(1-5) After admiring Notre Dame cathedral and crossing the Lover’s Lock Bridge, we strolled along the famous Left Bank, to wander the narrow, twisting streets, some of which date from medieval times. This area is also known for trade in second hand books, many of which are sold in the green metal stalls along the riverbank. Next, we found our way to one of my favorite destinations, the Shakespeare & Co. English-speaking bookstore. Since medieval times, the Left Bank has been home to scholars, philosophers and poets. The bookstore that exists today is a reincarnation of the original from the 1920’s but has all the history and charm necessary to attracted large numbers of tourists. Sylvia Beach opened this store to support free thinkers and writers in Paris, many of the Americans and one of the most famous was Ernest Hemmingway. Shakespeare & Co. and home to many of the so-called “lost generation” who went to Paris to find themselves in the aftermath of WWI.
(6-10) At this point, we had to abandon the walking tour in order to get back to the apartment, eat, change clothes and make our date to see the burlesque show at the Moulin Rouge, known for its modern can-can dance revue. Located right at the foot of Montmarte hill, within walking distance of where we were staying, in the famous red light district known as Pigalle, this cabaret has been in operation since 1889. A social hot spot during the Belle Époque, which was an extravagant period of industrial progress cultural excess, this area of Paris was frequented by some of the most famous actors (Aristide Bruant) and artists (Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec) of Paris. Walking in the haunts of these greats made me forget how tired I was. We decided to walk home, and even though it was nearly midnight, we stopped for a drink at Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat) an establishment every bit as famous the Moulin Rouge.
(11) Before crashing into bed to rest up for my second day in Paris, I laid out the souvenirs I had from the day for a photo. What a day! Metro rides to the Grand Palais for exhibits of Vigée Le Brun and Picasso Mania, lunch on the Champs-Élysées Blvd. and a walk to Notre Dame and medieval Paris, including a stop at the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, and then a show at the Moulin Rouge and a drink at Le Chat Noir. I was in Paris for sure!
(6-10) At this point, we had to abandon the walking tour in order to get back to the apartment, eat, change clothes and make our date to see the burlesque show at the Moulin Rouge, known for its modern can-can dance revue. Located right at the foot of Montmarte hill, within walking distance of where we were staying, in the famous red light district known as Pigalle, this cabaret has been in operation since 1889. A social hot spot during the Belle Époque, which was an extravagant period of industrial progress cultural excess, this area of Paris was frequented by some of the most famous actors (Aristide Bruant) and artists (Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec) of Paris. Walking in the haunts of these greats made me forget how tired I was. We decided to walk home, and even though it was nearly midnight, we stopped for a drink at Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat) an establishment every bit as famous the Moulin Rouge.
(11) Before crashing into bed to rest up for my second day in Paris, I laid out the souvenirs I had from the day for a photo. What a day! Metro rides to the Grand Palais for exhibits of Vigée Le Brun and Picasso Mania, lunch on the Champs-Élysées Blvd. and a walk to Notre Dame and medieval Paris, including a stop at the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, and then a show at the Moulin Rouge and a drink at Le Chat Noir. I was in Paris for sure!
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