Ready to shop!


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A guimard Metro entrance in Paris

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In Paris I like when I go through a Metro entrance designed by architect Hector Guimard. I admire its steel lace and the organic curves of the street lights that lean over passers-by. I appreciate that a work of art is on the street, accessible to everyone. And I take my dose of Art Nouveau before following my route.

drawing of a guimard Metro entrance in Paris

Other articles about Paris street furniture on this blog:

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Public toilets in Paris

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Self-cleaning public toilets have only existed since the eighties but now they belong to Paris urban landscape. These ‘sanisettes’, as they are called, are free toilets in a city of pay toilets. To enter one of those big boxes, you must not be claustrophobic. You also have to be patient: what with out-of order toilets and toilets occupied by homeless people, there is often a line of tourists and Parisians for the remaining toilets. When the person before you leaves the WCs, you still have to wait for the cleaning. Finally, it’s your turn. After this memorable experience, you will be able to tell that you peed in a giant can 😉

drawing of public toilets in Paris

Useful link: Where to find self-cleaning public toilets in Paris

Other articles about Paris street furniture on this blog:

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Jackie Kennedy Onassis wearing comfortable clothes in Paris

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drawing of Jackie Kennedy Onassis wearing comfortable clothes in Paris

This is a drawing of Jackie Kennedy Onassis wandering rue Saint-Honoré in Paris in 1974. Whereas we are used to seeing her more dressed up, here her hair is blowing in the wind; she’s wearing sandals, oversized sunglasses and a black pencil dress with belt (unless she’s wearing bermuda shorts, I have my doubts about it). Anyway, I like her outfit that is casual but not sloppy.

drawing inspired by a picture by Bernard Bardinet

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Colonnes de Buren in Paris

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drawing of the Colonnes de Buren in Paris

I have done this drawing of the Colonnes de Buren in Paris to illustrate the theme of vertical height on a color pencils forum.
The erection of these striped and truncated columns by contemporary artist Daniel Buren, in the courtyard of the 17th century Palais Royal, aroused much protest. Twenty-seven years after, the aesthetic interest of the columns remains questionable but people have gotten used to their presence

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Reception table at the Élysée Palace in Paris

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A few years ago, I had the opportunity to admire a gala table in the reception hall at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Not that I was invited to a party at the French president’s residence, I just visited the Élysée Palace on the occasion of Heritage Day.

When a color pencils forum has suggested to do a drawing on the subject of a beautiful, I have pulled out the pictures I had taken of the Élysée feast table.

drawing of a reception table at the Élysée Palace in Paris

The plates are white with a dark-blue border and are scattered with gold. In the centre of the table, there are candelabra and jardinieres full of flowers. These are true silver-plated sculptures.

The jardiniere I have drawn dates from the 19th century and belongs to a set called “Louis XIV, Music and Dance”. I like those imposing decorations even if they leave little room for putting dishes.

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Jessica Alba on a Velib

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When she is in Paris, Jessica Alba uses the bike sharing system, Velib, like the average tourist.


In the first image, the actress prefers practicality to fashion with a beanie hat, a sweater, leggings and ballet flats. She saves her winter outfit thanks to a smile and to her self-confident appearance. I have to remember it next time I dress like a frump.


drawing of Jessica Alba on a Velib in Paris in winter


The second outfit she’s wearing while riding is nicer in my opinion but as practical as the first one. This time it’s summertime and Jessica Alba is wearing blue printed strapless jumper with sandals.


drawing of Jessica Alba on a Velib in Paris in summer

Good news, you don’t need a limousine nor haute couture clothes to play the star. All you need are a bike and oversized sunglasses.


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