I wanted to know Paris more! Montmartre would be my birthday hangout for that November late morning and afternoon period, celebrating overseas felt correct! Miss COVID-19 had kept me grounded within the UK for two birthdays, England would not do for my 32nd birthday! Montmartre saw me sipping on a post-breakfast 'Ricard' drink before going for those escargots!
It was my special day! I had decided long before that November 14th birthday moment that another celebration of my life would not be spent within the United Kingdom! England just wasn't a mood for me! Which part of Paris would be 'calling' me? After clocking those Instagram photos of Montmartre, well it was a no-brainer! After climbing what felt like the steepest hill in my whole 32 years of life, I found myself practically standing on top of the world! Really? Yes! The weather that morning on my birthday had been awfully foggy but with some divine intervention those clouds took a hike and that blue Parisian sky returned! The 'Place du Tertre' would be my first port of call, I wanted to clock that artist filled square with my own eyes. You already know that I did just that! Triumphantly, if you must know. Things stood quiet, sitting outside one of the square facing establishments had me sipping on something strong, I'll leave that beverage for another blog post. Montmartre had big plans for me, seeing life gave me life!
Building like a dance anthem, the tempo turned up that morning as those artist types setup their easel stands and paintings. Even though things resembled a touristy sight I was not mad, head almost up in the clouds in Paris's Montmartre didn't have me thinking twice. As Paris got her act together, I made those first steps around Place du Tertre with the most excitement. Purely for face value, I weaved in and out of those busy street painters as they tried to snag a tourist purpose, I was there for the culture! The Basilica of the Sacred Heart allowed me enough time to get my phone out for the best photo around that neighbouring square, a certain 'Beauty and The Beast' hype had me taking a double take as I stood within that Montmartre location. As breakfast transitioned into lunch, I felt like I had had my fill of that ever busy artists corner, I noticed those tourists who had no shame! No, we were all present in that moment for different reasons and my birthday motive wouldn't have me feeling petty. Oh, my Parisian birthday! Go!
Way back when, Paris already had big plans for me make a reality! The 'Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre' had featured in a travel documentary some years before that 2022 Paris birthday experience, from that show view until real-time, sure the universe sorted out that holy Parisian addition. Promise this, as I walked into the imposing yet welcoming doors of the basilica, it had me feeling all kinds of serene feelings. I am not religious but I did light a candle because I surrendered my senses to the unstoppable 18th century house of worship, no questions! Breaking the ground since 1875, yet another Napoleon reference was served up to me! It was an actual pleasure to have walked around that Parisian landmark, abiding by the rules I didn't take any photos inside the 'Sacred Heart' because I had enough of a view from the outside. Not yet a national landmark? For real?! Paris Commune better shake a leg! 103 years and what? Anyhow, the weather fixed itself up with the most, impressed I was! Montmartre kept serving!
My birthday felt like the best one since I had hopped on that Korean Air flight from Beijing, China over to Seoul, South Korea in November 2019. The security of the 'Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre' gave me the feeling that 2022 birthday was my comeback into the world, something of a rebirth you might have called it? Damn right! The whole area around that legendary Paris place of worship had me feeling extremely thankful for that birthday moment. The detail displayed from the exterior of the basilica looked effortlessly historically with those three palatial heaven facing domes. My second place of worship in two days? No, Paris allowed me to see one 'house of god' per day for the first three days in the French capital. From the 'Notre Dame' to the 'Sacré-Cœur' with 'Saint-Étienne-du-Mont' giving me another reason to pay attention, those places deserved my respect. Higher still, Paris's 'Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre' amazed me with such details but most of all my birthday was elevated! Nom de Dieu! I said it!
Having made those primary birthday moves like I meant it, I had already enjoyed the Place du Tertre and the Sacré-Cœur as if another Pandemic Lockdown had just been announced! You know, no crumbs would be found from that birthday visit, I wanted that extra Montmartre slice! I walked the short distance from that artistic square along Rue Norvins, it saw me weaving in and out of the crowds, it was getting seriously busy and I was getting hungry! Taking a seat outside of 'Le Consulat', Instagram had me noticing that gorgeous looking café/restaurant like clockwork. Two 'entrées' would be enough, I already knew what I wanted to eat and drink! Without hesitation, I ordered the 'Soupe à l'oignon gratinée' and '6 escargots de Bourgogne' because I wanted to sample those french favourites. A glass of red wine was definitely ordered with that birthday occurring, I needed to keep suitably hydrated. Le Consulat was about to serve up actual 'snails!' I was excited to try such starters, Montmartre had me living a birthday dream!
Le Consulat had me falling in love with what was served up to me, embracing that 'Parisian Style Table Service' and them some! The French onion soup had a glazed cheesy top, breaking through that crispy delicious layer of heaven had my taste-buds feeling excited! No words could express in that moment as to how sumptuous that bowl of soup tasted, I enjoyed every single mouthful! I remembered when I cooked my own French onion soup at university during my culinary course, after tasting such a thing in Paris, it had me confirming a future installment of 'Recipes With... Miss France!' Those snails had me using some crazy utensil, I managed to prize the meat out of the shell and with one swoop I ate that fun-size snack with the quickness. Honestly, the garlic sauce was the only taste on my palette with nothing bad to say about the snails. I would definitely order snails again but with that Parisian experience concurred I felt content with those lunch choices. Actually, in that moment I almost ordered another serving of escargots! Oh, MM!
Like a dream, my birthday outing within Paris's Montmartre saw me crossing those 'category' checkpoints effortlessly. Being my 32nd birthday, did I fancy any cake? No, I wanted to sample some French Macaroons instead of a piece of birthday cake because I wanted to be fancy! Making my way back up Rue Norvins in a reverse direction, I managed to track down 'Biscuiterie de Montmartre' like it was meant to be! No word of a lie, that macaroon filled biscuit shop had me smelling some seriously sweet sensations. The many different macaroons all had their own styles and colours, I wanted to try everything in-sight! Flexing my French language skills once again, I was able to explain that it was my birthday and instead of having cake I wanted to enjoy a box of macaroons instead. I went for the box of 15? Don't quote me, the price wasn't an issue because what's life without a few treats every now and then? I couldn't stress how great it was to be using my limited French skills and to embellish on them in such a short time! Oui, d'accord!
Yes, those macaroons came in handy because they were enjoyed the following day after another full on day spent sightseeing. I didn't feel like I was missing out by not having any cake because I wanted to try something different as mentioned before. The morning and afternoon spent in Montmartre had been amazing, before I made my next move, I want to stress how blessed I felt in that moment and right now because the last two years have not been easy. Soaking up every single shred of culture, the buzzing energy surrounding those winding streets had me feeling less than stressed, I embraced all of the crazy! The Sacred Heart allowed me to witness something spectacular and Place du Tertre served up exactly what I had wanted! Sure, standing within that elevated part of the city was the only 'category' I wanted to be a part of! My lunch amazed me, trying something familiar was nice but those snails tasted mighty fine! Paris allowed me to recapture what a busy city quarter felt like, nestled within that corner felt ace. Ç'est parti! Done!
Let Them Eat?... Macaroons!
Desperately Seeking Adventure