Despite this blog post being two months into my time in Paris, it is about a shop that I came across on my first day in the city. Moving house is a stressful experience, however moving cities is exciting. The blank slate is intriguing, ready to be decorated with alluring places and discoveries. I started this process from the get go and like to think of it as my alternative map of Paris. Forget the metro map, tourist boards and guide books, I decided to view Paris as a print of my favourite places, beautiful views, exquisite shops and intriguing sites. Therefore, I consider "Julian" on Boulevard Le Tour Malbourg as the first illustration on my personal Parisian map. It sounds ridiculous but spotting this shop on my first walk around my new arrondissement was the first indication that I had that Paris would become my home, a place where I felt welcomed and settled. Its hard not to fall in love with such a beautiful place. Julian was opened four generations ago and has continued to be a thriving family business in the heart of Paris, a rare find in most cities that are overcome with department stores, chains and franchises. This city really cherishes it independent boutiques and it fills me with love that Parisians still support their local businesses by purchasing their food from artisan and specialist food shops, bread from patisseries, clothes from boutiques, perfume from parfumeries etc etc etc. In fact, in French there is a word for just about every type of trade and trader and the word "magasin," inferring one shop for all, is almost treated like a dirty word. Except of course when talking about Printemps and Galleries Lafayette, in which case you are excused. It is not difficult to embrace this love of the independent for the idea contains in itself a love for the special and unique, with each purchase warming your heart slightly.
Mood - in the mood to visit the patisserie!
