Paris Wine Bar: Avant Comptoir

Avant Comptoir is a gem of Paris. It is one extremely small place but is huge on atmosphere and deliciousness! There is a big mix of locals (Frenchies and expats) and tourists in the know (like you!) who cozy up next to the bar and each other for a glass of wine and some really great appetizers and crepes.

With standing room only it gets pretty crowded so try to go early. A lot of people stop in here before having dinner at their restaurant next door. I recommend the foie gras and making sure you get in on their communal bread basket and Bordier butter. On my last visit I discovered how great cheese and JAM are together. Who knew??

 If you are there for food make sure to look up! The menu is on the ceiling.

Location:
3 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006
Metro: Odeon
Open every day

Please excuse my exhausted looking eyes in this photo. This was the end of three weeks of visitors! I barely made it! (but always worth the lack of sleep!)

France: Wine Country

After our grand old time in Dublin we headed to Bordeaux, France. France being the number one wine producer in the world, I can say that the vineyards were truly breathtaking. I have had the pleasure of visiting wineries and vineyards in Solvang and Temecula, California which are incredible but the vineyards of Bordeaux stretch as far as your eyes can see. Just imagine looking around and seeing endless lines of vineyards surrounding you. 360 degrees.

The city of Bordeaux is like a tiny, little Paris. Its streets, building, even their Notre Dame cathedral all look just like Paris. It is a small city and my mom and I decided to go sight seeing by running! We needed to get some of the Guinness' out of our system so we put on our running shoes and ran around the entire city. Its a great way to kill two birds, one stone.

The coolest thing in the city was this "mirror" lake thing they have right in the center of the city on the river. It is a little area where they have misters coming out from the ground to spray water for the kids to run through. It collects about 1 inch of water which reflects the sky, clouds, and this beautiful building perfectly. The kids were having the time of their lives in there because it was so hot and at night the sight was so peaceful.

The second day we took the train to a little medieval town called St. Emillion. Now, this is where some of France's BEST wines are made. What a beautiful town. It is unlike anything else I have seen. The city is actually ruins that they continue to live in! I could spend a lot of time just sitting in the sun overlooking the vineyards and ruins with a glass of chilly rosé in my hand. What a life!