No Seattle visit is complete without a trip to Pike Place Market; "the Market," as locals refer to it.
To Europeans, the Market neighborhood feels familiar, yet remains uniquely American.
Born in August 1907 and aiming to connect farmers directly to consumers, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continually operated public farmer's markets in the United States. Complete with over 200 year-round businesses, craftspeople and street performers, the Market welcomes over 10 million visitors a year. Only the Space Needle can compete as a major local landmark!
It seemed natural for the Frenchies to return this week, between two downpours. Four years had gone by since their last visit, yet nothing much had changed...
Downtown Seattle is still a hodgepodge of architectural styles... "To each his own" seems to be the city's motto as far as city planning is concerned...
The original Starbucks store is still there, a tourist attraction in its own right. French Dad was even talked into walking around while holding his coffee in a paper cup! Revolution!
Rachel the Pig still welcomes visitors to the Market...
Under the Market, miles of corridors, known as "DownUnder," offer a quirky and often fascinating collection of antiques, collectibles, and strange finds...
The Gum Wall was a surprise to the Frenchies... "Beurk!" (Yuck!) commented French Mom, a street art fan...
After our morning stroll, we enjoyed a tasty and affordable lunch at the Athenian Inn, a Market institution. The unbeatable Puget Sound views rival the terraces of the most exclusive local restaurants... Unfortunately, Tom Hanks (who once visited the Athenian Inn in an iconic Sleepless in Seattle scene,) was nowhere to be found...
One can't visit the Market without perusing the wares and investing in fresh local produce. The Frenchies lucked out: It is tulip season, and the market stalls overflowed with colorful flowers from the neighboring Skagit Valley. This is as close to Holland (a.k.a. tulip country) as Seattleites will ever get!
When it was time to leave, the Frenchies and their Americanized daughter and grandson enjoyed glorious Puget Sound views one last time from the iconic Victor Steinbrueck park...
We returned to our side of the bridge, but all that sightseeing had made us very thirsty. We dropped off Junior and headed to a favorite local winery (and outdoor summer concert venue,) le Château Ste Michelle, where some of us indulged in a wine-tasting session before heading home...
A bientôt...
It seemed natural for the Frenchies to return this week, between two downpours. Four years had gone by since their last visit, yet nothing much had changed...
Downtown Seattle is still a hodgepodge of architectural styles... "To each his own" seems to be the city's motto as far as city planning is concerned...
 |
| Looking up Pike street from the Market |
The original Starbucks store is still there, a tourist attraction in its own right. French Dad was even talked into walking around while holding his coffee in a paper cup! Revolution!
 |
| Bizarre... but when in Seattle, do as the Seattleites do... |
Rachel the Pig still welcomes visitors to the Market...
Under the Market, miles of corridors, known as "DownUnder," offer a quirky and often fascinating collection of antiques, collectibles, and strange finds...
 |
| In the "belly" of the Market... |
The Gum Wall was a surprise to the Frenchies... "Beurk!" (Yuck!) commented French Mom, a street art fan...
 |
| Sometimes, one is just very grateful for the Lumix LX5's awesome zoom! |
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| Oooppsss! |
After our morning stroll, we enjoyed a tasty and affordable lunch at the Athenian Inn, a Market institution. The unbeatable Puget Sound views rival the terraces of the most exclusive local restaurants... Unfortunately, Tom Hanks (who once visited the Athenian Inn in an iconic Sleepless in Seattle scene,) was nowhere to be found...
 |
| A window with a [Seattle] view: Puget Sound. WA state ferry. Ferris wheel. |
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| Sleepless in Seattle, 1993 (yikes!) Tom Hanks (Sam Baldwin) and Rob Reiner (his friend) head down to the Market for lunch |
One can't visit the Market without perusing the wares and investing in fresh local produce. The Frenchies lucked out: It is tulip season, and the market stalls overflowed with colorful flowers from the neighboring Skagit Valley. This is as close to Holland (a.k.a. tulip country) as Seattleites will ever get!
 |
| Seattle is a city where fish actually flies! |
When it was time to leave, the Frenchies and their Americanized daughter and grandson enjoyed glorious Puget Sound views one last time from the iconic Victor Steinbrueck park...
 |
| Local teenager doing what teenagers do best: texting... |
We returned to our side of the bridge, but all that sightseeing had made us very thirsty. We dropped off Junior and headed to a favorite local winery (and outdoor summer concert venue,) le Château Ste Michelle, where some of us indulged in a wine-tasting session before heading home...
 |
| "Santé!" |
A bientôt...
All photos by French Girl in Seattle
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I just got back from a week in Seattle and your pictures make me want to head back tonight! We go often since our son lives there and we always spend one night at the Inn at the Market and go to Lowell's for breakfast and then shop at the market for dinners for a couple of evenings. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Cheryl. I know the Inn at the Market. It is a lovely place, and an excellent location to enjoy downtown Seattle.
DeleteWalking with coffee, what has this world come to?! :)
ReplyDeletePike Place was one of my favorite places in Seattle, I can't wait to see it again someday. Maybe a trip out to the tulip fields as well? Would have to time it just right!
I am telling you, Liene... They ALL walk with coffee around here! :-)
DeleteA trip to the tulip fields is a really fun thing to do in the area. Let me know if you ever make it to our neck of the woods...
You're so cute:) You look like Maman:)et papa:) That is you n'est-ce pas?:)
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning that it rained often in Seattle..we are watching a Netflix series shot in Oregon..and it is always raining..
Must admit ..the rain makes glorious gardens:)
I bought tulips today..so pretty..love fresh flowers..and I still must wait..for my garden ones..
What did we do before texting..my little ones are 7 and under..but I can see the day coming~..
Lovely sights..
I must admit the bubble gum wall is (yucky to me too..)
I have a vintage sterling box from a great aunt.."I'll Stick To You By Gum.."
I have always assumed..it was for old gum..or from a lover..offering words of fidelity:)
Bonsoir Nana. Oui, c'est moi. :-)
DeleteYes, it does rain in Seattle. A lot. Locals (the ones who are not fed up with the weather this time of year,) refer to it as "liquid sunshine!" -- Ha!
I would love to see a photo of that vintage box from your great aunt. I must admit "I'll stick to you like gum," might not sound that romantic to me after staring at Seattle's Gum Wall... One good thing about it: It is a very nice-smelling wall :-)
That's a place I definitely want to visit!
ReplyDeleteCome on over, Heather. The big tourist season has not started yet (not a single Alaska-bound cruise ship in sight in the harbor...)
DeleteDearest Véronique,
ReplyDeleteSad moments when such a visit, after a wait of four years, does end... With your Maman, I would have said 'Beurk!' too at the sight of all that gum stuck to the wall. To me, chewing gum is one of the most negative things of Americans. Mostly done with open mouth and while talking to customers etc. I prefer Singapore where you can't even be in possession of chewing gum but they showcase the cleanest city streets!
Junior and his Grandpère did show an identical smile... Looking at those photos; I know the emotions!
Hugs to all of you,
Mariette
Thank you Mariette.
DeleteIt will be sad to see my parents go in a few days, but we will be reunited again in Paris this summer.
I can't believe chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore. That does sound a bit extreme, even if it guarantees clean streets!
My mistake:-)
ReplyDeleteThe series is in Seattle!
I know EXACTLY what series you are talking about. Is it the one with the sickly-looking cop woman? My husband used to watch it and I could not stand it. Too depressing...
DeleteOh so much fun! I loved living in Seattle....Cheers!
ReplyDeleteConnie*
Bonjour Connie. You loved living in Seattle, but I bet you are pretty glad you moved down to San Diego :-)
DeleteSo great to see you on your adventure. Thanks for stopping by "The Chateau" for the best tour I've been on! You make everything fun, Veronique! Lovely to meet your charming parents too!
ReplyDeleteMerci Daria. What a treat to meet you there and introduce a former student to my parents. They think I know EVERYONE around here now :-) It was a fun tour (except for the poor tour guide,) and I was glad to see I was not too rusty at interpreting. I will be in touch!
DeleteWhat a lovely city. Fond memories of the Market. Hope to renew them this summer and make some new memories with some "new" friends.
ReplyDeleteRemind me to give the "gum wall" a big miss. Like your parents, I cannot bring myself to walk and sip at the same time. It's just not in my blood.
Gros bisous, M-T
Well, come on over then, but wait until August or I might be out of town... Have you made plans yet?
DeleteThat's a lovely tour for us Veronique and brings back memories of many visits to Seattle over the past 20 years. The market is super, I always enjoyed that. Nice to see your parents and son enjoying family time together and always good to see your smiling face!
ReplyDeleteThank you Craig. The Market is always a fun outing, isn't it? Such a lively, colorful place in Seattle... AND we did get some sun breaks! :-)
DeleteI can't visit Seattle without a trip through Pike Place Market. Beechers cheese, truffle oils, crumpets, wine tasting, and plenty of photos later I continue shopping.
ReplyDeleteBeechers cheese-- Delicious! :-) I can tell you are a true connaisseur of the Market neighborhood!
DeleteLe gum wall, effectivement, c'est un peu ...beurk!Ta maman a l'air d'une sacrée rigolote :o)
ReplyDeleteJ'adore quand tu montres la photo d'un endroit "en vrai" et la même dans un film..Elle est loin la maison de Tom Hanks sur l'eau? et la plage de Twilight?...
Moi en tous cas, je trouve Seattle bien sympa et attirante!
Bon week-end et bises!
Bonjour Marie. La maison de Tom Hanks est dans un autre quartier de Seattle, sur le Lake Union. Quant à la plage de Twilight, elle est située beaucoup plus loin dans la région, sur la Péninsule Olympique (je crois...) Enfin, si tu viens un jour, je te montrerai tout ça :-)
DeleteSi je comprends bien, tu ne penses pas que ce serait une bonne idée de créer un Mur de Chewing Gum dans un quartier de Nice?! :-)
Lovely market, but the "gum wall", yek, how discusting, it came all direct from the mouth on the wall? Had to laugh seeing your parents brave with the Starbucks coffee. That is not the way Europeans like to drink their coffee in a plastic mug. The view over the water looks great.
ReplyDeleteYes, the gum comes directly from the visitor's mouth to the wall where it is applied with a lot of care. :-)
DeleteMy dad did look a bit uncomfortable holding his paper cup, but it was more related to the flowers than to coffee. He is not a big flower guy :-)
What a European style day out you had. Love that you persuaded your Dad to walk about with his coffee. It's only polite to follow the local customs ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! :-)
DeleteGosh you look so much like your Mum Veronique, your parents look like lots of fun joining in with your more Americanized customs :) I've enjoyed part one and two of your trip to the market, I smiled at the 'down under' reference, bet there's some great stuff to be found down there! In some of your shots Seattle looks very much like Perth, with the mix of old and new buildings blending together. btw. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched Sleepless in Seattle..so good :)
ReplyDeleteBonjour Grace. Thank you for stopping by. Of course, you would know all about living "DownUnder..." :-)
DeleteLike you, I love that iconic 90s movie. Might have to watch it again next week when my parents leave. Bon weekend!
OH I loved reading this, I love the Market place also . MY daughter lives in POrtland oregon which is 4 hrs south of the market, they have taken me there a couple of times and i love it.
ReplyDeleteyour pictures all look so familiar to me
so glad your parents joined in with paper cups for the coffee LOL
Janice
Bonjour Janice. I love visiting Portland. Great downtown, and people are super friendly! Their summer market is not half bad either :-)
DeleteLove the seafood and I am with Mrs Frenchy 100% on the gum wall uuuuuggghhh! so disgusting..thank-you for the lovely tour Veronique and introducing us to The Frenchies.
ReplyDeleteCarla x
Ugggghhh indeed, but attractive, in a colorful, scented kind of way :-) Come back soon, Carla!
DeleteWandering around markets is something I enjoy and French markets are very special. However, the flowers and local produce in Pike Place Market look very attractive and fresh. 'Sleepless in Seattle' is a favourite of mine but 1993 - that's amazing ....time (like the fish) flies!!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Yes, miss b, time flies... I remember the first time I watched the movie. It feels like yesterday... but clearly, it wasn't! :-)
DeleteWe have spent several wonderful weekends in Seattle, stayed at a hotel very near the market. Had a great meal at Cafe Campagne which I seem to recall is very near where the picture with Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner was shot and also at Place Pigalle Bistro which I think is right in the market. I am very happy we missed the wall of gum. Your pictures are as close as I want to get. Yes, yuck!!
ReplyDeleteBonjour Michel. Café Campagne is still there, and they serve the best "oeufs meurette" this side of the Mississippi river! :-) You are correct: It is across the street from the Market. I've been to Pigalle as well, but Café Campagne remains a favorite in that neighborhood.
DeleteRe: the Gum Wall. Aren't you glad I had such a brilliant zoom on my camera?! :-)
I love Café Campagne and Place Pigalle. I refuse to EVER visit that gum wall, it sounds so foul! Fun to see you and your fam. I want to organize a NW bloggers gathering. I hope to meet you soon.
ReplyDeleteWell I certainly hope you will be able to organize that NW bloggers gathering! Let me know if i can help... And welcome back to the Pacific Northwest. Hope you don't miss Southern France too much. :-)
DeleteWhat an adorable lovely post! I agree with your parents re the gum wall. Ugh! Love all the colorful produce, flowers, sea, wine...great time. So wonderful to have your parents...
ReplyDeleteBonjour Suzanne. Yes, it was wonderful to have my parents here for a few days. The weather was a bit of a let down (especially since the sun came out the DAY after they left,) but oh well, that is Seattle for you...
DeleteWe visited Seattle quite a few years ago and I fell in love. Pike's Market was a grand place to spend a few hours and the tour of the downtown by horse and carriage was a favourite. Another best was the 4th of July fireworks on the beach. How I long to return.
ReplyDelete