Classic or Cliché? (France, Part 2)

Paris, the biggest tourist destination in the whole world. It is, with New York, the most celebrated city on earth.   I couldn’t tell if I was going to love or hate it, but I knew I was going to feel something when I got there. Of all the things we did in Paris, I’ve decided what is tourist trappy cliché, and what is undeniably classic:

The EIFFEL TOWER

This is the most famous building in the world, and seeing it is person is pretty amazing - partly because of the size and style of the structure, but also because of how often it appears in pop culture and then suddenly it’s right there in front of you for real.

Sure, most Parisians haven’t been up it since they were kids, but it is without a doubt the biggest symbol of Paris, and something that sits, has always and will forever sit, in the background of daily life here.  

Eiffel Tower…CLASSIC

THE LOUVRE

We were there when it opened and made a B line for the Mona Lisa, hearing about how crowded it gets. It was just us and a few other people, so we certainly got a good look – as good as you can five metres away and from behind two panes of what I assume was bullet proof glass. It wasn’t long before the few people swelled into a big crowd and I was glad that we had soaked it in in the few moments we had with it.

Yeah, it was okay. But completely overhyped. Certainly wasn’t my favourite piece.

We spent 3.5 hours in the Louvre and it was the highlight of Paris for me. The still life paintings capturing European life of old were particularly cool, and I could of gone back day after day had I the time and money. The art itself, as well as the endless rooms and beauty of the museum, totally blew my mind.

Mona Lisa…CLICHÉ, but the Louvre in whole…CLASSIC

MOULIN ROUGE

Everybody has heard of the Moulin Rouge. It used to be the hottest place in the city, a burlesque show that drew the rich and the famous from all over Europe. It used to be edgy and exciting, and somewhat stylish. Now it seems to be nothing more than a tacky caricature of its former self, geared entirely towards tourists. Boo.

It’s the least seedy part of the seedy red light district filled with sex shops and peep shows. There’s even a Starbucks right across from it for god’s sake.

There are other nearby venues doing burlesque shows, all claiming to be the more authentic version, but I doubt you’d find single local in any of them.

Moulin Rouge…CLICHÉ

 

LOVERS BRIDGE

This is a bridge whose wire fencing has been completely filled up with padlocks, most of which have the names of two lovers. The thing to do is go there with a lover, lock the padlock on together and throw the key in the river Siene, thus locking your love together forever.

It’s a shame that these are regularly cut off or trimmed by the local council because the bridge wasn’t designed to take that sort of extra weight. Kinda makes the whole thing seem superficial and pointless. (No self-respecting Parisian would be caught dead putting a padlock on). But sometimes a cliché like this can be fun, so me and Rin put a padlock on, threw the key in the river, and left instructions for Mum and Dad to come find when they rock up in Paris in a few months.

Lovers Bridge…CLICHÉ (but in a good way)

THE ARC DE TROMPHE

The Arc de Trompe was built by Napoleon to welcome his soldiers back into the city, and it’s one of the city icons. The fact that its covered with people taking photo’s isn’t a turn on, but it is somewhat impressive as a structure, and instead of being isolated for preservation it is at the centre of one of the cities busiest round about at the top of a long avenue.

Arc de Tromphe…CLASSIC

FRENCH CUISINE

We ate well is France, but especially Paris. It is considered one of the top cuisines in the world. Yes, it was expensive, but thats just Paris. The food was quality and eating in the little bistros was nice. We tried duck in many different ways (we ordered it in every restaurant we went to in France), onion soup, fois gras, casserole, and good old steak frites. We even bought some nice cheese, only to bin it thinking it was off. Then we ordered the exact same thing after our meal one night at a bistro, and it stunk just as bad. Turns out the cheese we threw out wasn’t off, it was just living up to the French reputation for stinky cheese.

In addition to the fancy stuff, we ate plenty of banquets and croissants, macaroons and éclairs.

French Cuisine…CLASSIC

 

SACRED HEART

This cathedral sits on a hill overlooking the city, and houses some great mosaic works. It’s the first thing we did when arriving into town, and just as we made it up the hill the sun came out and shone on it with a  rainbow in the background, as if the old dude in the sky with the bushy beard was welcoming us.

Sacred Heart…CLASSIC

 

THE NOTRE DAM

I gotta say, this one was a disappointment. I guess I was expecting something epic, something that lived up to the impossible reputation. But truthfully, I’ve seen more impressive cathedrals in most European countries I’ve been two (even other towns in France). Instead I have put a photo of another part of the city.

At least it was free.

Notre Dame…CLICHÉ


PARIS

Paris overall was a hoot. I never intended or expected to come here on my travels. But now that I have I understand what all the fuss is about, I get it. This city has so much soul, so much distinct personality, that not even hordes of tourists have been able to corrode its character. Paris is a classic.