Flea Market in Paris - Porte de Varnes

On the first Sunday I was in Paris, I decided to go to a smallish flea market at Porte de Varnes which is in the 14th arrondisement, near my service apartment.

On reaching the flea market, there were already many vendors - people selling their pre-loved stuff. It was frequented by the locals, many whom were negotiating prices and buying stuff. I saw clothes, knick knacks, toys etc.

I bought pre-loved clothes (Naf Naf, Anne Fontaine, Tara Jamon, H&M) for a couple of Euros each. I was pretty pleased with my "vintage" purchases. This flea market reminds me of the multi-family garage sales we have back home.





These were the 2 stalls I bought the clothes from.

 

Friendly vendor...

Flea Market in Paris - Les Puces de Saint Quen

On my last day in Paris (after 9 glorious days), I decided to brave it and find my way to the Les Puces - the largest antique market in Paris. It is located in the 18th arrondisement and is in a poorer part of Paris. Quite a distance to walk from the metro Porte de Clignancourt to the huge flea market. The flea market gets very crowded during the weekends (I was almost pick pocketed at the metro on the way back). It has 7 markets within the neighbourhood and would take at least a day to explore. Each market has many interesting shops and lanes and nooks and corners to browse.

The flea market sells art and deco furniture, keys, beads, antique cutlery, kitchen appliances, table napkins/cloths, watches, jewellery, vintage clothes. The vendors are playing cards or having a meals and it has a nice neighbourly vibe. I liked the markets because there is so much to see and it is vibrant.

As I had no more luggage space, I did not purchase anything although I was tempted to buy a ring in one of the shops.

The market has clear directions for visitors.

 

I loved to browse at the various shops...

Clock face made from recycled manhole!

i loved to look at the antique silver cutlery.

 One shop sells just keys.

Paris 2012 - Cooking classes at La Cuisine

After the wonderful experience at Le Cordon Bleu, I attended 2 cooking classes at La Cusine. The first was a market tour cum cooking class and the second is baking class.

The market tour was an eye opener in terms of variety of vegetables and fruits we do not get from the local market at home.

Carrots with leaves attached.

Girolle mushrooms

Figs were in season and they were very yummy.

 Celeriac which is also called a knob celery.

I loved the colours of the tomatoes!

After buying the food, we head back to the school and started preparing lunch. We split the work of cutting and cooking.

 

 We did a salad, duck breast with sweet sauce and cheese with figs for desserts. After cooking the duck and vegetables, we learnt to plate the food nicely before sitting down with the classmates to have our lunch.

 

I enjoyed the class and the company. After lunch, I explored the area around the school before heading back for a baking class.

We learnt to bake foccacia and baguette. Hands on and we had fun managing the dough.

Paris 2012 - Lessons at Le Cordon Bleu

With great excitement I set off for Le Cordon Bleu on a Saturday morning. I had expected a grand building given the reputation of the school. It was housed in a ordinary looking building....

 

 

I was attending "Sauces, La Touche Finale". The class was actually full and dear husband put me on wait list and a place finally opened up. Guess this course will accompany my then newly acquired sous vide machine.

 

A group of 14 of us were ushered to a kitchen school and each found a place quickly. The chef was Chef Franck Poupard. We learnt stock for meat, fish, white chicken stock and moved on to make sauces (Pesto sauces, chicken breast sauce supreme, magret duck breast la orange, and bordelaise sauce, jumbo shrimp and langoustines with lemon grass sauce). We were also taught how to debone a chicken.

 

We broke for lunch and this was one of the food they served. 

This is Chef Franck Poupard. He spoke in French and the interpreter will translate to English.

The following Saturday, I returned for a baking course "Financiers, cakes and pound cakes." I understand this is the first lesson they would conduct for the Diploma students.

 

 

This was the orange confit we made for the pound cake.

This is the Green Tea Financiers with a twist.

This was what I baked. Unfortunately, due to luggage constraints, I had to give away quite a bit of cakes away.

At last, I completed my baking class with a certificate and a picture with the chef.

This is Miki from Sapporo. She was in Paris alone like me.

Birthday Present from Dear Hubby

For my birthday present last year, C gave me a great birthday present - a trip to Paris to learn cooking. It was more than what I dreamt about. A chance to learn from the pros.

He decided on Le Cordon Bleu. The course - Sauces - the finishing touch. He thought it will be useful since we have the sous vide machine and it would complement the dishes I cook.

Paris the city of lights - here I come!

Here is the display at Changi Airport Terminal 1.

 

 

I stayed in Montparnasse Citadines in the 14th adronissement. It's a very comfortable hotel and not too far from the train station.