Walk this way…

We thought there would be an enormous queue for the “Dragons, between science and fiction” exhibition, but we were wrong. We thought it was pretty good stuff, lively, poetic and amusing (and although taking photos was actually forbidden we managed to get a couple of sneaky ones!).

If you go, try the audio guide and take the time to listen to the various legends that are told (ours was in French, but we think it may also be available in English). And as your ticket also gets you into the main museum free, don’t leave before having a wander around the huge and impressively-staged displays…

After having eaten at the Mosque (see our restaurant review) we let our food go down during a walk around the Jardin Des Plantes, which seems to be almost entirely dug up at the moment for new drains to be installed. Luckily, the Alpine Garden hasn’t been touched.

It’s a hidden garden that you absolutely must visit, calm and great for quiet thought and chilling out.

We left the Jardin Des Plantes through the great gate next to the Cuvier fountain, a beautiful piece with a multitude of detailed animal sculptures on it.

Walming back up towards the Panthéon, passing through the Arènes de Lutèce and onto the quiet rue Rollin where Descartes once lived, we walked up the rue Thouin onto the rue des Fossés St. Jacques, passing by Pasteur’s old laboratory. After quickly dipping into the great second-hand bookshop specialising in travel books (rue Claude Bernard) we finished our walk on the sixth floor of the Hôtel Des Grand Hommes to admire the view (for those lucky enough to have stayed there, you’ll know that the view is worth it!).

Like jazz? Try this great record store on rue des Arènes:

Crédit Photographique : Whittaker/Bisotti