More American visitors, this time Brenda and Doug Walton from California. They're in Paris for a month celebrating their wedding anniversary! Visit Brenda's blog here to read about their travel experiences and see samples of Brenda's work (and take a peek at her glorious studio). You're probably already familiar with Brenda's creations - I didn't know her until she contacted me about my blog. Earlier this week, they went to the secret brocante in Passy, where they were thoroughly entertained by the owner's tales of his eventful life.
The Waltons met me this afternoon to visit Agape, then came to our place for tea and conversation - and treats purchased at my favourite local boulangerie, Le Grenier au Pain. When I asked if the Waltons could take photos in the boulangerie, not only did the kind staff members agree, they invited us for a tour of the premises!
The baker Baptiste is pictured with Doug and Brenda Walton. Baptiste gets up at 4 a.m. most mornings to bake bread. Originally from Rennes, he did his boulangerie training in Chartres.
Le Grenier au Pain is an award-winning boulangerie, featuring an exceptional variety of breads, sandwiches and desserts. In annual competitions, it consistently ranks among the top boulangeries in France.
Freshly-baked loaves cool on the racks.
Baskets of delicious baguettes ready for the evening rush!
Pastries await delectable fillings and embellishment.
Baptiste is so young! He must have a real passion for it to get up at 4 a.m. every day. Bless the bakers!
Posted by: Colette | 29 October 2007 at 02:54
Wonderful photos - what a fun experience for all! What a treat to see behind the scenes at the boulangerie. ~JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 28 October 2007 at 19:26
The photo's of Brenda, Doug,Le Grenier au Pain and the patisserie and bread make me very VERY happy. Now I will check out Brenda's blog. Have a wonderful day Ms. Tara.
How's your belly dancing costume coming along?
ps Brenda is a pretty woman.
Posted by: rochambeau | 27 October 2007 at 15:55
this boulangerie tour must have been worth while, gazing at all these french baked goodies and baskets of fresh baguettes!! i can understand why it is your favorite paris parfait bakery!
Posted by: marita | 27 October 2007 at 12:04
YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 27 October 2007 at 06:43
These loaves are works of art! My mouth was watering:)
Posted by: Becca | 27 October 2007 at 04:25
Oh my God woman hand me a loaf!
Posted by: Yoli | 27 October 2007 at 00:34
nicely done photo trip through the bakery; how kind of them to allow you a tour...
I had to see who Baptiste was.... whom cherie was fainting over... I get it now!! ;-)
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 26 October 2007 at 17:03
So interesting to find a loaf of bread that looks suspiciously like one the Italians use to make tiny finger sandwiches, the one in the third picture. They slice it horizontally into thin slices, put a filling between two, top it with a third slice, which then gets filled maybe with a differnt filling, cover it with another slice, then a new slice, which then again gets filled, and so forth. And the end, they devide this tower of round sandwiches vertically into small triangels. This whole concoction makes for a very nice presentation of finger sandwiches.
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 26 October 2007 at 15:45
So interesting to find a loaf of bread that looks suspiciously like one the Italians use to make tiny finger sandwiches, the one in the third picture. They slice it horizontally into thin slices, put a filling between two, top it with a third slice, which then gets filled maybe with a differnt filling, cover it with another slice, then a new slice, which then again gets filled, and so forth. And the end, they slice this tower of round sandwiches vertically, like little cake slices. This whole concoction makes for a very nice presentation of finger sandwiches.
then divide them again vertically.
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 26 October 2007 at 15:44
Just one word: Yum!
Posted by: Catherine | 26 October 2007 at 11:57
MIAM MIAM . I wish I could be here
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | 26 October 2007 at 10:39
What shop do you go to, Tara?
I happened to step into the shop in 13e - several times... a nice atmosphere there ...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 26 October 2007 at 10:00
Oh how nice to get some visitors and a tour on top. I love the French bread very much. My favourite is croissaints. Although these French sticks are very nice as well.
Posted by: marja | 26 October 2007 at 05:56
Yum. Double yum. This is what Paris is all about, isn't it? Freshly baked baguettes. I can smell them now.
Great tour, way to go Tara! Opportunity knocks, you open the door! Always.
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian | 26 October 2007 at 04:52
I am positively salivating over those loaves of bread. And those baguettes! I think it's utterly unfair that the French have this bread thing over on us! Why can't all the bread we make be French?!
Posted by: RD | 26 October 2007 at 03:35
Bread. I LOVE BREAD! My tongues is hanging to the floor! Yum yum. Isn't it nice to meet fellow blog people! ha !
Posted by: Pam Aries | 26 October 2007 at 03:15
Wow, cherie, you ARE busy with visitors! Can't wait to add to your visitors' list soon---we need to pin down day, hour, location, n'est-ce pas?
Xoxo,
L
Posted by: laura | 26 October 2007 at 02:05
a pain o chocolat...yum...love this place...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 26 October 2007 at 01:31
Heaven, I must race down to our lovely local french cake shop www.cacao.com.au right this minute!!! Vida x
Posted by: Vida | 26 October 2007 at 01:18
Oh good grief, my mouth is watering. Bread might be the thing I miss most from France.
Posted by: maia | 26 October 2007 at 00:47
Oh I can smell that bread!!! It looks lovely...speaking of lovely, thanks for snapping a photo of Baptiste...he looks about 12 but I'm sure he's much, much older!! ;)
Enjoy your visitors... OMG..Baptiste has read your blog and signed a post!!! I may faint!!! Now to go translate my English to French!!! LOL!! (oh, what a sweet message!!).
Posted by: Cherie | 26 October 2007 at 00:06
I am so envious. Tell Brenda I love her studio (makes mine look a bit sad) and all that gorgeous French bread makes my mouth water.
By the way I have just finished watching Alan Johnston tell his story on BBC Panorama. Amazing!
Posted by: Di Overton | 25 October 2007 at 23:19
Bonjour! Je vois que vous etes une cliante habituelle du grenier a pain. Très fier et très heureux de vous avoir fait découvrir la boulangerie. Baptiste
Posted by: Baptiste | 25 October 2007 at 21:30
Oh my goodness, I'm so hungry now! Thanks for sharing! I'm off to find some bread--though whatever is in my cupboard will be no match for the loaves at your boulangerie! Yum!
Becky
Posted by: Becky | 25 October 2007 at 21:14