“Artisan Boulanger” read the large lettering over the entrance on the deep blue worn paneling of the storefront. It was a simple, yet bold and confident expression of talent. Our local bakers literally consider themselves “skilled craftsmen.” We paid them a visit each of our mornings in Paris. A red…
Brian HoffsisNovember 17, 2020
My feet made a sound like a galloping horse on the wood as they skipped down the spiral staircase. With a thump of the glass my palm forced open the door, and my feet picked up the pace carrying me in a near run down Rue Saint-Denis. I had woken,…
Brian HoffsisNovember 16, 2020
“Which way are we going?” I presented for open discussion. “I don’t know. Just walking.” Amanda casually tossed back in my direction as she led in silent determination. We were resolved to get out on the streets but had not the slightest plan. While both of us actually love this…
Brian HoffsisNovember 15, 2020
Luxembourg Palace was built by the recently widowed Marie de Médici in the 17th century. With her king husband dead, Marie retreated from the Tuileries to a new palace where she would raise her son until his ascent to the throne as Louis XIII. Importing Italian architects she modeled this…
Brian HoffsisNovember 14, 2020
Bobby looked down at the heavy stock paper in his hand and then quickly off into the distance, then back to the paper. “I found one!” he exclaimed. He thrust his finger out into the air of the enormous former train station terminal and toward a very large banner hanging…
Brian HoffsisNovember 14, 2020
The grand monument grew from over the rooftops like a giant misplaced paperweight. I wondered if it was possible for the tower to be too large as I strained my neck just to get it in view. We had already had a bit of a contentious relationship with the Eiffel…
Brian HoffsisNovember 13, 2020
Two beautiful restaurants with tables adorned in white clothes flanked the mouth of the peculiar road that lay ahead of us. One of them bore ornate decorations from its elegant boulangerie past. Both were closed and preparing for the dinner hour. The leafy pedestrian lane meandered upward beyond their purview…
Brian HoffsisNovember 13, 2020
A morning with the Impressionist masters at the Musee d’Orsay Lunch at a nearby classic Parisian cafe A leisurely stroll along the stately paths of the Tuileries Garden - bounce on the trampolines and rampage at the playground An afternoon picnic in the secluded Palais Royal among its arcaded columns…
Brian HoffsisNovember 12, 2020
Some people love generating excitement in children. Afterall, it’s so fun to see their hopes and happiness climb to great heights. And they’re just so easily manipulated. It’s possible to trick a child into thinking a trip to the park or grocery store or dentist is like a visit to…
Brian HoffsisNovember 10, 2020