We’ve had quite a day, visiting Place du Tertre at Montmartre with throngs of other tourists, taking a break in the afternoon, then walking over to where Les Halles used to be. To get ourselves in the proper mood, we were thinking about Emile Zola’s book that takes place in Les Halles, Le Ventre de Paris. (The Belly of Paris). The main character, a fellow named Florent, had been found, barely alive, by a lady at the head of an early morning procession of vegetable carts heading to market at Les Halles. Continue reading “Les Halles and Le Ventre de Paris”
Tag: Emile Zola
Montmartre and Les Halles
We’re in the central square, Place du Tertre, in Montmartre, outside under the canopy of trees here. Restaurants line the square. Big canvas sunshades are set up in the center of the square so people can eat outside and be protected from the elements. The atmosphere has a circus-like quality to it. Everyone seems to be having a good time, including the servers at Au Cadet de Gaston.
We’ve just finished lunch with a whole bunch of people who must have had the same idea today as us. The place was packed. Even though this place is unquestionably touristy, everyone sitting around us had been speaking French. Interesting, eh? Continue reading “Montmartre and Les Halles”
