I'm there around the 20th.

Do not under any circumstances miss out on a trip through the catacombs (the open bit, rather than going in illegally, which is fun but potentially dangerous). The Pompideu centre offers the best views in Paris and, depending on what the special exhibition is, is well worth a visit (the modern art gallery itself is OKish, but not really my tasse du the). The Arc is worth a look but I wouldn't go out of your way to see it, there's really rather little of interest, the Eifel tower is surprisingly impressive but not again it's nothing super-spectacular (the view at just-above-rooftop-height from the pompideu is more impressive IMO, esp. as it includes the Tower!). I haven't been to Notre Dame or the Louvre (well, been to the jardin but not inside) and I'm going to go to both when I'm there later this month.

Montmartre is still one of the cooler parts of Paris from what I can tell, it's become a bit less classy in recent years but has a kind of bohemian-yet-working chic that's very french, plenty of good places for a leaisurely drink too. You could have a look at the Sacre Coeur if you're there in the day, though it's nothing to go out of your way for.

But basically you gotta go to the catacombs (Carrieres de Paris); the public entrance is in Dennefert-Rocherau, which is also a fairly cool off-the-beaten-track place to hang out (Hemingway used to hang out there years ago, out of interest). Best and most unique tourist destination in Paris that I've seen.

Bear in mind that Versailles is pretty much a day trip, at least.

I'm there around the 20th for a wedding (not my own) so it looks like I'll just miss you; let me know if your plans change. Also let me know if you see/visit anything/anywhere good that I might not know about - I'm there 4 days and only really have the Louvre museum on the must-see agenda.

I'm willing to dress up.

Fuck the Louvre and fuck that overrated postage stamp of a painting that you can't even get within yards of: when in London do you go around the National or the Tate Modern/Britain? Musee d'Orsay is the one.

The couscous in Montmartre is very good value. In fact, I could quite happily spend a week just in Montmartre.

I'm there the 22nd-25th, let me know if you find anything cool/crappy in particular. I guess I can add the catcombs to my list. My hostel is in Montmarte so it sounds like a good location according to NV at least (and I'm not really sure if that's a good or bad thing).

First Im not going to bother with correct punctuqtion and stuff cos these french keyboards are wack


Went to Montparnasse and was like "Wtf how could they recommend this shit..." Now I see its Montmartre… duh

Anyway…

Short sightseeing report:

Le Louvre was cool, insanely huge obviously. I preferred the top floors with the 1700-1800 paintings. Saw the Mona Lisa etc. The amount of people visiting was insane, more like a world cup than a museum

Catacombs, had a line a mile long, fuck it. Will go back on a week day.

Pantheon, ok, not worth the 7 euro.

Arc de Triomph was pretty impressive. A lot bigger than I thought. Like eight stories high. Very beautiful and inspiring.

The Mosque was fucking annoying. Bunch of screaming arabian crones, stay away.

Going to the tower today I think.



Food report...

Definetely the best part; Im just gonnq run through it day by day:

Day 1
Airplane lunch was pretty tolerable, chicken with pasta

Dinner at Japaneese restaurant. I thought it sucked but GF loved the fish dishes, I had some sub par meat and skipped the fish soup since I don’t eat any seafood.

Day 2
Breakfast at Starbucks, latte with a pain au chocolate and a cookie. Standard.

Lunch at La Petit Cour. Simply amazing. Chanterelles for entrée, the duck with pure de pomme and vanilla for main course and a chocolate mousse with caramelized hazelnuts for dessert. Absolutely terrific restaurant hidden north of the Palais du Luxembourg on Rue Mabillon.

( found a link http://www.idealgourmet.fr/index.php?pg ... esa&lg=_en )

Dinner at an art deco restaurant called Le Boeuf sur le Toit on Rue de Colisèe near Champs-Elysèes. Nice sallad for entrée, but a bit disappointing pepper steak for main course. The excellent dessert made up for it though. A flambé crème brule that was fantastic.

Day 3
Breakfast at Starbucks, coffy with a pain au chocolate and a donut. Standard.
Lunch at a tiny latin American place near the mosque. I loved my entrée, slices of cold potato with some odd cheese-like spicy sauce. The tamales however sucked. Maybe theyre supposed to, never had any before. The dessert was simple, some sponge cake with icecream. Quaint, but nothing amazing.

Dinner consisted of a baguette; some camembert and cherry marmalade on the hotel room.

Day 4 – today
Brunch at a weird American-inspired place. Philly sandwiches suck, disgusting really, the beef is stringy and tastes like ass, the bread had no texture and the veggies tasted old. The milkshake and coal slaw was good though.



A lot of stores are closed on Sundays but Im gonna see if I can find some cigars and then head out to the tower if the weather stays nice.


Ps the Q on this stupid keyboard is where the A is supposed to be and you have to press shift to get a punctuation, its just generally retarded.