Nowadays, the advent of the information superhighway has made communication as simple as a click of a button. We are surrounded with a plethora of amenities that make our daily lives easier. These are good things. With our fast paced lives, however, we have seemed to have replaced quality with convenience.

The French are no exception to this rule. Traditionally speaking, the French have always shopped for their food on a daily basis, choosing fresh ingredients for their meals from specialty shops and kiosks. Dining is meant to be a sensual experience which means the preparation of a meal is done with only the highest quality products that are fresh as possible, s'il vous plaît.

Unfortunately, some of this tradition has been lost with the never ending supply of supermarchés (grocery stores) which have sprung up in the last few decades replacing the once ubiquitous specialty shops. Why go to a cheese shop, when you can find cheese at the grocery store? The problem with convenience is twofold: not only do grocery stores lack the quantity of items found in specialty shops, the items found are sold for the masses and may not have the same quality as specialty shop.

Thankfully, Rue Mouffetard is an answer to our escape from convenience. Located in the fifth arrondissement near the Pantheon, this street reminds us how it must have felt to shop in centuries past. The small cobblestone road may not be great for high heels, but its charm is unmistakable. Mouffetard (moof-tar) is aligned with specialty fromagers selling delectable cheeses from around France, wine shops, butchers, crepe makers, retaurants and a slew of fruit and vegetable kiosks fill out this historical street.

Walk leisurely and fill your own large canvas bag with savory items from each store you visit. Pick up a bottle of wine from the wine seller, cheese from the cheese seller, freshly cut salami to your specifications from the butcher, a baguette from the baker and the required dessert. Take your newly purchased goodies along with a blanket and enjoy a picnic at nearby Jardin du Luxembourg (a 10 minute walk from Mouffetard).

Leave the rushing behind at home and savor the pleasures of simplicity. Instead of filling your day with running from one touristy spot to the next, spend some time to experience life at an unhurried pace. Go ahead and touch the fruit, smell the flowers, see the flow of others enjoying their excursion, listen to the sounds coming from the classical guitarist and taste the various food products that capture your attention. Your senses and your soul long for the gentle experience of Rue Mouffetard.

In the evening on weekends, this street changes its face a bit. Its many small bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets (rues Princesse and Guisarde) take possession of the district, thereby giving an atmosphere and a special animation. The Parisians gave it the nickname of "Rue de la soif" (street of thirst). In fact, many then forgot its real name Rue Mouffetard. Here, the audience is eclectic with still as many tourists. So, it can be quite noisy, especially during sporting events on TV, but the atmosphere is friendly and festive. Whether by day or night, it's finally up to you to choose the Paris that suits you best.