Visiting a French Bakery... Behind the Night Scene

While we were tied up at the Marina of Basse-Ham we were invited to a party for the local boat owners.  There we met the lovely baker Fernand who couldn't stay to socialize any longer because he was heading to work.  But, would we like to visit his bakery one night.  There was no way we would turn down a unique invitation such as the one he had extended.  Unfortunately, his working hours were 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.  While he said that we should stay the whole time, not being accustomed to those hours, we arrived at 11:00 pm and stayed for only a few hours.  It was impressive watching the speed and efficiency with which he and his co-workers produced so many delicious baked items.  The next morning he showed up at our boat bearing freshly baked goods.  He even brought me a loaf of gluten free bread (delicious) and 5 kg of gluten free flour.  Fernand never stopped moving the whole time we were there.  He estimates he walks 6 miles an evening.

Fernand with a cart of large loaves of bread.

He made custard filled delicacies 

The custard was quickly piped into the circles

Meat filled pies are a specialty of the area.  Each pie filling is carefully weighted.

Fernand has a specific customer who orders these meat pies.  Tom, Estelle and I watched with great interest.

The X in the center allows the egg whites to flow over the filling after the top crust is in place.

The speed with which one man produces all these pies is impressive

Finished product 

One of four large dough kneading machines.  At one point they were all going at once.  There was flour flying everywhere.  The men performed their work like a perfect ballet

This oven can bake 800 baguettes at a time

A few of the rolls ready for delivery

These rolls are filled with lardons (bacon) and topped with cheese before being baked.

The whole evening this man loaded unbaked products (rolls, baguettes, loaves of bread) onto this conveyer belt, added a slit to the top of each item, and slid them into the oven.  Once baked they were removed to cooling racks before being placed in baskets ready for delivery.

This kneaded dough is placed into a machine where it is cut into rolls

The bakery was immense with rooms upon rooms.  There were freezers, chillers, and storage rooms

 

Paris, Versailles and the Arc du Triumph

Paris is a city with something for everyone, no matter their age.  There are many ways to discover the city.  With our granddaughter we used bicycles, the metro, Segways, walking (and walking and walking), a boat ride, a cooking class, a museum, gardens,  and of course the elevator to see the Eiffel Tower.  This in only 3 1/2 days!  

Paris: The Eiffel Tower, a Boat Ride on the Seine. Plus Those Charming Bistro Chairs and Tables

I think there is a law that to visit Paris one must go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Somehow with our many trips to Paris we always missed that attraction.  Perhaps we were waiting for the right moment.  With the arrival of our granddaughter it was finally time.  We purchased tickets in advance to "skip the line."  There was still a substantial wait, but nothing compared to the lines of people who had not thought to purchase tickets in advance.

The amazing Eiffel Tower which is much larger than expected once we were close up

Originally there was a conductor who controlled the elevator going up the tower.  It took a lot longer than the elevators used today.

The views are impressive.

The Eiffel Tower is being painted a brownish gold for the Olympics taking place next summer in 2024. You need to be comfortable with heights for that job.

After going up the Eiffel Tower we took a boat ride on the Seine. 

Our granddaughter was fascinated by the many designs and variety of colors of the bistro chairs, and tiny tables throughout Paris.  We never saw a repeat of design or color.

   

    

        

        

 

PARIS: A Macaroon Baking Class, Watching the Eiffel Tower Sparkle and Galeries Lafayette.

Our granddaughter wanted to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle.  We waited by the Seine until 11:00 pm, and  were rewarded with a beautiful show of sparkling lights, and a smiling granddaughter.

Her first reaction at seeing Galeries Lafayette.  Confirming that never in her life had she seen a department store like this.  Grandpa humored us as we walked all the way around each floor admiring the displays, architecture and merchandise.

The magnificent 100 year old steel and glass Art Nouveau Coupole of the department store Galeries Lafayette.

Walking to the Marais district we stood in line until we could get a table in the crowded L'as du Fallafel.  It was worth the wait.

We toured the D'Orsay Museum exhibiting the richest collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist paintings in the world all housed in the old train station.  We admired sculptures, and the works of famous Impressionist Artists along with enduring the crowds to view the special exhibit of Manet/Degas.  

Original architecture

D'Orsay Museum clock, architecture, sculptures and crowds

Van Gogh

Blue Water Lillies by Monet

Many gardens in Paris prohibit anyone even touching the grass.  Here was an area of the park allowing people to relax in the shade and coolness of this patch of lawn.

We walked by the Pantheon built between 1758 and 1790

We took a macaroon baking class.  Now we know why they're so expensive to purchase.  They were certainly labor intensive.  At the end of class we enjoyed tea and the results of our labors.  Delicious!

We all participated in this hands on class

We piped both solid and multi colored macaroons.

The final results of the class.  I highly recommend taking a macaroon class.  We had such a good time together.

Ending another hot day with ice cream.

 

Exploring Metz and Rodemach France with our granddaughter

It was a treat being able to spend one-on-one time with our granddaughter!

We went to Metz and explored the Museum of La Cour d'Or which was founded in 1839.  It was a maze of rooms incorporating the ancient Petites Carmes Abbey and much more.  It brings together Gallo-Roman, medieval and fine arts.

                     

An early portrait of Jesus

There was a room of skeletons.  Note the beads this person was buried with.

A beautiful necklace

Pitcher

The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne building was begun in the early 14th century.

We were surprised to find Marc Chagal windows in the Cathedral

Our next stop was Rodemack with the nickname "little Lorraine Carcassonne" due to the imposing ramparts that enclose the village and its citadel.  It is considered one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

We explored the whole Fortress of Lorraine

The dungeon with its instruments of torture

Sweeping views

It was evident why the village has earned its title as one of the most Beautiful Villages of France

Ending our day with ice cream was a recurring theme.