The Paris Traveler

I had another whirlwind day.  Since I can officially say that I know the city like the back of my hand, I am able to cover significant ground in very little time.  I even surprised myself a little bit with how much I did and saw.   The day started here, at Place Colette in the 1er arrondissement.  Metro Palais Royale/Musée de Louvre will get you there.  It is one of those places that should be on everyone’s Paris “to do” list and isn’t.  It’s named after Colette, the French novelist who wrote “Gigi” which eventually became the movie starring Leslie Caron.  She led an interesting life that might be worth a journey to Wikipedia or Google.  The small square butts up to the Palais Royal and the Jardin du Palais Royal where she lived for many years.   

 The square is home to a couple of things that might be of interest to you.  The Comédie-Française that you see in the picture is the only state theater in France and one of the few to have its own troupe of actors. This I did not know. Perhaps you have heard of the French playwright, Molière, who is most often associated with the Comédie-Française.  If not,  I highly recommend you rent Moliére to get a very entertaining look at who he was.  Also, throughout the month of June, the town of Versailles is celebrating the life and works of this man with Mois-Moliére.  Concerts, conferences, dance programs and theatre productions will pay tribute to his work.  That certainly should be on your to do list if you are here!

Since I am semi-all about shopping, the theatre has a GREAT gift shop that sells some really unique goodies you might not find in any other shops around town.  The people on your “Paris goody” shopping list will be happy.  

 If you are brilliant, and I know you are, you will have timed your visit here to coincide with wanting something to eat.  I have just the place for you.  Café Nemours is always a stop for me when I am in Paris.  It isn’t fancy and I don’t even know if it is mentioned in any guidebooks.  It is a wonderful place to sit and people watch as well as get a decent meal.  If you are lucky, the special will be a bowl of their delicious soup followed by a cheese plate.  It is here that I was introduced to REAL Roquefort.  Oh my gosh, I have not been the same since.  You must, you must, you must try their cheese plate.  Please.  You won’t be disappointed.  You will, however, be ruined for anything that pretends to be Roquefort, Camembert, etc. here in the states.  I always try and give you a heads up when I think you might be changed forever!

I have given you a few places to go on the web today to continue your journey of this tiny part of Paris.  I know it isn’t the same as actually being here, but if you follow the links you will know so much more when you arrive.  

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