Un Cafe Litteraire.

Still one of the most famous cafes in Paris, Les Deux Magots was once home to the literary and intellectual elite. Names like Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ernest Hemingway were among its frequent visitors. Now popular with both tourists and Parisians alike, it offers a great station for people-watching as it is located right on boulevard St-Germain across from the Eglise St-Germain des Pres. Although not inexpensive, the cost of a café crème or a Perrier will earn you the right to enjoy the view for as long as you like. Unlike American restaurants, the waiter will not pressure you to order food or to abandon your table. “Magots” is the French word for Chinese porcelain figurines and was the name of the shop that preceded the café (and the shop sold such figurines), so they stuck with the name. The name is based on a popular play in China “Les Deux Magots de la Chine” or “Two Figurines from China.” Today, two wooden statutes of the Magots adorn one of the pillars inside. While its Left Bank neighborhood is no longer the hotbed of artistic and intellectual life that it was in the 1950s, Les Deux Magots has continued to maintain its status as a draw for aspiring writers by awarding an annual literary prize to a French writer of note. Today, St-Germain des Pres is more affluent with antique shops, designer fashion boutiques, and trendy shops. Still, it is rumored that Les Deux Magots has the best hot chocolate in Paris. That and the fact that it is a Paris institution make it worth a trip.

Les Deux Magots, 6 place St-Germain des Pres. [6e.]
www.lesdeuxmagots.fr
Metro: St-Germain des Pres.

Bio Market.

Looking for a bio market or just want to market like a Parisian on Sunday morning? Then map it and make it to the market on Boulevard Raspail. While organic produce is the main event, there’s more for the sampling: gourmet cheeses, fresh fish, and chicken rotisserie style. If cooked food’s your thing, don’t fret. The line in front of the grill marked "cheesy potato pancakes" attests to their greatness. If you are looking for lighter fare, look no further than “Le Riz et 8 Legumes.” Even if you don’t speak French, it’s easy to understand. Besides, it’s cooking in a giant pan that looks like a flying saucer and calls for tasting. It wasn’t ready before I parted, but several people oohed and ahhed. I did sample the nuts and “les pruneaux” at Epilia. Wonderful dried prunes! They kindly notify their customers on a paper bag of their upcoming “vacances.” They will be gone for a month nonetheless. If perfume is of interest, then try “I Love Les Carottes.” Well, it is an organic market. One couple braved the crowd with a double stroller “avec les enfants.” Standing behind, they were able to avoid saying, “pardon” (the French are ever so polite) while strolling down the corridor of bio. Before parting, one final stop at the boulangerie, Patibio, for a raisin roll. Heavenly. Even if you don’t partake in the food festival, it’s fabulous fun.

Marche Raspail, blvd Raspail near rue de Rennes [6e].
Metro: Rennes.