After having walked the sunny streets of Paris for a few hours, we suddenly found ourselves in the Russian Orthodox quarter in the heart of the eighth arrondissement. Remembering our high school years, when we were learning Russian and in the same rush we discovered the USSR and the Slavic soul of both its famous writers and its inhabitants.

On our return from an immersion in Russia and Ukraine, our Russian teacher, a charming young woman, advised us to attend the Russian Orthodox Easter Vigil in the magnificent Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Rue Daru.

Located in the heart of the Russian Quarter, many years later you would find yourself in Rue Daru, coming from Rue Pierre Le Grand.

Cross the Neva street and let yourself slide along the banks of the famous river. Reconnect with the Slavic soul as you wander through the district.

Marvel at the golden bulbs above the chatiors, topped by the eight-pointed Russian cross.

Feeling propelled a few years back in time in front of the majestic monument and having an irrepressible desire to rediscover the taste of a pastry tasted, that evening, when leaving the wake.

By the clock in the building, it is 4.30 p.m., just the right time for a snack.

At the corner of Rue Daru and Rue Pierre le Grand, you will see the renowned restaurant A la ville de Petrograd, an institution founded in 1924 by an exiled officer of the Nicholas II Guard.

Entering the house and being greeted by a chant of « Sdrasvioutié ». Feeling the first words quickly come back to mind. « Sdrasvioutié, pajalousta, spassiba…dieti minuti… ». We are now in another universe.

Imagine all the meetings that have taken place here since the 1920s.

While waiting to be served, let yourself be touched by the tasteful decoration which plunges us into the heart of Russia at the time.

On the counter, admire an old Samovar that must have heard so many stories; those of the first Russian immigrants after 1917 who found themselves here and sang, in their haunting melodies, their life before.

In another corner, be struck by the touch of bright colours provided by some matriochkas carefully placed there.

On a table on the rue Daru side, a few bags are patiently waiting for those who are going to enjoy, from this evening, the most refined Russian dishes.

Check out the menu of specialities and be carried away by the ringing names of Pirojki, salmon koulibiak and other dishes.

Let yourself be distracted for a few minutes by a breathtakingly fine matryoshka.

Contemplate it from every angle.

To finally see the longed-for vatruchka.

Decide on a vatruchka and an apple and cinnamon sharlotka.

Admire the waitress who, while chatting in a lilting Slavic accent, delicately wraps the pastries.

Back home, savour the smell and contemplate the texture. Take a bite and let the memories come flooding back as if the taste brought back with it the good times shared and that time had not erased anything of these memories. Understand then why Russians, sometimes somewhat nostalgic for their country, meet here on Rue Daru to rediscover the scents and flavours of yesteryear.

Par Nathalie -or Babushka for some-

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