Paris je t'aime...part trois...

Musée Rodin wasn't my choice, but i'm glad I visited. I should know better by now...I love art. I love being surrounded by creative pieces - no matter what media is used to create it. Rodin was never appreciated as a great artist while he was young and alive...nothing new...but he sure is appreciated now.

It was delightful. It may have been a gloomy day but the statues looked lively. The "Thinker" draws a crowd, similarly "The Gates of Hell". The two being his most famous statues. But what I love the best is the angel diving south...which reminds me of another angel diving south in Madrid.

After the Rodin, we walked around the Latin Quarter in search of Pierre Hermes, Gerard Mulot, and Christian Constant. As we were searching, we came across Cacao et Chocolat and stopped to pick up some chocolate eclairs...as I was continuing my search for the best eclair. The eclairs here, were pricey and really really really rich. I can recall my teeth were aching from the sweetness. There wasn't a balance of pastry/custard/chocolate, like the eclair from Henri in Biarritz. So, it was disappointing...

So, when we got to Gerard Mulot, I bought another chocolate eclair along with a bunch of macaroons. This was also a tour to taste test a variety of macaroons. Which is also the reason why we wanted to go to Pierre Hermes...we lined up to buy a bunch of macaroons from there too. And if you ever get the chance to...if it happens to be on the list the day you visit...try the white truffle & hazelnut, the green tea & chestnut, the passionfruit and there was a lily (i think) flavoured macaroon. I just love the way it is crispy on the outside and crumbles to a gooey mush because of the ganache centre. *yum*

As we made our way to the Jardin du Luxumberg, we stopped at Christian Constant. What i liked best about Christian Constant, is the total and utter respect for quality chocolate that they have. The way you are served. Its with patience. Its like there is a sense of serenity. The chocolates are handmade and the range of exotic flavours...oh...my...gosh! Earl grey...saffron...ceylon...heaps of tea variety...oh so refreshing. I adored the fact that when it was my turn to be served, when I asked about each different flavour I had never even heard of before that day...I was responded to with a "would you like to try one?"

My jaw dropped. I get to stand in this poshy store of handmade dark chocolates and try them. It wasn't just one. If I wanted to try 5, they were cool with it! (But I didn't forget my manners! So, I didn't push it that far...maybe 4).

For a small gift box (approx. 10x10 cms) was 10 Euros. You are charged per box, not weight, so they really pack the box as full as they can and with all the little gaps, they fill it up with chocolate covered orange peels...hehehe...I think I ended up with about 16-18 pieces of chocolates...not including the orange peels. What you end up with is a pretty black gift box with a pretty pink ribbon around the box.

After picking up my choccies, my friend and I head off to the garden.

I think its a must to go and visit the gardens if you are in Paris. Go on a Saturday, as I did, and appreciate the mellowness of the occasion and just relax. There are plenty of seats...take a moment to sit down and watch the kids launch their boats in the fountain. People watch. Just observe the beauty that surrounds you. The kids that are smiling and having fun. Couples canoodling under a tree. How big that tree is on the corner. The variety of flowers that are growing right before you...

If I wasn't trying to cram so much into my day, I would have sat there and drawn some pictures.

For lunch we had crepes. A savoury one to begin with and a sweet one for dessert...I had a nutella one for dessert...enough said! *LoL*

I also managed to buy two pairs of heels...don't ask...just accept that I was tempted and couldn't help myself. Thankfully my friend was there to prevent me from buying more than 2 pairs.

After our lunch of crepes in the Latin Quarter we headed back to the apartment...but not after a detour past the Pantheon. I think they charged us for entry, so we didn't actually go in. And since it was pretty clear in the sky, by this stage, we decided to walk home from here. Which was a pretty good idea...since, after our crepes I bought a massive 4 flavour gelato cone and pretty much had it myself...I also, couldn't help myself. They made it into a pretty flower!!! *LoL*

The day was filled with gluttony and I really did intend on going to a jazz club after dinner, but we didn't make it. I think we were too full to do much else but sleep! It was still satisfying and I'm glad that we covered so much during the day.