15.25 - Eating well in France. Enjoying spring fromage even into early summer, Fab Paris venues today & yesteryear.
In this FREE edition of le Bulletin you'll want to make a note of these places: Don't miss the recommended restaurants to eat near stations! and much more.
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find yourself immersed in France as usual in le Bulletin, but this week, specifically French food and history: stories, practical tips & recommendations to make a note of - get ready to make a record of these to keep.
Watch out for the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin this weekend: “ 15.25.a - Knowing Paris: inside out - so much to discover, experience, and learn from others.”- It’s not too late to subscribe←
→Are you ready to deepen your French knowledge and connection?
🔓 Here you can UNLOCK EXCLUSIVE FRENCH STORIES:
Become an annual subscriber and save! Enjoy exclusive, intimate glimpses into France and French lives delivered straight to your inbox or the App if you prefer..
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 21.6.2025
1.MyFrenchLife™ Magazine new articles
“There are many talented contributors to MyFrenchLife Magazine and I thank all of you for sharing your experiences with us in such an engaging manner.
You take us right across France & deep into many worm-holes. We delight in discovering
and learning more about France beyond the cliché”
Merci
Judy
a) →Montmartre's old hangouts: Le Rat Mort
by Jennifer Bragg
If the walls could talk, they would have a lot to say…
I recently discovered some old Montmartre hangouts in doing my research of old French menus. The period I’m particularly interested in is the mid- to late-19th century. This was a time when artists, philosophers, writers, and photographers would gather and talk about…” wrote Jenn Bragg.
b) →Restaurant Review: Habile, 16 rue de Lancry, Paris 75010
by Claude Kolm
Habile provides very good-quality seasonal food and a good choice of wines in a pleasant, informal setting. There is good value here…
c) →Where to eat well before taking the train from Paris
by Victor Coutard
An excellent coverage here by Victor. Very useful. Make a note, now.
Judy
8 great meals just minutes from your platform
Paris has seven major train stations serving destinations across France and Europe. Each one has its own personality—architecture, destinations, atmosphere. But they all share a common flaw: the food options inside the stations are not worthy of the journey ahead…” wrote Victor.
d) → The Wonder of Fromage: Fresh French Cheeses—Perfect for Spring
by Emily Monaco
Fresh cheeses are typically the youngest offerings in any cheese case, and while you can certainly make them with the milk of any animal, in France specifically, these tend to be small, lactic goat’s cheeses.
Sixteen of France’s 47 AOP cheeses are chèvres, and you’ll also find loads of non-AOP goat cheeses all over the hexagon…” wrote Emily Monaco
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
Mon Dieu! What a feast we've shared today - from Montmartre's artistic ghosts to spring's freshest fromages! I feel like we've taken a proper flânerie (leisurely stroll) through France together, haven't we?
Franchement (frankly), I'm already excited about what we'll explore together next week. Until then, keep that French curiosity alive - and don't hesitate to share your own discoveries with me!
Until next week…
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
Here’s how you can stay in touch & personalise your le Bulletin experience, and deepen your French connection.
🔓 Here you can UNLOCK EXCLUSIVE FRENCH STORIES:
Become an annual member and save! Enjoy exclusive, intimate glimpses into France and French lives delivered straight to your inbox.
⭐ How you can BECOME A CHERISHED MIGHTY SUPPORTER:
If you love le Bulletin, you can help us share more stories of remarkable French women and authentic French experiences. Plus, enjoy special perks!
🎁 Perhaps you’d like to SHARE THE INSPIRATION:
Gift le Bulletin to friends and family who admire the strength and spirit of French women. It's the perfect way to share your passion for France.
💡 And don’t forget… you can always EXPLORE THE ARCHIVES:
Discover even more inspiring stories in our complete newsletter archive. Perfect for satisfying your Francophile cravings at any time that suits you, wherever you live, and at any time.
Trains from Rodez arrive in the Gare d'Austerlitz, and the worst meal I've ever had in Paris, perhaps anywhere, was at one of the brasseries along the "restaurant strip" across from it. I wasn't looking for a gastronomical experience, just a halfway decent meal, and I didn't have time to really research the question. I usually have a pretty good sense of where this might be possible, though. I ordered "saucisse-lentilles" and the sausage (saucisse de Toulouse) was clearly just microwaved, not even grilled, and the lentils were not seasoned in any way, just "nature" and dumped out of a can. It's interesting that Victor Coutard was not able to come up with a good place closer to the station, but given my experience, I'm not that surprised.
Sometimes these areas are best avoided, in most cities or towns. As you say Betty there's a captive audience that needs replenishment, so the effort made is poor in general. And often the catering options inside the stations are just as bad. I am thinking of the major train station in Dublin, Houston, better off making it to the city centre.