“Spoiled, Rich, Parisian”

Living in Paris will spoil you.

Spoiled, but not from the aspect of life being ‘easy.’ No, life is not ‘easy’ in the American sense of that word. Sometimes even the simplest task can be a difficult or complicated matter, thanks to the French viewpoint that if it isn’t complicated, it isn’t worth doing, having, knowing, etc.

No, what I mean by ‘spoiled’ is becoming jaded by the absolute richness of life — like the way one can live a lifetime in a single day, so rich with experiences, sights, sounds, smells, tastes and learning, that it could border on sensory overload.

The revelation struck me last night over dinner with a visiting friend at Chez Omar (47, rue de Bretagne, 3rd, 01 42 72 36 26), which has become a kind of “cantine” for me. Earlier that day I had dined so luxuriously at Le Pamphlet on rue Debelleyme (number 38, 3rd, 01 42 72 39 24) that it was impossible to put another morsel of food in my mouth and opted for a dinner of just fresh brewed mint tea. For someone who dines out twice a day, missing a meal is unusual, but it was the richness of the savory French cuisine that was enough to last the whole day, if not the week, a month or a lifetime.

Monday night after another typically French bistrot meal of Steak Tartare (finely chopped or ground raw beef with herbs and spices) at Au Vin des Rues (21, rue Boulard, 14th, 01 43 22 19 78), the bookstore next door (Alias, also at 21 rue Boulard, 14th, 01 43 21 29 82) is one of those ‘so very French’ things that characterizes the depth and richness of Paris life so well. The literally thousands of books, mostly all in French, are stacked from floor to ceiling with seemingly no rhyme or reason both inside and out on the sidewalk. One could spend a lifetime just perusing the titles much less trying to find something specific. My guess is that the proprietor, Jacques Leobold, who was captured standing on a ladder holding on to the door frame stacking even more books even higher, can put his hand on any one you might request in a moment’s notice. His mind must be as complex
yet as orderly as his stacks of books.

Strange and interesting experiences are sure to cross your path as well, of both the metaphysical as well as the physical kinds. Tomorrow and Friday nights Medium Debra Martin promises to communicate with the long lost relations of a group of open-minded individuals of no more than 25 at the Hotel Le Pavillon de la Reine in the Place des Vosges. I couldn’t wait to sign up and see if it’s true that one can communicate with the dead. There must be so many old souls flying overhead in this centuries-old Parisian world we live in that they must have fascinating tales to tell, as intricate and interwoven, as varied and rich with lore as Monsieur Leobold’s books. (There is special price for Parler Paris Readers! Visit /frenchproperty/conference/ for more information and to register).

So, how does one ‘keep them down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?’ Too late. They’re spoiled forever. Just like me.

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

P.S. Thinking of coming to Paris this Fall? Book “Le Provençal” between now and October 15th for 7 nights or more for the special rate of 120€/night or inquire about the last minute specials on all Parler Paris Apartments. Visit /parlerparis/apartments/rentals/provencal.html or email mailto:[email protected] for more information.