Quartier Latin, St-Germain & Montmartre. Again.
A typical French breakfast - think Cafe au Lait, croissant, etc - in one of the cafés around Place de la Contrescarpe should fuel your explorations along cobblestoned pathways in the Quartier Latin and the Sorbonne University area. Stroll through Jardin de Luxembourg, a well-manicured park towards St-Germain. Just enough to work up an appetite again: Steak frites at Relais de L’Entrecôte Saint Germain scratches that delicious itch perfectly. To avoid a beef induced food coma, keep on trucking towards the Musee D’Orsay. The old railway station is ideal for brushing up on your knowledge of impressionist masterpieces, exhibiting some of the most famous Van Gough, Monet and Renoir paintings. Finally, a meander around Pont Alexandre III, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand and Petit Palais will satisfy any remaining need for Old World architectural extravagance.
Returning to Montmartre - because why not! - a stop at Le Moulin de la Galette for a cosy dinner is almost imperative. Located underneath one of the two remaining historical windmills that used to dot the neighborhood, this restaurant impresses with its Parisian ambience, superb service and seasonal menu. Save room for a few scoops of ice cream at the Scaramouche stand for some of the most exquisite and unusual flavors you’ve ever experienced. Up the steep staircase at the end of the same alley is the ultimately charming Au Petit Théatre du Bonheur. Poke your head in, you might get lucky and catch a chanteuse á la Edith Piaf performing in this heartbreakingly delightful shoebox theatre. The world famous Moulin Rouge is certainly an institution and naturally a major tourist attraction. Located in the midst of the red-light district the theatre puts on two cabaret shows a night and while it’s overpriced, it is still on many bucket lists for its seductive and enjoyable can-can dance by leggy, modern-day courtesans. À la prochaine (until next time), Paris!
