Paris, France is a storybook city filled with classical architecture that was built over the centuries by royal families that reigned for over one thousand years. The city is filled with beautiful palaces and royal keeps that were created not only to beautify and provide a regal backdrop for Europe’s prestigous leaders, but these edifices were created with an eye toward high art, beauty, design and nature. It was the goal to mesh these elements together to inspire awe, envy and a sense of belonging to greatness. There is something beautiful to look at every turn in Paris. One of my favorites is the Luxembourg Palace and the surrounding Luxembourg Gardens. The site is now home to the French Senate and also the beloved Marie De Medici Fountain.
It’s customary for the French to repose in their parks. There are designated areas for children to play, laugh loudly and shout and in these areas it’s perfectly fine to make noise. The rest of the park is for rest, contemplation and distressing from the daily demands of city life. It’s expected that persons repose quietly. Meditation, reading books or conversing quietly is how to deport oneself in a beautiful Parisienne park. Even the Gardners move quietly and without attracting attention while they meticulously complete the daily manicuring.
Within the peaceful setting is located another Parisienne great, Angelina. A Parisienne staple for the who’s who of Paris. Angelina is a cafe that is and was a stomping ground for artists, writers and designers. Coco Chanel loved to frequent Angelina. Angelina came to life during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the century. It was founded by Anton Rumplemayer, Austrian pastry designer and chef. His confections were so well loved, that he was awarded the title “Confectioner of The Court” by the Austrian royal family. Angelina is known for delicious pastries, teas and coffee and most famously for it’s African Hot Chocolate comprised of cocoa from Niger, Ghana and The Ivory Coast. Served with a decent portion of fresh cream to mix in if a creamy consistency is desired.
Angelina has several locations in Paris now and has gone what we call “commercial” in the US. They have gone full blown into the marketing spectrum and it’s easy to buy their products now. The Angelina I visited was situated on the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens, in a lovely quiet alcove. The cafe is somewhat small, with gorgeous floor to ceiling glass patio doors that open into the gardens.
I sat on the patio overlooking the cafe patio and the entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was a great location to watch passerbys and get a taste of city life.
I have to admit I wanted to order their famous African hot chocolate with fresh cream, but I decided to go with tea instead, since I still had quite a bit of walking to do. It was all served on beautiful china at a lovely table with fresh linen and service wear polished to the hilt. The servers were attentive, but non-intrusive. As I drank my tea, I listed to the birds sing and watched impossibly thin and well dressed Parisiennes go about their daily life. It was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had.
I ordered a chicken salad sandwich for an early dinner. It was beautifully presented and just as delicious as it was beautiful. The tea was The Angelina signature Oolong melange consisting of a blend of exotic fruit, pineapple, marigold and safflower petals. The bouquet of the tea was light and floral with hints of citrus and was smooth and refreshing.
Combined with the awesome tea, food and view, a sense of well-being and peace settled over the cafe. Sounds from the gardens and fountains of children laughing and playing, water splashing, birds singing and the traffic passing mixed; as if by a sound board master to create a soundtrack of the perfect Parisienne afternoon. I wondered if the ghosts of Marie De Medici and her royal cohorts looked down and smiled at their legacy that had managed to maintain it’s presence into modern times.
