Viténature

When we first came here in July 2010, we were pleased to see that there was a boulangerie/ eatery named Viténature across the street from our apartment.  How convenient!  Through the years we have gotten familiar with other local residents during our breakfast and lunch stops.  Some we just nod and say Bonjour to on the street; others, notably Bernadette and her daughter, Delphine, we have gotten to know better.  But, most important of all we have gotten to know Philippe and Angeline, the owners and folks who put in looong hours to make Viténature go.  In fact we have become good enough friends with Philippe and Angeline to exchange jokes, discuss news and politics, chat about our families, help each other with language, and even exchange small gifts.  We have taken Estelle, our French daughter, and all our American guests over to enjoy delicious pastry and, of course, repartee.   In fact when Leahanna and Gillian were here, Gillian took pictures of our pastries and later pronounced the Pain au Chocolat even better than pastry in Italy.

Viténature had become so much a part of our life in France that we have even written an earlier blog posting about it.   So, you will understand why we have mixed emotions when we tell you Philippe and Angeline have sold Viténature.  The long hours (with two little boys) and heavy workload of owning and running the place has taken its toll.  We are very sorry to see them go, but also very excited about what the future will bring for them.  The very good news is that they will be embarking on new adventures soon (after August, of course).  Right now Philippe is looking into florist shops and Angeline thinks she will likely work in a pharmacy.   Whatever they decide on will have much more normal, family-friendly hours!  They are even considering moving out of the city.

Philippe and Angeline invited Bernadette, Delphine and us to a small party last Friday to celebrate the end of Viténature and the beginning of their new adventures.  Naturally, the bubbly flowed and there was an abundance of finger food along with the recounting of fun and funny stories.  We gave them a few gifts:  a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for later and, since its summer and they now have time on their hands, a frisbee, two jars of bubble stuff, and two squirt guns.  (Philippe tried his squirt gun out on Angelline to make sure it worked…it did.)

L-R:  Angeline, Bernadette, Delphine, Anna, David, Philippe

We can hardly wait to find out what these two very capable, hard-working people decide to do.  Estelle, Leahanna, Gillian, David, Bob, and Kerry we’ll keep you posted.