Taking The Fifth, March 5th

Never one to gatekeep a good idea, travel tip, beauty ritual, swoon worthy item or delectable snack, I wanted to share with you two of my favorite places in Paris. I know you know this, but the city is huge! It’s laid out like a snail shell in sections that spiral out from the middle called Arrondissments. The 5th Arrondissment, also called the Latin Quarter, is home to The Sorbonne and The Panthéon. Located on the Left Bank, this area borders the Seine to the north. My two favorite places in the 5th are La Maison d’Isabelle and Messy Nessy’s Cabinet. Let me tell you why…

La Maison d’Isabelle is a fabulous boulangerie sitting proudly on the busy Boulevard Saint-Germain. This bakery rose to fame in 2018 by winning the esteemed Best Croissant of Paris award for their all-butter entry, or croissant pur beurre. Did you know 80% of all the croissants in France are made by industrial methods? But not La Maison d’Isabelle. Their rolled crescents are handmade by trained artisans and they only use organic flour and butter. So winning the prestigious award is kind of a big deal.

So much so that this shop splatters their success all over their signage on their front awning and throughout the store. And honestly… they can brag all they want because their croissant is all world. And for only 1.30 euro each, you too can taste perfection.

I took two in a crinkly paper bag and meandered my way to the river where I marveled at the glorious Notre Dame while biting into the butteriest pastry to ever touch my lips. It was immaculate. As was my stunning view. Ahhh, Paris. What is not to love??

Thank goodness I was outdoors. Shards of flaky goodness went everywhere with each satisfying bite. And the insides were so light and airy. An award winner for sure.

Just a few blocks away from the croissant cathedral is my other very favorite spot in the 5th, Messy Nessy’s Cabinet. The Cabinet is a super fun shop for books, curiosities, keepsakes, antiques, Parisian nostalgia, and humor.

Who else can get away with a big hardcover book that focuses on Museum Bums? Subtitle: A Cheeky Look At Butts In Art. Nice one by the way, David. (Yes! THAT David.) See? Nessy is funny.

I actually met Nessy while she was meticulously redecorating the front window. She is a friendly, slim, stylish gal with superb taste, a great eye, a keen mind for books, and terrific creative skills.

She made the shadowbox below that I fell madly in love with. What an imaginative way to memorialize Paris! Too big for my luggage but too unique to leave behind, Nessy shipped this keepsake right to my door. The best part? The shadowbox made it home before I did! A great welcome home present I gifted to myself.