Once the end-of-the-year holidays have passed, January offers a few special days worthy of indulgent festivities. Officially the end of the Christmas season, Epiphany or Twelfth Night on January 6th is celebrated with a Galette du Roi, or King Cake. Traditionally made of flake pastry and frangipane, variations abound in Parisian patisseries, with famous chefs vying to create the most unusual forms and fillings, while staying true to the original spirit. This, from Ladurée, laced with swirls of pistachio cream and chopped pistachios, was one of the most unique I noticed. The galettes are omnipresent throughout January so one has plenty of opportunity to sample others!
A fêve, a small charm or figurine of metal or porcelain, less than an inch in size, is hidden in each cake. Whoever receives it in their slice is crowned “king” or “queen” with a paper crown for the day. Every galette sold in every shop comes with the fêve baked inside and a paper crown for the lucky finder. In the Laduée galette, the charms this year were miniature china macarons. Fêves are often collected over the course of many years and when presented together make a charming New Year display.
And, although it fall a few days after Twelfth Night, and thus at the very last gasp of the winter festive season, my birthday is yet another excuse to seek out the best in Parisian pastries. This year I stopped by Angelina, a short walk from the apartment, and came home with seasonal delights – an éclair pampelmousse (grapefruit creme) and a petite tarte tatin (carmelized apple tart) – to share with a friend.
It may or may not be an advantage to live so near to such temptation but it does facilitate effortless celebrations. And living in Paris, one finds an abundance of reasons to celebrate any day of the week.
À bientôt!
Love,
G
Happy happy birthday to you! 💕
Thank you so much, Anne!
Much appreciated!
G
Happy Birthday, Georgianna! Your posts and pix are my absolute favorites of Paris, and I can relive my stay there when you speak of the sights, the light, the sounds, etc., and the wonderful patisseries! You are living my dream as well as your own, and I am so grateful to have found you there! Your apartment is a dream come true – thank you for sharing all this with the world!
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I’m so glad you enjoy my images and posts from beautiful Paris. I really appreciate your joy at what I share!
xx
Patisserie + pistachios + Porcelain Miniature macarons? That’s pure joy!!!! Happy birthday 🎈🌹
Such a wonderful combination, isn’t it? Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! 💕 G
Amazing photographs, dear Georgianna. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Georgianna,
Happy Belated Birthday. I just discovered your site and so grateful for that.
Your mission, passion for flowers and Paris have inspired and uplifted me so much.
Looking forward to more journal entries.
With Love,
Sarah
Hello, Sarah, and thank you so much for your kind message. I’m very pleased and touched that my work inspires and uplifts you. That means the world to me.
I’ve been on some deadlines but do have much more to share on the journal very soon. All my best,
Georgianna xxx