Paris - (Fall 2025) - Day 5
Finally time to do the last load of laundry on the trip. It was a cold and rainy morning so might as well do some chores.
Sister's Coffee
While waiting for the wash cycle, we got a coffee and pastry at this neighborhood shop. The place was tiny but they had a few seats at the window to enjoy the breakfast.
Café Daguerre
For the dry cycle of the laundry we headed to this cafe which anchors Rue Daguerre on one side. We would return a later day for some drinks while sitting outside in better weather. Had some tea since I already had some coffee earlier.
MONK La Taverne de Cluny
We ventured to the Saint-Germain area and stopped into this cafe for some snacks (oeuf mayonnaise and poutine). The soccer on the tv gave this place an English pub vibe.
Chartreuse Paris-Vauvert
This place was the big discovery of the day. We were not searching for it but just found it while just walking the street. Apparently there are only two such Chartreuse rooms in the world. One is where the monks make the liqueur in the mountains in southern France and the other one is here in Paris.
They had displays about the history of chartreuse and a sample still as well as bins full of the different herbs that you could open and smell.
In the US you can get the standard yellow and green chartreuse (when there is not a shortage - I think the monks should work harder and make more). Here they offer several varieties that you cannot get in the US. Even better, there is a tasting room in the back where you can sample them or order a chartreuse cocktail if you were in the mood.
Will visit this place on my next visit. The restored restaurant is on the what is said to be the site of the oldest cafe in Paris and claims that it was frequented by many famous historical figures.
Cour du Commerce Saint-André
A famous walkway in Paris
Mariage Frères (Rive Gauche)
It was time to buy some expensive tea as gifts to bring back home. This shop has several locations in Paris but this one has a bit older feel and also has a little tea museum in the basement.
Views from Pont Neuf
We had some time to kill before a reservation for a champagne tasting so we walked around Pont Neuf and enjoyed the view.
Dilettantes Cave à Champagne
We scheduled a champagne tasting at this shop (which was also across the street from the tea shop). You go into the basement wine cave of the shop and there is seating for about six to eight people for an intimate tasting among their stacks of bottles.
The guide explained the different regions and styles that we were tasting through the event. They did the explanations in both French and English because there was a mix of customers that day.
Le Brazza
Took a little break while walking at this little tabac cafe. They had a few sidewalk seats so we grabbed one of the tables to rest a bit and watch the late afternoon world go by.
Le Bon Marché
This place was like a temple of food. There was every kind of fresh or packaged food and beverages on multiple floors. They also had little mini-restaurant stands where you could get prepared food. Great samples to be had around every corner and on this day they had a free scotch tasting (some were high end expensive bottles). We would come back the next day and order up some of the fancy pastries in the bakery.
Maison Péret
Back in the Daguerre neighborhood where the hotel was situated, we sought out a proper French meal. In this case it was duck confit and steak frites. This was a popular locals restaurant. There must have been a poker tournament somewhere in Paris because a bunch of professionals came in and occupied a table in the back while we were eating.