Breakfast in Paris

Spoil yourselves.

Parisians usually do not believe in the big breakfast concept that Americans do. The main heavy and multi course meals in Paris are lunch and dinner. Parisians prefer to keep their breakfast simple and humble. A most common Paris breakfast includes a platter of Croissants, tartine, some fruits or fruit juice and coffee with milk. Croissants are bread rolls, a bit buttery or can be flaky pastries too. Tartines are French bread thin sliced lengthwise and served with butter and jam.  A cup of coffee with milk better known as ‘cafe creme’ in French is a must in the menu for breakfast. A cup of coffee in breakfast makes the day for most in Paris.
The most preferred traditional destination for breakfast is a sidewalk cafe. It is really a pleasure to sip into a cup of coffee in any of the cafes in Paris especially in the morning. Parisians think it an appropriate way of starting a day. Even small bakeries offer simple and palatable breakfasts. The costs are moderate and budget friendly. Some do have tables. One big advantage of bakeries is that you can bring your coffee or else they may also serve you. Posh cafes may dig a big hole in your pockets but such is not the case with bakeries.  Pain au chocolat with croissant is an ideal combination and lip smacking too. Le Pick Clops is a good place that offers sumptuous breakfast.

For all those who are used to start the day with heavy breakfasts, Paris will not disappoint you. There are omelettes of different kinds, both egg and meat. A few Paris cafes also offer mid-morning brunch. A menu of top ten breakfast delicacies available in Paris will surely include Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Pain aux raisins, Pain Suisse, Broiche, Palmier, Croissant aux abricots and chouquettes.

Croissants are the king of French breakfast. It can be served plain or fried in butter when it is called ‘croissant au beurre’. Pain au Chocolat is meant for Sunday treats and is a hit among the kids. Pain aux raisins are pastry like items creamy inside and sprinkled with raisins. Pain Suisse is one of the most popular items. It has cream on pastry base stuffed with chocolate nuggets. Broiche makes for a traditional item. It has a classic look with its small delicate beautifully curved shapes.

If you too conscious of your daily calorie intake and are looking for less-calorie staffs the brochie fits your bill. You can select between the humble plain ones and those with toppings of crunchy sugar. Palmier is flat, large structured with a crunchy feeling and Croissant aux abricots is sweet and fruity, a delectable combination for those with a sweet tooth. However, a good way of saving money at least in your breakfasts is to buy some croissants from any bakery carry ‘coffee a porter’, take a seat on bench facing the Seine and enjoy the quaint, serene ambience with the morning freshness in the air.

August preferred time to visit Paris

Summer is the best time to visit this Roman Catholic cathedral city of France. The weather is at its best from June to September. The sun-soaked city during this part of the year becomes over crowded as tourists from across the globe prefer this season to visit this place.

To the local residents, Paris wears a complete new look in August. It seems foreign visitors take the reins of the city in their own hands forcing the locals to accommodate themselves in little space.

Most of the well-to-do citizens often abandon this city making space for the foreigners to escape the cramming and excessive din and bustle.

Paris gets into a festive mood during this time and welcomes its visitors with an open arm. Not all locals leave the city during this time, some really enjoy the over enthusiasms of the excited visitors which spread like an infection.

The entire ambience changes, the city becomes laid back and comes under the grip of the festivity during this time.

But it has its negative sides. The beaches are overcrowded, the streets become chock-o-block, the restaurants are filled to the capacity and even many hotels have accommodation problems. The traffic moves at a snail’s pace but that does not diminish the thrill of cheerful visitors.

This is the time when Paris hosts numerous free events. Open-air cinemas, live music concerts are added draws for tourists. But one must not forget that all these come at a price and in Paris the price is really high.

One may mistake Paris for an amusement park while strolling along the well-decked up beaches especially those along the Seine River.

August is the perfect time to cruise through the world famous rivers, canals and other waterways.

Paris has about 8,000 restaurants which do a moderate to good business during this season.

For the French, August is the time to stay laid back. They indulge in hosting parties, going for night outs and different gatherings. Beaches serve several purposes. A lazy stroll along the beaches will arrest your attention to a lot of things happening, some just are just lying and relaxing, others are reading and still others having grand picnics.

Every year Parisians enjoy innumerable movies free of cost on a huge outdoor screen, that’s again another event there.

Paris in August is usually warm and to some extent sweltering on many occasions but rain also frequent. An autumn-like weather will embrace tourists in Paris during this time.

Free events in Paris in August

If you want to be a part of the hordes of free events and outdoor activities organized on various locations on the outskirts of Paris, then summer or more specifically August is the best time to visit the cathedral city of Paris. A trip to Paris in itself sounds very enthralling for tourists and free events add as icing on the cake.

Throughout August the beaches of Seine and the Bassin de la Villette will have everything to satiate the reveler’s upbeat spirits. The tourists will be spoilt for options as there will be game parlours, cafe shops and even boating facilities.

The Sous La Plage Festival comprising various workshops, DJs performances and plenty of dance shows is a must for the Parisians and tourists alike. There is a lot in store for children too.

Then there is the Firemen’s Balls where Parisians dance all night with sexy and daring firemen. This is a way of celebrating their ‘fraternite’.

‘Festival Quartier d’ete’ is an event continuing for more than 24 days. This annual function is all about celebrating the high culture on the streets of Paris. Innumerable dance shows, musical concerts, theatre performances make this event a hit every year. With circus, classical music and even Cuban hip hop, this event is a hit among people of all age groups and all tastes.

Beach events called Paris Plages start on July 20 and continue for a month. The beaches along the Seine and the Bassin de la Villettee are all decked up with palm trees, colorful lights. There are lounge chairs and various activities are organised keeping the children in mind. It goes without saying that the foodies find all sorts of delicacies to gorge on and satisfy their hunger and thirst.

From August 1 to 15 the Batofar peniche on the Quai Francois Mauriac hosts open-air free festivals where short films, animations, short documentaries and experimental films are showcased.

Again from August 1 to 11 another cinema festival makes up for the perfect entertainment on each night for Parisians. The Clair de Lune open-air cinema festival shows foreign films with subtitles.

In the mid-weeks of August the Paris summer festival comes with fascinating theatre shows and classical music concerts. It is sponsored by French Ministry of Culture. The ticket prices depend on the standard of performances.

Throughout August there are numerous colorful  events, cultural conferences, art exhibitions and plenty of eating and drinking festivals to enliven the spirits of all those who step in Paris.