By now I am used to functioning in two languages. I understand most of what I see in print in Italian, with the exception of the newspaper as it is written in run-on sentences with obscure terminology and archaic verb tenses. When someone speaks directly to me, I understand most of what they are saying if I get the context to start. When I need to communicate me la cavo (I get along) even if my grammar is not perfect.
When we embarked on our trip to Paris I was hit by the realization that I would not understand much of anything from menus to street signs, and I certainly would not understand spoken French. Going to France was the most foreign thing we had done since we first traveled to Italy in 2010.
We found ourselves speaking in an odd combination of Italian and English. I am used to speaking Italian to our servers, technicians and shop people in Italy, so that’s the first language that sprang from my lips, combined with mangled French pronunciation. “Prendo il boeuf bourguignon, per favore.” I could not get past grazie to merci until mid-week. In one restaurant, we mixed up languages sufficiently to have the waitress convinced we were Italians who spoke little English. When we said “Merci bonsoir” at the end of the evening, she cheerily replied “Grazie, anche a te!”
There was little hope for me in pronouncing French street names. My Italian-addled brain insists that “Place” must be pronounced PLAH-chay. Once in awhile we’d hear Italian being spoken by other visitors and it was a joy to hear and understand.
Shopping in a French market reminded me of our first trip to Italy when we tried to figure out what things were. Like in Italy, lots of offal was available, from tripe to lambs heads (sorry vegetarians). The Super U was rather ordinary, but some of the shops are magnificent. We found ourselves taking a lot of pictures of store windows and displays.
Here are some Easter treats. Each store had a theme: fish, chickens, cows, even a little mole poking his head above the ground. All gorgeous and expensive. Click on any picture for a slide show.
Chocolate eggs
Chocolate fish was the Easter theme in one shop.
Chocolate chickens
More traditional chocolates
A mole right out of “Wind in the Willows”
I wonder if they are milk chocolate?
And more….
Another chocolate fish
No Peeps in sight, just elegant chicks.
Fashion windows are creative and the bakeries difficult to resist. The bejeweled athletic-style shoes are Dior. I love the ducks sporting sunglasses and the colorful men’s accessories. Ric showed no interest in blue shoes.
Ducks sporting glasses in Clichy.
Men’s shoes
Match your socks to your shoelaces.
French breads are wonderful!.
Macarons! I resisted.
Dior, of course. No price so maybe not for sale?
Avocados, artichokes and cabbages are arranged attractively. I wish I had taken a picture of the huge strawberries artfully displayed. In the Place du Madeleine area, boutiques with high-end chocolates, teas, cheeses, and wines seemed like museums.
Artful avocados
Organized produce
Tea shop
Delectable sweets – the French excel at pastries.
Street market, Rue Levis
Fancy shop at Place du Madeleine
We also found time to see the major sites as we wandered the city. At the end of seven days of tromping about Paris my pedometer reported 162,222 steps. We covered some ground, but there’s so much left on the list that we must go back…but later in the spring so we can enjoy the gardens and maybe take our coats off.
L’Orangerie, Ile St. Louis, site of our 30th anniversary dinner.
Cafès Richard, of course!
The famous department store, Galeries Lafayette with its dome. There is a fabulous view from the rooftop terrace.
On the top floor of the Musée D’Orsay.
A peek at the main floor of the D’Orsay.
An artist in Montmarte.
Beneath the Louvre one can now visit the medieval fortress that one dominated the scene.
Our guide, Emmanuelle, explains the Assyrian collection.
French schoolchildren sketching at Musèe D’Orsay.
Guess where we are celebrating our 30th anniversary?
No words required.
Girovaga 
Hi did you find the Parisians more receptive and cooperative with your Italian than if you had used the American English solely?
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Interesting question! I was not of the opinion anyone minded our American-ness. We do try to observe European manners, though, and that speaks louder than language.
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Oh my heavens – those Easter treats are absolutely amazing and yes, I’m sure VERY expensive! Thanks for sharing. And kudos for knowing Italian like you do. That truly is a wonderful skill to have.
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Hi Marcia! Prices were ridiculous, even with the better exchange rate! I really acquired some insight into my skills. Not completely fluent, but clearly making progress!
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love, love your blog, Laurel! Thanks for keeping it going. Pics and stories are great and 162K steps. . wow!
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Ciao Deb, and thanks! Hope the post wasn’t too long. So much to say…, See you in August, I hope!
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Wonderful photos. My husband also shows no interest in European shoes and finds them ridiculous. Must be a marine thing. The end of April is a nice time to visit Paris as it is generally colorful. We return in a couple of weeks, which assures me of two springs in my life, never a bad thing.
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Have a wonderful trip, Chloe!
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