Notes
It is June 2014 and I can’t believe that I am sitting in a cafe here in Paris.
The Café Daguerre is just off the Av Du General Leclerc, on Rue Daguerre. Hence the name, I guess.
I’m sitting at a table on the curb, writing these notes. I can feel why it would be easy to come to Paris if you want to write. Observe. Observe and write. The people go about their business with no thought for me. There is no curiosity, no break in their stride as they go on their way, sometimes inches from where I sit watching them.
Paris is a busy city, and there are people everywhere. Despite the pedestrians and the riders on the public transport system, the roads are busy and packed with vehicles of all shapes. Today is my last day here in France and the first time I’ve had to sit down and gather my thoughts.
Did I like it? How much did it differ from preconceived notions?
Not much. I would think the culture shock is greater for North Americans.
It’s raining today. I can hear it splattering on the awning over my head. There are people chattering, drinking wine, shots of espresso. The traffic follows a pattern, seemingly chaotic, yet orderly.
There’s a couple discussing a book, maybe an author pitching an idea to his publisher? She’s wearing a t-shirt that was white at some point, but has since turned gracefully old.
The green pharmacy signs flash. Parisians of all types, in hooded rain jackets, the younger ones plugged into the ubiquitous headphones.
The fellow in the blue rain jacket is accosting passersby and seems to be canvassing for a petition of some kind.
The steady drizzle is interspersed with heavy downpours. A sudden shaft of light breaks through the wet. Could it be that the clouds are lifting? Finally?
Mother and son have gone down the road and underground to see the tunnels of human bones. The catacombs are an attraction, but I had a car to return, and didn’t care to go underground to see a display of human bones, however artistically they may have been arranged!
The Eiffel Tower is is far better to look at than to look out from.
I’m going to list some scores, ratings of the attractions.
Eiffel Tower
- Inside out: 6/10
- Outside up: 8/10
- Lit up from the Arc de Triomphe: 9/10
Louvre
- Difficult to identify replicas from originals: 5/10
- La Joconde: 6/10 (aka Mona baby)
Sacré-Cœur
- View from the outside: 9/10
- Inside: 7/10
Read a detailed account of this here.
Notre Dame
- Outside: in 9/10
- Inside: 9/10
- View from top: 6/10
Arc De Triomphe
- Outside in: 8/10
- View from the top: 9/10 (especially stay as dusk falls and the lights come on over the city)
Sainte Chappelle
- Outside: 2/10
- Inside: 4/10
- Stained glass comic strip bible: 9.5/10
Musée d’Orsay
- Overall: 8/10
- Monet & gang, Renoir, Degas: 9/10
Versailles
- Inside: 4/10
- Hall of Mirrors: 4/10
- Gardens: 9/10
- Marier estate: 5/10
- External: 8/10
Read a more detailed account here:
Chenonceaux
- Inside: 10/10 (The kitchen!)
- Outside: 9/10
See pictures and read an account here:
Mont St Michel
- From a distance: 10/10
- Up close: 8/10
- Internal: 7/10
- Village: 7/10
Rive Gauche: 6/10
Jardin Tuileries: 6/10
Jardin Luxembourg: 5/10
Cafes: 8/10
Coffee: 9.5/10
Sandwiches: 8/10
Bread: 9/10
Cheese: 9/10
Jambon: 9/10
Transport System
- Convenience: 9/10
- Cleanliness: 4/10
The storm looks like it has passed over. The rain has stopped and the light is getting stronger. Here come mother and son, chattering animatedly.
By the time you read this, I’ll be there again.
I wonder what notes I will produce this time. Meanwhile, if you want additional accounts of this trip please visit: https://www.sloword.com/france/
And please don’t forget to tell me your opinions of Paris in the comments below.