It’s a little shop around the corner, hidden under and archway just a minute away from the Republique Square. It’s not very easy to find, you have to know it’s there. The American Grocery of Paris is a tiny tiny little shop dedicated to all the American and English and Irish products you might need. The walls are covered with products from jello to Pop Tarts, Picallili Sauce and Kraft Macaroni Cheese. Whatever you need you’ll probably find it there. The owners will help you find what’s perfect for you or just chat with you. You can order the products online and they’ll send your packages directly at home everywhere in France.
You can check for more references on the official website of the American Grocery of Paris.
The shop is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 7 pm. On Saturday the shop is open from 11 am to 7 am.
More informations
5 cité du Vauxhaull
75010 Paris
Stations : Republique, Goncourt
(c)Michel Derouault
France has many historical sites but one is particularly significant because it has been a huge part of history: Saint Denis Basilica. The first historical figures buried on site were St Denis, first archbishop of Paris and king Dagobert. Afterwards the basilica became the royal necropolis for many famous kings and queens including Louis XIV and Henry IV. During the Revolution tombs were opened and remains dispersed. It’s only in the middle of the following century that Viollet le Duc, already famous for his work on Notre-Dame, started renovating the basilica. Remaining statues and bones and monuments left untouched during the Revolution were brought back in St Denis. In 2004, the heart of the young Louis XVII was encased in the wall of the sepulture.
I remember being very impressed as a child when I visited the basilica with my class. St Denis is not usually considered as a place of interest except for people passionate about sports but the trip is definitely worth it.
The place is open from April to September from 10 am to 6:15 pm (12 am – 6:15 pm on Sundays) and from 10 am to 5:15pm from October to Mars.
If you’re not staying at St Denis Suitehotel you can access the basilica from lign 13, St Denis Basilica Stop.
Today for the good tip of the week we’re staying in Paris for a little while. Recently I’ve been to an exhibition at the BNF (National Library) that really was worth the trip. I’ve been a long time admirer of Honoré Daumier, the famous French caricaturist. So when I heard the national library was showing some of his works I booked the date. The display is held at the old buildings of the Rue de Richelieu a few feet away from the Palais Royal Gardens.
Until the 9th of June you have the occasion to admire more than 200 prints of the artist and understand how lithographs really worked. Some unique pieces even carry handwritten comments from the master. If some pieces dealing with politics are harder to grasp, most of them are extremely fresh and will at least provoke a smile.
At the same time, on the other side of the Seine, the modern BNF was presenting a parallel exhibition comparing Daumier to modern caricaturists. Sadly this one is now closed but you still have time to visit the first one. It really puts things into perspective.
More information :
Bibliothèque nationale de France, site Richelieu, 58 rue Richelieu, Paris 2e. (March 4 to June 9, 2008.)
