It was my last day in Paris and I had almost forgotten French Onion soup! All winter I was drawn to it, but passed looking forward to eating it here. After doing some internet research I learned that the French aren’t really into French Onion Soup– It’s more of a touristy thing to do and a lot of restaurants do it badly. This place, however, was legit (said a few people on trip advisor) with real cheese and beef broth. La Rotonde would be my primary destination for the day.
I stopped on the way to have a cappuccino and pain du chocolate for petit dejeuner, then walked around the neighborhood enjoying the broad boulevards and Parisian buildings. Finally I was hungry enough for le dejeuner. I was guided to a spot in the shade out on the street. Here was my view:
I think the waiter was disappointed that I only ordered wine and soup, but he was friendly enough.
The soup was incredible. It was everything I wanted it to be. The cheese was thick and chewy, the broth full of flavor and the bread just slightly tart. I savored every bite and eavesdropped on the big table of Americans behind me who seemed to have just started foreign language school.
My next stop was the Jardins du Luxembourg which was a beautiful park.
I sat and read my book and sipped on some wine that I’d picked up at a grocery store.
Finally, I wove my way to the islands of the Seine where Ryan had recommended an amazing gelato place. These streets look so spectacular that the picture doesn’t quite seem to capture it.
In the middle of the island with Notre Dame there was a big flower market, which made me think of my Aunt Wendy.
So many colors!
Then on the Isle St. Louis, I found the ice cream shop and got a cone with honey ice cream and cheesecake ice cream, and sat on the bank reading my book and watching the boats go by. I remembered being on the boat wondering what the lives of the people were like sitting on the island, and now I was one of those people.
