Bouillon Racine And Jardin Des Plantes

As promised, we were back in the Latin Quarter next day, for lunch at the Bouillon Racine and a walk in the Jardin des Plantes. Bouillons began in the mid-19th century as quick, cheap, and simple eateries for working stiffs, and are regarded by some as the first chain restaurants: in the later 1800s, Paris had some 250 bouillons, many owned by the same person or group. As Art Nouveau developed, some of the bouillons morphed into fancier type restaurants. A look at historical photographs from the era suggests that the "workingmen" that frequented these later bouillons are best contrasted with non-workingmen, that is, aristocrats. So also the decor. They were people who worked, but also wore fine clothes and could afford fine food in fine surroundings. Several of the surviving few Belle Epoche bouillons are listed national monuments. Thus the Bouillon Racine on Rue Racine, originally the Grand Bouillon Camille Chartier in 1906. The place catches your eye from the street, and, thanks to a thorough restoration by the Compagnons du Tour de France in 1996, it is even better inside. The food was great, and quite reasonable, by the way, but that's not why you go there.

Bouillon Racine

My zucchini and basil gazpacho

And sole muniere over baby leeks, etc.

Her pork ribs and veggies; not pictured: her creme brulee

The ceiling above us

Heading upstairs

Bar downstairs

Downstairs dining

Incredible place

Drunk with Belle Epoche art and architecture, and fine food, 

we waddled on to our secondary target of the day, the Jardin 

des Plantes, Paris' botanical garden and zoo; also natural history 

museum and more

More history of science, botany and zoology; in

monuments

Quite a lot there

Entrance to the Menagerie, zoo and enormous greenhouses

But we just strolled the Jardin, having had enough intensity for

the day

Flora impudica (impudent flower)

Fall color in full swing