To The Latin Quarter

"Certainly. But I suggest we walk instead of drive. Notice the narrow streets. Some of these streets... watch the cobblestones... date back before the Revolution. But I think you like the little shops, the small cafes. Some of them are like the Old Paris you may have come here to see. And so many kinds of things to eat, and drink, and listen to in the little clubs.

You may like it here. Yes, you may like the Latin Quarter very much, if you like adventure and a touch of the out-of-the-ordinary. Is it safe, you ask. Oh, I think it is as safe as anywhere. You know to be especially careful of pickpockets in Europe, anywhere it is crowded, like in the airports, on the streets. You know. But I would take my mother here.

It is not at all like, say, around Place Pigalle. That is where the, um, more revealing kinds of entertainment may be found.
The can-can may have begun in Montmartre, perhaps at the Moulon Rouge, and you can still see that sort of show there.
But it is quite tame for these days, don't you think. Or perhaps not.
Each person's taste is different.

Each person's taste is different.
Oh, that is so true. Still... you know about French pastries, don't you. No, no, not like in America. There is no comparison. None.
Let me prove it to you. Get in the car and we will go to one of the three Laduree tea rooms. Let's make it the one on the Champs Elysees.

Here. Get out, and look at the wonders of French desserts. Did you know that French desserts can cost as much as an entree. Yes... and worth every centime. The framboise... rasberries... they are unlike any other on the face of the planet. Try them. Take a look at them at the Laduree website. I will take the car around the block to give you time. But please do come back so we can finish our journey. I know you will be tempted to stay longer than you should, and I cannot blame you.

You have returned. Merci beaucoup. For your courtesy, I will take you by the outdoors Barbes Market. It is quite crowded on weekends, and you can find all your vegetables there. You may have noticed there is not much grocery shopping in the center of Paris any more.

But there are many little groceries and that sort of thing in Montmartre these days. This is where our artistic types tend to congregate now. The Left Bank you may have heard so much about, it is more high rise. Yes, there is a restaurant district around le Metro station at Montparnasse, and it is very, very good with many small places with all sorts of cuisines. Still, Montmartre is the avant guarde today. Who knows where it will be tomorrow.
By the way, yes, that is Sacre Coeur up on the hill.

We could go on and on, exploring little sidewalk cafes or going on Le Bateux Parisiens for a gourmet dinner on the Sein (click the Our Visit button at left for a description of that experience), or perhaps finding a summer Carnival at the Tuilleries, or... or... But let's see a little more of France before we have to go home. Click Here to take a short journey into the countryside.
Zut alors - Here we go.

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