One of the people I’ve had the pleasure of growing closer to over the last year is someone who reminds me a lot of myself. Naturally curious about language and travel, Meg Gagnard‘s exposure to France and the French language began during middle school in Colorado, the same time my fascination for the two was blossoming. She spent part of her high school career studying in France before pursuing her bachelor’s in Global Communication at The American University of Paris, where I completed my Master’s. Somewhere between traveling the world and exploring France’s many gifts, she fell hard for a Frenchman (sound familiar?) and started documenting her adventures – here and beyond – on her whimsical blog De Quelle Planète Es-Tu? (What planet are you from?). Bienvenue, Meg!
Describe what you love about France in three words.
Eye Candy and Lights
Favorite place in France to relax and recharge?
Honfleur, in Normandy. As I was thrown into the beauty of Normandy at 16 for a year abroad, it will always have a soft spot in my heart. One of my first weeks in Normandy, my host family took me to Honfleur and I found it to be one of the most precious towns I had ever seen. Recently I went to Ile Tudy on the Western coast of France which was just breathtaking. I plan [hope to] on spending a lot more vacation time there for pure relaxation by the seaside.
Biggest misconception about the French?
The beret and the nasal laughing (you know, the “honhonhon”). I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who lives here wearing one. Unless they are a tourist who bought one at one of those shops with the Eiffel Tower snow-globes and chunky magnets. Those berets are cute and great souvenirs, but I’m still trying to figure out why they are a part of the clichéd French identity. However I will admit that when I came to France when I was in middle school I TOTALLY bought one in orange and thought I was so French. Then I moved to Paris and realized no one ever wears them. Even some Frenchies will tell you that.
Best spot for savory and sweet?
I get my savory fix at Chettinadu at least 3-4 times a month. I went to this restaurant one of my first weeks after moving to Paris in 2008, and I still can’t get enough! It is a restaurant that serves southern Indian food with a Sri Lankan twist, although according to the server there it is the “real deal”. This is also where you can find the best samosa!
And for sweet: for those that know me, I find cupcakes to be not only photogenic perfection but delicious – I am completely addicted. However, for a truly French treat I’m going to have to go with the Tarte au Citron (lemon tart). Most boulangeries have them- I frequented Dominique Saibron in the 14th arrondissement when I lived around there and must say that it was the most delicious tarte au citron I have found thus far. Le Loir Dans Le Theiere also has a mean tarte au citron with an intensely artistic, rich meringue layer that has to be seen to be believed.
Most amusing interaction with the French?
Over the past 5 years I have had oh so many amusing interactions with the French that I don’t think I could cite just one. From the stressed and unhurried boulangers, to the lack of humor of the RATP staff getting back from a week and a half off for strikes, to the countless nights discovering hole in the wall places across this city with strangers attempting drunkenly slurred english… But I’m going to have to go with falling for a Frenchman because it makes every day an amusing interaction- idioms and culture-clashing love included.
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Meg’s work is always entertaining and will likely introduce you to an address or two in Paris you aren’t like to stumble upon. Stay on top of her eating, antiquing and globetrotting on De Quelle Planète Es-Tu? and on Twitter.
{All photos courtesy of Meg Gagnard}
