Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Pigalle & Le Moulin Rouge
Keep the children at home, remind the husband of his marriage vows, and practice saying voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir (or not!). Pigalle is the quartier chaud, in other words, the red light district of the city of Paris. It is situated in the 18th arrondissement (the shady side) and its tacky neon lights is the total cliché of the sex industry. The crowd in the area is a mix of the night people, its original habitants, and tourists.Prostitution is not illegal in France. However, it IS illegal to work for a pimp or to solicit your services in the streets. Flashing private parts isn't allowed either, thank god. However, if a man happens to buy a bottle or two of champagne in your seedy club, and you just happen to drag him over to the private room with your skirt down, well, that will be simply considered "guest relations".
In the middle of it all, lies the infamous Moulin Rouge. Tickets for the show if I'm not mistaken costs €80 pp, that includes 2 drinks. Dinner + show costs from €150-€180 (depending on the dinner you choose). I was at first enthralled by the costumes and feathers and the whole set up, but after 15 minutes or so, it became harder and harder to be impressed. The women (of which maybe 20% are French) are constantly topless, the songs pretty lame, and in general it is very catered to tourists. The crowd varies from families with very young children, and groups of curious old men probably from countries where showing your boobs in public will end up in a death sentence. I say don't waste your money. Take your pictures in front of the theater, make sure your bags are zipped and get the hell out of the area.
If you are looking for a cabaret show that is worth that much money, go checkout Lido.
Metro: Pigalle, Anvers
Photos by Yamil Gonzalez
In the middle of it all, lies the infamous Moulin Rouge. Tickets for the show if I'm not mistaken costs €80 pp, that includes 2 drinks. Dinner + show costs from €150-€180 (depending on the dinner you choose). I was at first enthralled by the costumes and feathers and the whole set up, but after 15 minutes or so, it became harder and harder to be impressed. The women (of which maybe 20% are French) are constantly topless, the songs pretty lame, and in general it is very catered to tourists. The crowd varies from families with very young children, and groups of curious old men probably from countries where showing your boobs in public will end up in a death sentence. I say don't waste your money. Take your pictures in front of the theater, make sure your bags are zipped and get the hell out of the area.
If you are looking for a cabaret show that is worth that much money, go checkout Lido.
Metro: Pigalle, Anvers
Photos by Yamil Gonzalez
Monday, December 6, 2010
La Crêperie Bretonne
Crêpes are almost synonymous to France for many people. When tourists think of crêpes, they think of stands next to the Notre Dame where they get their fix with nutella, bananas, and strawberries. What people aren't aware of, is that crêpes are more than just snacks in the western region of France. They make up full meals, with savory crêpes filled with meat, veggies, even seafood, and dessert crêpes that are out of the world!The Montparnasse area is Paris is where you will find streets lined with crêperies. The reason being, the Montparnasse train station services trains that go to the western region of France. Over the years, many Bretons (people from Brittany) have settled in this area, hence the abundance of crêperies in Montparnasse.
One of our favorites is La Crêperie Bretonne. We stumbled across this crêperie when our ex-favorite made us wait too long. It was a blessing in disguise, as this little family run restaurant is great, and even accepts debit cards (many don't). You may have to stand a little in line regardless if it happens to be a warm summer day. People flock crêperies because they offer great meals at a little price. A simple crêpe should cost no more than €5,00 and other specialty crêpes no more than €11,00.
If you happen to take my advice and come here (you should!) do order for dessert a caramel beurre salé (if you have a sweet tooth) or the crêpe with cream of speculoos. You will not regret it!
La Crêperie Bretonne
56 Rue Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
Photos by Yamil Gonzalez
One of our favorites is La Crêperie Bretonne. We stumbled across this crêperie when our ex-favorite made us wait too long. It was a blessing in disguise, as this little family run restaurant is great, and even accepts debit cards (many don't). You may have to stand a little in line regardless if it happens to be a warm summer day. People flock crêperies because they offer great meals at a little price. A simple crêpe should cost no more than €5,00 and other specialty crêpes no more than €11,00.
If you happen to take my advice and come here (you should!) do order for dessert a caramel beurre salé (if you have a sweet tooth) or the crêpe with cream of speculoos. You will not regret it!
La Crêperie Bretonne
56 Rue Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
Photos by Yamil Gonzalez
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Miss France 2011
Miss France 2011 was elected yesterday night, and the reign was passed to 19 year old Mademoiselle Laury Thilleman, Miss Brittany. For once J and I were excited and proud of our new miss, since she comes from the same region of J's family. Her answers were intellectual, her beauty natural, and her allure so dignified. For everyone's information, unlike many countries in the world, candidates of Miss France are NOT allowed to have any sort of plastic surgery. I am not usually into beauty contests, but am a believer and supporter of natural beauty, if such contests must exist....Photos from Google Images
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It's Christmas Time Again!
Its freezing out and the streets are covered in snow (and eventually slush), but best of all Christmas decorations has started! *Squeal*!!!
The dome of Galeries Lafayette
A window display at Printemps
The Champs Elysées
Place VendômePhotos by Me
Last 2 Photos by Yamil Gonzalez
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