While many people prefer to stay in the 6th arr. by Saint Germain des Pres in Paris, I always choose to stay in the 2nd arr. perhaps because I’ve gotten used to the area, but also because I really just love the 2nd district.
When I talk about shopping in Paris, it is no longer just confined to the usual Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, Avenue Montaigne, Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, and Printemps. Funny thing actually is, on this trip, I hadn’t even gone to any of those long enough to say “I went shopping there!”.
Shopping to me has a new meaning 🙂 It’s actually going to the Rue Montorguiel market in the morning in the 2nd arr. to buy fresh produce and to hurriedly head back to the apartment to cook up some new dish *haha domestic!!*.
Let me share with you some of my favorite spots in the 2nd arr. — to shop, and more importantly, to eat 🙂
1. LA FROMAGERIE: One of the best fromageries in the area is located along the market street of Rue Montorguiel called La Fromagerie. At the very back of the place where you would’ve easily missed it, is where their prized cheesecake sits. A few years ago, I bought a teeny tiny slice of it and brought it back to the apartment for a taste. I was never a cheesecake fan. That first bite sent me running back to La Fromagerie within 5 minutes for a bigger 2nd slice 😉
It was THAT good. And it didn’t come cheap 🙁 a bigger slice set me back by about €10 haha. But I tell you, it was a pretty hefty cheesecake. And it was worth every Euro spent 😉 I also love specialty cheeses like the tomato (red) and the pesto (green) flavoured ones along with my usual Comté and Gouda.
The fromagerie can vacuum seal the cheeses you buy, in case you wish to travel with them.
2. STOHRER: The oldest patisserie in Paris, it was also one of the favorites of Queen Elizabeth 😉 These beautifully glazed pastries on their window are actually savory treats worthy of seconds.
I almost went foodshopping broke because I spent all my money in here just so I could try everything haha. Everything in here is worth trying. Be prepared to spend
3. LE BOUI BOUI: Off Rue Montorguiel is a small street called Rue Marie Stuart. I actually took a chance on this restaurant while Simon and I were looking for a place to eat after a long day of filming for Star World.
Le Boui Boui had saucisse (sausage) on the menu, and that was the one dish that sealed the deal for us.
And I swear by the Aligot: mashed potatoes blended with cheese. Never had any mashed potatoes THIS good!!
On another occasion I had the magret de canard, also with aligot. Soooo gooood!!!
4. LA GAUFRERIE: This is also along Rue Marie Stuart. But I confess. I have yet to try this only because I am trying to stay away from sweets. And I’d much rather have sweet waffles than savory ones. But La Gaufrerie does have savory waffles as well and from what my local friends have shared with me, it is a must- try. I still want to go there for sweets, but this place makes it on my list only also because my friends have recommended it 🙂
5. PASSAGE DU GRAND CERF: Come to think of it, there are a few good restaurants that line Rue Marie Stuart on the way to this beautiful covered gallery called Passage du Grand Cerf. This is a real gem in the 2nd arr. and is a must- visit. Quaint little shops (very local) can be found inside the gallery. One of my favorites is Rickshaw. There are just so many little knick knacks in this store, apart from a lot of antiques that the owners have beautifully curated. I wanted to buy some furniture here but boohoo, customs issues in the Philippines have discouraged me ;(
There are also some real nice jewellery/ accessories boutiques in the Passage du Grand Cerf that are worth looking into, and these boutiques are definitely not the “commercial” kind 😉
I have more places on the 2nd arr. that I’ll be sharing with you on my next post, so stay tuned im the next day or two! If you are in Paris for a week, the 2nd arrondisement is really worth exploring .
x
TheBagHag