A Canadian in Paris

I’m back in Paris for the third time in as many months but I can’t complain. I flipped through French Vogue, checked my emails and enjoyed a café au lait at the Maple Leaf^TM Lounge before boarding, watched Incendies on the plane enroute and fully enjoyed the convenience of my complimentary transfer once arrived.

I’m staying at the Hotel Concorde La Fayette this time around, a 34-floor hotel with the most divine views—especially from the Panoramic Bar, with its floor to ceiling windows.

Louis met me there on my first night and we enjoyed a couple of drinks, Kir Royal for me and Pastis for him, while watching the city’s lights twinkle in the background. Fairy tale much?

Day two of my four-day jaunt spanned 2000 years—of history that is! From the Place de l’Opéra and Champs-Elysées to l’Arc de Triomphe and the Jardin du Luxembourg, I was whisked from one beautiful place to the next without a care in the world!

Being an avid reader (dare I even say a bibliophile?) I was absolutely tickled to discover that the Salon du Livre was being held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles during my visit. Score! With 180 000 visitors in just four days, from March 18th until the 21st, Paris’ annual book fair, which reunites readers and writers, is a great place to soak up some local culture.

Because Paris is fabulous by day, but absolutely unforgettable by night (it’s called “the city of light” for a reason folks!), I booked a Paris by night illuminations tour followed by a Moulin Rouge show.

After an extravagant dinner at Aux Lyonnais consisting of truffles, seafood and a rum-based soufflé, I boarded the coach and enjoyed the show: all of Paris’ most popular sights, monuments and squares lit up! Wow!

Once arrived in Montmartre, we were greeted by the sight of the famous (and infamous) Moulin Rouge. I’m happy to say that the cabaret, which opened in 1889 during Paris’ Belle Époque, is as debauch today as it was in its heyday.

The French Cancan and the leggy girls who performed it were a huge draw for the Moulin Rouge (and Toulouse-Lautrec, who immortalized them in an extensive series of drawings and paintings) which continues to thrill and delight visitors to this day.

After an evening of stockings and garters, music and dancing and truffles and wine I definitely felt like I had lived the Moulin Rouge experience. Now I’m wondering how to bring a little of that vibe back to Montreal… perhaps a quick stop in Agent Provocateur will do the trick.

My four days in Paris have literally flown by and it’s time for me to start thinking about my next adventure. Any ideas?