Smelling the croissants 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. I like to walk in a general direction with a certain aim in mind, but I’m extremely open to detours along the way.

Interesting things can be found in almost any area, if your eyes are open. Places like Montmartre are of course extremely packed with tourists, but try to stay away from the crowds and return later at night. For instance, the stairs at Rue Foyatier are like a cliché when they are beautifully lit at night. To keep the illusion, remember to 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 (sometimes) fewer. Just keep a clear distance to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and you will be fine. Order a coffee and leisurely watch the crowd passing by.

Whatever you do, don’t forget the breakfast! 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. Some people prefer smelling the roses, but I’m smelling the croissants.