As we鈥檝e had to postpone our travels because of the pandemic, I believe a weekly dose of travel dreaming can be good medicine. Here鈥檚 a reminder of the fun that awaits us in Europe at the other end of this crisis.
I grew up thinking cheese was no big deal. It was orange and the shape of the bread: slap, fwomp 鈥� cheese sandwich. Even though I鈥檓 still far from a gourmet eater, my time in Paris 鈥� specifically shopping at the Rue Cler street market with my restaurateur friend Marie 鈥� has substantially bumped up my appreciation of good cuisine.
In the skinny shadow of the Eiffel Tower, Rue Cler still feels like village Paris. Lined with shops that spill out into the street, it鈥檚 also bustling with shoppers. Marie explains that Parisians shop almost daily for three good reasons: their tiny kitchens have tiny refrigerators, fresh produce makes for a good meal, and they like shopping. It鈥檚 an important social event: a chance to hear about the butcher鈥檚 vacation, see photos of the florist鈥檚 new grandchild, relax over un caf茅, and kiss the cheeks of friends. Demonstrating back and forth on my cheeks, Marie says, 鈥淭he Parisian standard is twice for acquaintances (kiss, kiss) and three times for friends you haven鈥檛 seen in a while 鈥� like you (kiss, kiss, kiss).鈥�
The neighbourhood produce shop wraps around the corner with an enticing rainbow of fruits and vegetables on display. Next door, the fishmonger sells the freshest fish, which are brought in daily from ports on the English Channel, 100 miles away.
At the boucherie, Marie shows me things I might have otherwise avoided on her menu: rognons (kidneys), foie (liver), coeur de boeuf (heart of beef). She hoists a duck to check the feet; they should be rough and calloused, an indication that they weren鈥檛 stuck in an industrial kennel but ran free on a farm. She explains, 鈥淲hile Americans prefer beef, pork, and chicken, we French eat just as much rabbit (lapin), quail (caille), lamb (agneau), and duck (canard). The head of a calf is a delight for its many tasty bits.鈥� The meat is seasonal. In the winter, game swings from the ceiling.
Farther down Rue Cler, the picnic-friendly charcuterie (or traiteur) sells mouthwatering deli food to go. Because apartment kitchens are so small, these handy gourmet delis make it easy for Parisians to supplement their dinners in style.
The smell of cheese heralds the fromagerie. It鈥檚 a festival of mold, with wedges, cylinders, balls, and miniature hockey pucks all powdered white, gray, and burnt marshmallow. Browsing with me through a world of different types of cheese, Marie explains, 鈥淥oh la la means you鈥檙e impressed. If you like cheese, show greater excitement with more las. Ooh la la la la.鈥�
She leads me to the goat-cheese corner, holds the stinkiest glob close to her nose, takes a deep, orgasmic breath, and exhales, saying, 鈥淵es, this smells like zee feet of angels.鈥�
The white-smocked cheesemonger knows Marie well. Sensing I鈥檓 impressed by his shop, he points out the old photo on the wall from when his father ran the shop. It was labeled BOF for beurre, oeuf, fromage. For generations, this has been the place where people go for butter, eggs, and cheese. As if I鈥檓 about to become a convert to the church of stinky cheese, he takes us into the back room for a peek at les meules 鈥� the big, 170-pound wheels (250 gallons of milk go into each). Explaining that the 鈥渉ard鈥� cheeses are cut from these, he warns me, 鈥淒on鈥檛 eat the skin of these big ones鈥hey roll them on the floor. But the skin on most smaller cheeses 鈥� the Brie, the Camembert 鈥� that is part of the taste.鈥� Marie chimes in, 鈥淚t completes the package.鈥�
And what鈥檚 cheese without bread? The bakery is our final stop. Locals debate the merits of rival boulangeries. It鈥檚 said that a baker cannot be good at both bread and pastry. At cooking school, they major in one or the other. But here on Rue Cler, the baker bucks the trend. Marie explains that this baker makes good bread (I get a baguette for my sandwich) and delicious pastries. Voil脿, dessert!
By now, I鈥檝e assembled the ingredients for the perfect picnic. Marie heads off to her restaurant, while I head for a park bench with a view of the Eiffel Tower, settle in, and enjoy my Rue Cler feast. A passerby smiles and wishes me a cheery 鈥淏on app茅tit!鈥�
-- This article was adapted from Rick鈥檚 new book, For the Love of Europe.
Rick Steves () writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. You can email Rick at [email protected] and follow his blog on Facebook
