Shopping in Julia Child’s Paris

Happy Monday.  I am so excited to share this little tidbit with you today.  When I was in France last month, I thought it was only fitting to channel Julia Childs and read the latest biography about her while I was there.

 

 

Although I have already read several books by her or about her (and I saw Julie and Julia four times), I thoroughly enjoyed getting up close and personal with her once again.  And since I was in Paris, I strolled  Rue de l’Universite, the street where she lived.  The book provided lots of information about the struggles she went through to get her book published, but the part I enjoyed most was the pre-book section.  It told the readers details of her life growing up in a posh neighborhood in California, her college days, and her time with the Civil Patrol.

 

On the Paris day that I set aside for shopping, I made sure to visit E. Dehillerin which was Julia’s favorite go-to shop for her cooking equipment.  And let me tell you, it was like walking back in time.  I am sure some of the dust was there when Julia shopped there. (I only took my point and shoot camera with me, so excuse the quality of these photos).

 

When entering the store, I was greeted by this fabulous wall of copper.

 

There were all types, shapes, and sizes of pots and…..

 

…..sauce pans.

 

I was crazy about his hammered copper wine cooler.  It weighed a ton at least.  (If you look closely, you can see the old dust on the bottle).

 

There was a table full of knives in all sizes.

 

Didn’t I say it was like walking back in time?  Have you ever seen such a selection of whisks like those on the right?  I bought the item I needed in this section.  I have been wanting a French rolling pin for years, and what better place to buy it than Julia Child’s favorite store?

 

 

They even put the ceiling to good use.  It might not surprise you to learn there was not a computer in sight.  I gave my purchase to one man who wrote out my receipt with pencil.  I took it to a lady at another desk where I paid.  Then I returned to the first counter to pick up my purchase which was wrapped in brown paper.

 

 

This is the entry to the basement which was like walking into the catacombs.  It was dark and dusty and lined with HUGE utensils.  Some of the pans were so heavy, I strained to lift them.

 

Another store on my list was G. Detou, located just a few blocks away.

 

Again, it was one of those walking back in time stores.  The shelves were lined with interesting and colorful baking, cooking and eating items.  For instance, there was an entire shelf full of mustards.  I am a nut about good mustard, but they were heavier than I wanted to deal with since I was in charge of getting myself and my luggage home.

 

 

Look at the beautiful packaging on simple sardines and tuna.  And aren’t the olive oils beautiful?

 

 

G. Detou had everything for the baker and cake decorator.

 

 

I was in search of one thing and found it!  I bought some vanilla beans to make some more vanilla.  The batch I put together in the spring is ready to use, and I am thrilled.

*****

 

Have you searched out any special shops on your trips?  Please tell us your stories.

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Take care.

Linking to  le chateau desfleur