As I left Les Invalides, I strolled down an esplanade lined with elegant low-rise buildings with gorgeous French windows, wooden shutters, and wrought-iron balconies. Grand entrances lead to the apartments within. I could imagine stepping out on one of the balconies on a warm sunny day, taking in the views and watching life pass by.
In Montparnasse, I was taken aback by the only skyscraper in the neighbourhood. Tour Montparnasse is 689ft (200m) tall and built on top of a train station. Erected in the 1970s, it is used as commercial offices, and while most Parisian see it as an eyesore, the observation deck provides spectacular views over the city. The tower's exterior was climbed three times in the last 25 years without any safety devices. An incredible feat that's equally scary to think about.
A short distance from the skyscraper are the Catacombs of Paris, an underground cemetery with walls made of bones and skulls. It is part of a network of tunnels built to connect ancient stone quarries. With more than six million people buried here, its primary purpose was to alleviate the overflow in cemeteries in the late 18th Century. Today it is part of Paris' museum circuit.
Veering north, I walked through the Latin Quarter, dfamous for its bookshops and the grand Panthéon building inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. A number of prominent personalities are buried here, including the author Voltaire, phiosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, singer and dancer Josephine Baker, and physicist Marie Curie.
Back at the Siene River, I crossed the Petit Pont bridge onto Île de la Cité. A ship-shaped island, it is the historical heart of the city. To the island's west is the 16th century Pont Neuf (New Bridge), the oldest bridge in the city, still in its original form. The French Gothic architecture of Notre-DameCathedral occupies a good portion of the southeast side. This stunning cathedral took 180 years to build and is the most recognised symbol of Paris and the French nation. It gained popularity after Victor Hugo wrote his novel "Notre-Dame de Paris" ("The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" in English). It was here that Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, and the liberation of Paris was celebrated in 1944. My favourite part of this cathedral is the spectacular rose windows with their intricate stained glass designs and beautiful combination of colours.
When wandering through Paris, what becomes apparent are the subtle colours in its architecture. Most of the buildings are in their natural stone colours, creating a soft neutral palette, but that doesn't mean that all of Paris is like that. One of the loveliest colourful streets is Rue Cremieux in the 12th arrondissement. The houses and window shutters on this cobblestoned street are painted in gorgeous pastel colours. At the same time, large terracotta pots bring texture and greenery. It is undoubtedly an Instagram-worthy location and a spot for a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre.
Today was an expensive day: groceries, petrol, and gardening bill. Ouch.
It was also day of highs and lows health-wise: GP gave me the green light to return to exercise (in moderation); said GP is also concerned that after eight weeks, the abscess still hasn't healed, so is sending through a referral to my colorectal surgeon for a second opinion; and in just four weeks, I have shed 6cm off my waist.
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