Magnetising Montmarte

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The Paris nostalgia is at its peak, specially when I am talking about Montmarte. The happening district located in the 18tharrondisement in a hilly area is teeming with tourists for many reasons. The Sacre- Couer Basilica – a Byzantine cum Romansque designed structure is indeed beautiful. From its campus, one can have sweeping panoramic views of Paris. October being the wine festival time, holds a special excuse for Montmarte being overcrowded. Artists lining up on street sides, urge people to get themselves canvassed either in caricature or portrait form, musicians and DJs rocking in euphoria, the quintessential Parisians brasserie offering best of wines, create an elated atmosphere.




France and food have always been synonymous. One can go binge eating from wide range of boulangeries, pattiseries, restaurants, cafes, bistros and dining plazas, a tourist is spoilt with too culinary choices from the best of wine and champagnes, torte and cakes, cheese and crepes, quiche and pies, wide range of bread and umpteen variety of coffee. So remember to leave room in your stomach before you pack your bags.
  



Love has always been well equated with Paris. There is a navy blue coloured 40 metre square wall of love in the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmarte. It bears calligraphic inscriptions of “I Love You” in over 250 languages from all over the globe. Happy, indeed, when I saw “Aami tomake bhaalo baashi ”.Along with love erotica has also a special place in Montmarte. A lot of adult materials, devices, lingerie, etc. available in sex- shops chock- a- block the streets. 

One of the most potent reasons for popularity of this area is the Moulin Rouge. It is a little over century old cabaret show famous all over the globe for being beautiful, glitzy and age old. With a capacity of over 800 something people, this show serves 250 million bottles of champagne annually and because of this it has earned the tag of being the highest champagne consumer all the world. As I walked the red carpet and entered the hall, the sound of cheers and glass bottles greeted my ears. I felt, I was a part of classy audience in an elegant party of the super-rich which indeed it was. Seated in tables of four, six or eight, they werechatting, celebrating, singing, laughing to their heart’s content. Neon pink curtains and dim red lights added an extra dazzle to its impeccable interiors. This photography- prohibited show is priced between 110 to 190 euros (approx) is worth the wait and watch. As the curtain raised, the tizzy audience went into a hush. A bevy of most beautiful girls and handsome hunks in multi coloured, sequined, rhinestoned and feathery costumesof myriad colours, enthrall with dances, skating, songs, humour and acrobatic skills. In one of the sequences a girl dances by coiling herself with a love serpentine in a huge glass water tank which emanated from underneath the stage. This left the audience in a stupor of wonder. This is one of a lifetime experience and I definitely recommend this to one and all.

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