Peruvian Paris

For those of us who have lived here long enough, there comes a point when you stop (or at least slow) looking for French things to do and seek out other sides of Paris, including non-French culture. Just to take one example, it can take you the better part of a day to get from Paris to Peru’s capital city, Lima, but you can jump on the Metro and get a taste of Peru right here in the French capital.

How can you get yor Peruvian fix here in Paris? It may surprise you to know that there are plenty of options.

Cordon Bleu

To plug yourself into the Peruvian community here, the starting place is the Centre Culturel Péruvien de Paris, CECUPE. This association hosts several events throughout the year, including Peña-Cenas, traditional Peruvian dinner celebrations, on important dates such as the national holiday. Many of their events are held at the beautiful and prestigious Maison de l’Amérique Latine on Boulevard Saint-Germain in the 7^th.

Coming up on November 27, the CECUPE will join up with president André Cointreau of the Cordon Bleu for an evening delving into the story of the Quinoa, a pseudocereal that the Incas held as sacred. Peruvians have been eating this pseudocereal for more than 7,000 years. At this free presentation by the Cordon Bleu, you will be able to eat what they prepare. It should be noted that the president of the Cordon Bleu is an expert of quinoa, having written a book on the subject. Call 01 53 68 22 50 to reserve a seat. The presentation starts at 7 p.m.

Pérou Pacha

Today kicks off the 4^th annual Pérou Pacha, the Peruvian Film Festival in Paris. From now until November 20, around 30 films (shorts, feature-length, documentaries, and fiction) will show at the Cinéma des Cinéastes (located in the 17^th near Place de Clichy). Films directed by the indigenous people of Latin America are being showcased this year. It’s not limited strictly to Peruvian films, but also includes films from other Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Guatemala and Bolivia. Click here for film program information and how to buy tickets. Tickets are € 7.50 each (UGC Illimité cards are accepted).

Click here to watch the promotional video for the film festival:

Qosqo

Named after the ancient Inca city of Cusco (or Qosqo), this is a small store here in Paris that sells Peruvian handicrafts. You can find this quaint store at 20 rue Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in the 5^th near Maubert-Mutualité.

Picaflor

Picaflor is where you can go for all of your Peruvian gastronomic cravings. And luckily it doesn’t matter if you’re on the right or left bank - in the 2^nd, Picaflor has a restaurant (rapide) and a small épicerie (where you can buy chicha morada by the liter) and in the 5^th, Picaflor has a pleasant, warm restaurant that serves ceviche. For more information on their locations and offerings, click here. To read a review of their resto in the 5^th, click here.