Back in Paris

Paris is one of the great cities on the planet. Even though I’ve been here before, there is always so much to do and experience. Revisit the classics or find new gems, the choice is yours.

The best way to experience the city is to walk along the streets, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. Montmartre is of course extremely touristy, but some areas can be quite nice when you’re in the right mood. For instance, the stairs at Rue Foyatier are like a cliché when they are beautifully lit at night. Just stay clear of the endless amounts of dog litter.

Down the stairs at Rue Foyatier.

Montmartre has seen a surge of tourists after the 2001 movie Amélie, and one of the more popular places is Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic where the main characters worked. As a café goes it’s pretty standard issue, but since I’m a movie buff I had go there. We actually passed the actor Dominique Pinon in the same area, who starred as Joseph in the movie.

Hanging around at Café des Deux Moulins.

When you grow tired of the Montmartre cliché, why not go to areas such as Marais and the Latin Quarter, where the restaurants are better and tourists are fewer. Just keep a clear distance to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and you will be fine.

And the breakfasts! A petit dejeuner does not get any better than when it’s served on a sunny outdoor table in Paris. Un café crème avec un croissant, s’il vous plaît.