Writers in Paris, tea, pastries, and books
I met up with a Canadian author who is also here in Paris for a solo writing retreat. It was lovely to meet Sonia Nicholson, the author of Provenance Unknown. We met at Le Loir dans la Théière on the Rue des Rosiers. Warm service, lovely company, nice tea and a very yummy croissant thingy.
We then popped over to Abbey Books in the 5th. I bought a copy of Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum after reading about the book in another book (A Year in Paris by John Baxter. Very Paris-Inception…)
I had a choux pastry at Odette. I have walked past this place soooo many times and didn’t realise they sold choux pastries until my cousin mentioned it. Anyone who has seen images of Paris or been here will know this famous corner of the 5th…
Well inside, they sell these…
We wandered past the queue outside Shakespeare and Co. I do wonder how many people actually buy books there these days. I went in while I was here in 2024 and bought a copy of a Benjamin Stevenson book for an interview I was booked to do with him and I saw not one other person buying an actual book. Just a lot of people trying not to look like they were videoing themselves despite the signs asking for no photography.
Rant over…
Sonia headed back to her place and I was inspired by Sonia’s dedication so I tried out the cafe at Maison Victor Hugo and whaddya know? Lovely service and very nice tea, a trinkling fountain and a cool spot to write. I wrote a scene for my current book and plotted the third Alia book which is mostly set in Paris. Back out in the Place des Vosges chaos reigned. There were so many school children enjoying the beautiful surroundings on their lunch break. Imagine having access to the history, art and beauty of Paris as a child.
Back in my little apartment in the Rue de Bretagne, I made a huge salad for lunch and got down to more writing. Hours later I emerged with 3000 words written. The street below was bustling with people so I took myself out for a walk. I wandered around without any more intention than a walk before bed but wow… Paris never ceases to blow my mind.
A few minutes walk from my cozy apartment is Place de le Republique where literally everything is happening, all the time and all at once. There was a market place and event happening for the Sikh community and there was a protest going on across the massive square. (I would learn that there is always a protest going on there.)
That’s the thing about Paris. There’s something for everyone and if you come here, find your thing. I always tell people ‘if you’re not an art lover, find what you do love in Paris.’ I’ve been to two writing groups this week and loads of museums but that’s what I love. You can find anything you like here.
Roller blading groups. Yep.
Cycling? Yep.
wimming? Yes, and not in the Seine!
Gaming. Board games. Puzzles. There’s a boardgame event on this Friday night!
Add to that, reading groups, horse riding, kids clubs, indoor wall/rock climbing.
Dancing.
Yoga.
All kinds of sports.
You name it.
Don’t go see the Mona Lisa then complain about how “small” it is or how many people there were in the Louvre! Find something you love about Paris and go do that.
This post was originally published on my Substack.
