Most of you already know our passion for Great Neighbours. This experiential place, this mini-zad, this little corner of paradise, this alternative accommodation centre, this urban project in perpetual movement, construction, mutation, finally give it the name you want, all will suit it.

But do you know the merchant of happiness who has been living for a few years at 6 de la Cour Robin? Merchant of happiness or merchant of good smells?

When you pass the porch at 71 Denfert-Rochereau Avenue, you immediately enter Robin Court. On your right, today, there is an atmosphere of a « guinguette » that smells good in late spring and early summer.

A few garlands of light are hung on a temporary wooden construction. Brightly coloured fabrics are stretched across and the Virginia creeper runs on the vine arbour, giving an enchanting air to this corner of the courtyard.

Let yourself be guided to this little lost corner for a drink, forget the noise of the street and the hectic life outside. Here everything invites you to relax. Even the old walls that have seen so many little Parisians born over the centuries seem to take a resting break.

Sur la gauche, on vous invite au Banya, ces fameux bains chauds, pour une détente plus complète.

Just before the banyas is a pergola in the shape of planet earth, on which wild plants start to run.

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Here nature takes its ease, in the heart of Paris and invites you to take yours. It grows and God it’s good!

Step forward, come a little closer, you’re here as a neighbour. There’s a sign to say hello. There are designer shops and well hidden workshops to the right and left.

The numbers in the shops compete with the flowers, which are gaining a little more ground every day.

Before crossing the second porch that will lead you to the Lingerie, take the time to get to know the happiness merchant.

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Oats are waiting patiently in a bin on the left side of the porch as we approach the goal. They’re nickin’ at the lavender-blue lacework. Who would imagine that lucky Parisians have a merchant of happiness, hidden behind a hedge of flowers, in the heart of the XIVth district. Admire these young lacemakers, who adorn themselves every day to offer you a beautiful front. They rush up to the sky and let the merchant’s shop window catch a glimpse of good smells. With their arrogant youth, they defy the peaceful old stones of the old St Vincent de Paul hospital.

So now follow me in confidence. Let yourself be swept away by the adventure of a night.

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Let us take you in because here we can’t wait to see you again…to play ping-pong on an overturned car, to quench your thirst at the refreshment bar, to have a bite to eat at Ghada’s, to cook good food and to go on a marauding trip, and much more…

Take a discreet look at the left side; an old window, an abandoned umbrella in a corner, a Virginia creeper …

Suddenly the window opens. Let yourself be overwhelmed by the good smells of the merchant of happiness: buckwheat biscuits, pizza tomato basil, bread, sourdough…Emotions suddenly overwhelm you with happiness and take you away to the land of memories.

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Little by little, a part of the Robin Court is conquered by good smells. It smells like dough, rising, puffing bread, soft crumbs, and a crunchy crust. It smells natural, breadsticks, crispy biscuits, soft big praline kisses, aniseed cuccioles, old wheat, cereals from another time. The loaves of bread are like hills, and one would think one could glimpse the hills of Tuscany by looking at them.

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It must be said that the one you now see behind the half-open window has travelled many miles to find the lovers of earth and seeds, who produce the flours he uses. He too is in love with seeds and his love is contagious. Who among his customers hasn’t seen him one evening, with sparkling eyes, burning for lentils or rye seeds?

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Here he is now busy in his bakery to give you a few moments of pure happiness.

The baking is almost finished and it smells good on pizza and hot bread. The queue of customers is now lengthening like a snake in Robin’s Court and the exchanges are going well. Typing the conversation is also part of the possibilities, before or after the crowd, because the merchant of happiness also has his moods and his pains. He is also a great thinker who is not reluctant to remake the world with those who dream of change.

He has plenty of time to think while the dough is working, rising…here the fermentation is long and the leaven takes its time. The cheerful merchant shapes the dough with his hands, kneads it, caresses it, turns it over, flattens it or balls it. Nothing is left to chance and the recipes are all pinned on the screen.

Warm breads are waiting for the customer on the shelves, now letting their delicious smell float throughout the store.

Here the bread takes you to heaven for sure, the ingredients are organic and the breads are organic too… of course!

Our happiness merchant puts his customers in a good mood. His name is Thistle.

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Here after the day, life goes on and takes you to another world full of a thousand colours and like the little mouse painted on the wall, after having tasted the good cereals, you let yourself be carried away to the land of happiness and good bread!

Par Nathalie

Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)