The Dry Cleaner's

One of the most interesting things about travel is that there is always something new to learn.  We aren't talking about the museums, galleries, theatres, etc., but rather the small elements of daily life.  For example, the whole process of getting one's clothes clean using the local laundromat.  We have described this process elsewhere.  But recently we found that we needed to have clothes dry cleaned. There were plenty of shops that quite clearly dry cleaned clothes along with all sorts of other things.  Looking at several of the dry cleaning shops in the neighbourhood the process looked all too familiar but we had been warned that we would have to pay in advance. 

The Dry Cleaners

Everything we had read advised us that French dry cleaners required advance payment. As with most things French, the process was very formal, explaining to Madame that we wanted two pairs of trousers nettoyer à sec (dry cleaned).  She carefully examined the garments before accepting them and issuing the ticket.  When asked how much we owed her she looked at us as if we had suddenly gone mad.  She was careful in telling us (down to the hour) when our garments would be ready and we would be expected to pay when we picked them up. So much for all the advice.

Of greater importance to all Paris was that this week saw the announcement of the best baguette in that city! The winner was Ridha Khadher from the Left Bank shop, Au Paradis du Gourmand. 

And the winner is ...

Needless to say, Montmartre is in deepest mourning for it has produced winners for the last half-dozen years or so.  There are mutterings of "we have been robbed" and talk of revolution in the 18eme and around the boulangeries.

The baguette is a cultural symbol of Paris, so it's no surprise they take their baked bread very seriously.Two hundred and three Parisian bakers entered the competition. Fifty two entries were quickly disqualified for not meeting the strict guidelines of length and weight.

Weighing and Measuring

Then the entries were tasted and sniffed to determine the winner. The winner's prize, the privilege of baking bread for the French President, François Hollande (whose approval rating with the French public is far lower than the approval rating of the winning baguette). 

Judgement Time

Of greater importance is the publicity which will bring flocks of Parisians to his door not only this year but for many years in the future.   For him, the baguette really is a "baguette d'or".

But enough, I think we now need to hop on the bus and head over to Au Paradis du Gourmand to check out what the excitement is all about.