La Baguette Machines

My niece sent me this photo from a tiny village

near Bar le Duc in the Meuse area of France. 

It feels like a sign of the times. 

I thought maybe it was due to Covid 

but another friend saw my post about it on Instagram

and sent me this NYTimes article .  

Bakeries in France are closing at a sadly rapid rate

particularly in small villages. 

Young people aren't interested in the work's long hours

and many people are no longer eating as much bread. 

And when the boulangerie closes and people have to go elsewhere to shop for their bread, 

often the butcher (boucherie) or caterer (traiteur) next to them must close as well. 

As much as I hate this change, 

If I was in a hurry and had to drive miles to another village to buy bread

and one of these was within walking distance of my house,

guess where I'd sometimes get my bread. 

But also probably try to make sure I made errands in the next village 

and stopped at their bakery as often as possible. 

So many changes these days.

Another version of the Buy Locally idea. 

Have you shopped at your little neighborhood market lately?! 

(Photo credit: Victoria Delon)

 

Wooded Bliss~Missing Paris Day

 Had to share a few more photos of the ancient buildings

of Bar le Duc. 

It's no secret that I love doors and windows...

and especially the wooded doors and ceilings of medieval times.

And there's no shortage of them here. 

Look at what this window revealed.

 The dining room where I will be a guest on this next trip to Bar le Duc

has a similar ceiling only with a luscious, deep turquoise shade between the beams. 

Wonder what's for lunch in this room today? 

Maybe a little wild boar stuffed with the champignons of the Lorraine area

and a piece of this sweetness with a dark cafe creme. 

And yes, I was teased and giggled at for taking this photo.

The woman behind the counter couldn't understand why I would want a shot of it.

My photography companion tried to explain with a shrug of her shoulders:  "C'est different." 

I've been told that Bar le Duc has some of the oldest buildings in the area

and this Monument Historique sign gives you an idea of just how old.

And then there's my favorite: the timbered-house. 

I never tire of gazing at this style. 

There are a couple in Paris I'll have to find on this visit and share with you.

I only found them recently though they stand just around the corner from a place I've walked by 

over and over throughout the years. 

One of the things I love about Paris!

Bon Lundi toute la monde! 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

One-time Residence of the Duc de Bar~ Missing Paris Day

Always when we travel to Paris,

we visit family in Bar le Duc,

a small town in the Meuse Departement of Lorraine

about 3 hours east of Paris. 

When I came to the Old Town section for the first time twenty years ago,

I took a similar photo of this window 

which was just as dressed up as you see it now

(though the valences portrayed the flowers of summer). 

I love the lavender wreath

and matching pots and boughs.

Many of the houses of the old town 

date back from the 15th to 17th centuries.

And on my last visit, I pointed and clicked 

at houses, doors and windows from all directions... 

...and traversed the many old walkways

that still resemble the days of the Dukes. 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)