The Fifth Dimension Paris Latin Quarter

19 January 2013 by Paige Donner    1100  
The Fifth Dimension Paris Latin Quarter
Paris’ Latin Quarter, the 5th Arrondissement, is home to the heart of the city, the Notre Dame de Paris, a church that has stood its ground for 850 years and has welcomed millions of worshippers through its doors. The Latin Quarter is home to other legendary institutions and cultural monuments, too, such as La Sorbonne, the Pantheon and the city’s original cabaret, the Paradis Latin. During my many sojourns in Paris, I had never invested much time in the 5th. Perhaps it was from a sort of reverse snobbism… A decade ago the neighborhood was referred to as a quartier for students and tourists. Today, while there are still a good amount of students and tourists to rub shoulders with, you will also find that this oldest and most historical part of Paris – and one of the most expensive in real estate terms – is experiencing a re-blossoming of city-centric go-to references such as Terroir Parisien, Chef Yannick Alleno’s local food bistro, and this year’s La Revue du Vin de France Best Wine Shop, Le Quinze Vins. Both are a stone’s throw from Notre Dame de Paris… and the Paradis Latin. Geo-Locating Yourself An area that more or less stretches from the St. Michel Fountain (Fontaine St. Michel) up Blvd. St. Michel to the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardins Luxembourg) then over to encompass the Pantheon, Place de la Contrescarpe, the famous rue Mouffetard and Arènes de Lutèce (the old Roman arena dating back thousands of years that still stands more or less intact), all the way to Jardins des Plantes and then circling back to encompass the Institut du Monde Arabe, La Tour d’Argent (famous to the foodies among you) and then closing the circle back at the Notre Dame. Proposed Game Plan Say you have 5-7 days in Paris and you want to make the most of it – feel the vibrancy of the city, walk the pretty little cobblestone streets, kiss on the bridge as the bateaux glisten by along the Seine underneath… You want to walk out of your hotel lobby and be in the middle of the action but still have a quiet enough room so you can sleep soundly at night and perhaps take a restful stroll through the sprawling Luxembourg Gardens one afternoon or around the majestic Pantheon to pay homage to the great men like Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables, who are buried within. Here are some suggestions for you and your family or your romantic partner to have it all – fun, romance, food, culture, monuments, Parisian vibrancy, elegance, youthful appeal and contemplative restfulness – all within a concentrated radiant. Dinner And A Show Top on your list is Paradis Latin. This is a French Cabaret show like none other. Firstly, still in the original building designed by Gustave Eiffel where he first imagined the theater “Jardin d’Eden,” it has now been designated a cultural heritage site since its re-discovery and refurbishment in the 70s. And the girls here certainly Can-Can. More than that, the evening offers a full repertoire of entertainment, 8pm to about 11pm, and in this respect it stands apart from its Right Bank brethren. It’s something like a Vaudeville act in the most traditional and best sense. It’s a family-run house and you very much get that feeling, as if you’ve been invited to be part of a select group at a King’s Court. Between the dance numbers, which are all costumed, feathered and expertly choreographed, you will also enjoy a juggler who catches three champagne flutes on a tray balanced on his nose while riding a unicycle on stage. Yes. You have to see it for yourself. And then there’s “Christopher, l’oiseau du Paradis” which is a play on words and means “the bird of Paradise.” He flies above guests’ heads on a suspended trapeze when he’s not doing handstands on the tautly suspended ropes. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a live circus, but I caught myself with my jaw dropping on more than one occasion during his performance. In fact, the entertainment throughout the evening was so superb that it almost entirely eclipsed the meal. Which is saying a lot because the dinner here is good quality – steak or fish cooked just right, salmon or foie gras starters, a bottle of champagne or red wine left at your table. An evening at Paradis Latin is truly Dinner And A Show, in the old-world, Father Knows Best sense. Starting in January ‘13 and through the Spring – perhaps, I’m told, even into early summer – Paradis Latin is offering an Atelier CanCan. You can learn the French dance yourself, in classes with the Paradis Latin pros. Be advised – whooping at the top of your lungs goes along with the kicking high into the air of your stockinged legs. More information about the Atelier and how to sign up here: Twitter #atelierfrenchcancan; Facebook; Twitter.com/Paradis_Latin. 28 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris V, Quartier Latin Notre Dame de Paris Either before or after the show, you can easily swing by the Notre Dame de Paris. It’s just a stone’s throw (5 minute walk) from the Paradis Latin. Best to follow rue Cardinal Lemoine down to the Seine and then walk along the Quai the few hundred feet until you get to the small bridge that leads you to the majestic cathedral. The Seine and the church at night are gorgeous, regardless of the weather. Paris is magical for that – the lighting is always superb. In celebration of the church’s 850th year, the city has built a viewing platform just in front of the entrance to the Cathedral. It’s perfect for sitting and gazing or as staging for photos. You can read more about this special commemoration of Notre Dame de Paris (in English)…
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By Paige Donner