McDo

After a Paris weekend filled with culture, I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather we were blessed with that weekend, and stroll along the Seine River. It was almost too pretty to be inside that day, even though, as I've posted preciously, what I was seeing inside the typically closed buildings was incredibly beautiful.

I walked across the Alexander Bridge,

passed by the Petit Palais,

and then hopped on the metro to go and see the new phenomenal Apple store

in the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground section of the Louvre with shops and a food court.

Having worked up a thirst from all the walking, I headed to the dining area of the Carrousel, where I found the recently opened McCafé,

or "McDo" as the French call it. I remembered there had been quite an uproar over the insertion of McDo into the underground area attached to the Louvre, but 

I was unprepared to see the view afforded those dining in style. While enjoying your Big Mac, you have the view of the remains of the original fortress built by Philip II in the 12th century, the earliest foundations of what is known today as the Louvre.

Interestingly enough, this cafe marks the 30th anniversary of the first McDonald's in France. With restaurants numbering almost 1150, the French market is the biggest market outside of the US.

I found some of their new technology to be fascinating. You can step up to this kiosk, place your order on the screen, pay with a credit card, and then,

Voilà, you pick up your order at the EasyOrder counter. How cool is that?

And what's a French McDonald's without fancy pastries,

and an assortment of those ubiquitous French macarons,

offered for your take-out pleasure?

You may think it's sacrilege to stop at a McCafé while in the gourmet capital of the world, but when you want a cold, icy Coke and a bathroom in a pinch, McDo's is my kind of place!

As they say in France...C'est tout ce que j'aime--

I'm lovin' it!