We’re back in Paris now and this time and we’re trying to see all the stuff we didn’t have time to see last time. And we’re probably going to fail since Paris really does have that much to see and do. And it’s very easy to find more things to see and do just by walking down the street and seeing posters or signs. Either way, we don’t mind failing, we’re having fun doing it.
We were lucky enough that our travel plans lined up perfectly with our friends Nicole & Chris and Jane & Christine so we were able to catch up over good food and do some sightseeing. We ticked off a couple of things we had on our sightseeing lists like catching a show at the Moulin Rouge and visiting the catacombs.
The Moulin Rouge show wasn’t just topless girls dancing the Can-can, although that did happen. But they also have some amazing acrobatics and some comedy to mix it up a little. It’s a good night out, though a bit pricey. I definitely wouldn’t go to the dinner show. The food starts at €200 for a meal!
The catacombs are where 6 MILLION Parisians are buried. They weren’t originally buried here, but when all the graveyards were full and the king was worried about diseases spreading he ordered all the graves to be dug up and the bones reburied in the old quarry tunnels under the city. Along the way someone with an artistic flair decided to arrange the bones in a visually appealing way and so you now have tunnels full of bones stacked up to the ceiling in various formations.
Paris is a foodie dreamland and it seems to be impossible to find bad food (unless you’re right next to a major tourist attraction). There’s some average food, lots of good food and we’re having a very high hit rate of awesome food without needing to do any research. We’ve found our favourite cheese shop and more than a few good patisseries just by walking past them.
We did buy one cheese that was of the stinky variety: Époisses. It didn’t taste too strong but it has a very strong smell. Especially when you only eat half of it, realise you’re running late for the Moulin Rouge and leave the cheese sitting on the table stinking up the apartment while you’re out. Nicole and Chris had to leave the window open overnight to get the smell out. They did this even though it was only 5°C outside. That’s how much it smells. Then I got in trouble the next day for opening the fridge without asking and letting the smell back into the apartment.
Walking around Paris in the winter months is actually very scenic and it’s far less manic than in July, so you can have a nice stroll and admire the beauty of the city without the huge crowds. I spent a whole day wandering along the Seine just to take photos.
So that’s it for now, we’re looking forward to spending more time exploring the city and checking out some (slightly) lesser known attractions. And to looking for more great food options. I’m going to have to put together a food map of all the awesome places we’ve been to when we’re done.
Very nice places. We did go there when you were very young, but now you have all the time to explore it. I like cheese too, but too fatty if you eat too much, enjoy in moderation. When do you come back for a break?, before you go again to your tours?
Love,
Mum
Hi Mum, yes we will be back in Australia for a little while before we go off on the next part of our trip. We will be a lot fitter then because we are going to be doing a lot more adventure activities like hiking in the Andes and Amazon Jungle. So it’s not too bad if we indulge a little bit now!
Getting things ready for the Christmas holidays. Sounds like you have a European holiday this year. We have enjoyed all your post. Have a nice Holiday
Hi Bernadine, glad you are enjoying my stories and pictures. We will be in Europe just long enough for me to have my first white Christmas so that will be very exciting. We’re going to a ski resort to make sure that there will be snow. Merry Christmas to all of you in the States too!