Musée de l'érotisme
...and other places.
So Day 3 in Paris. First stop of course, breakfast, and a hot chocolate unlike anything I have ever had before. For starters it was not really hot - it was more as if someone had melted a chocolate bar and put it in a cup - incredibly rich. Even me with my appetites found it daunting.
And on to - The Louvre. Now this did not go well at all. You'll recall that there was a heatwave in Paris last week - similar to the weather we currently have in the UK. Now whoever designed this thing decided to create a big glass pyramid over the main entrance area where it is necessary to queue with thousands of other people for tickets.
Crowds I can do. Heat I can do. The two combined - proved almost fatal. I felt so unwell that at one point I really did think that all the years of Strongbow, Fry-ups, Ham, Crisps etc had finally caught up with me. But no, I thought, the world cannot be denied of Bicester Blogger yet - there is still much to do! So finally we staggered into the main part of the museum and into cooler territory.
Quite honestly the Louvre wasn't my thing we had only really gone to see the Mona Lisa. I was most disappointed to discover that it was in a large hall, and not in fact in the small room as had been portrayed in the 1979 four episode Tom Baker Doctor Who story "City Of Death" filmed in Paris. In fact I am beginning to suspect this scene may have been mocked up in a studio - another childhood illusion shattered. Anyway, Mona Lisa seen and a quick walk round one of the other galleries and then outside before I expired. Clearly I survived the experience as I am still here - but never again.
As on the previous days we found ourselves looking round other random places - and by mid afternoon were standing by the Moulin Rouge which is close to the Paris equivalent of Soho. We found the delightful Musée de l'érotisme which whilst appearing rather small from outside was well worth the entry fee as it was spread over 7 floors. All the exhibits had English translations and this place turned out to be an absolute gem.
Not because I am obsessed with sex (though that helps) but the place was clearly really well thought out and designed - with countless exhibits of erotic art, ancient dildos, etc. There was a whole floor dedicated to the history of Paris brothels and prostitution which I found fascinating.
On another floor there was a little studio set up showing erotic films - not the ones you see these days but from the early days of cinema, 1920's silent films. Now I was under the impression that "porn" from this era would be tame - but oh my - absolute filth - just along the lines of what you would see today - couple of scantily clad housemaids getting it on - fully explicit prior to being caught and "punished" by the man of the house. it even had captions, Charlie Chaplin/ Harold Lloyd style. To be honest - I found the whole thing far more arty and erotic than most of the mindless predictable porn peddled these days. And clearly so did the young French woman who was sat in the chair before me whom I observed for a brief period, but I think as this is a family blog I must draw the line at explaining why. Let's just say "Sherlock Ayres" had his forensics hat on.
During the evening while we were dining out I did get Claire laughing, I know it was a bit mean at an old lady's expense, but while we were eating (al fresco again), a really old lady hobbled by us bent double almost - she must have been at least 90, possibly even 100. I said to Claire - you know I think I recognise that woman - she was in that movie we watched this afternoon!
And so Friday dawned, and we headed for home, back to the kids and normal life and a weekend's DJ'ing but what an amazing and enjoyable trip away. I've said it before - but if you are married with kids - take the time once a year minimum to get away and just be you and your partner again.
Bon soir!
If you have enjoyed reading this blog, please take a look at my books on Amazon (Paperback & Kindle), where you can read lots more of the same! Click here.
Jason xx
So Day 3 in Paris. First stop of course, breakfast, and a hot chocolate unlike anything I have ever had before. For starters it was not really hot - it was more as if someone had melted a chocolate bar and put it in a cup - incredibly rich. Even me with my appetites found it daunting.
And on to - The Louvre. Now this did not go well at all. You'll recall that there was a heatwave in Paris last week - similar to the weather we currently have in the UK. Now whoever designed this thing decided to create a big glass pyramid over the main entrance area where it is necessary to queue with thousands of other people for tickets.
Crowds I can do. Heat I can do. The two combined - proved almost fatal. I felt so unwell that at one point I really did think that all the years of Strongbow, Fry-ups, Ham, Crisps etc had finally caught up with me. But no, I thought, the world cannot be denied of Bicester Blogger yet - there is still much to do! So finally we staggered into the main part of the museum and into cooler territory.
 |
| Outside the Louvre - looking rather rotund after the 1000 calorie hot chocolate. |
Quite honestly the Louvre wasn't my thing we had only really gone to see the Mona Lisa. I was most disappointed to discover that it was in a large hall, and not in fact in the small room as had been portrayed in the 1979 four episode Tom Baker Doctor Who story "City Of Death" filmed in Paris. In fact I am beginning to suspect this scene may have been mocked up in a studio - another childhood illusion shattered. Anyway, Mona Lisa seen and a quick walk round one of the other galleries and then outside before I expired. Clearly I survived the experience as I am still here - but never again.
 |
| Claire outside the Moulin Rouge |
As on the previous days we found ourselves looking round other random places - and by mid afternoon were standing by the Moulin Rouge which is close to the Paris equivalent of Soho. We found the delightful Musée de l'érotisme which whilst appearing rather small from outside was well worth the entry fee as it was spread over 7 floors. All the exhibits had English translations and this place turned out to be an absolute gem.
 |
| Would Madame care for a sit down? |
Not because I am obsessed with sex (though that helps) but the place was clearly really well thought out and designed - with countless exhibits of erotic art, ancient dildos, etc. There was a whole floor dedicated to the history of Paris brothels and prostitution which I found fascinating.
 |
| You're never too old! |
On another floor there was a little studio set up showing erotic films - not the ones you see these days but from the early days of cinema, 1920's silent films. Now I was under the impression that "porn" from this era would be tame - but oh my - absolute filth - just along the lines of what you would see today - couple of scantily clad housemaids getting it on - fully explicit prior to being caught and "punished" by the man of the house. it even had captions, Charlie Chaplin/ Harold Lloyd style. To be honest - I found the whole thing far more arty and erotic than most of the mindless predictable porn peddled these days. And clearly so did the young French woman who was sat in the chair before me whom I observed for a brief period, but I think as this is a family blog I must draw the line at explaining why. Let's just say "Sherlock Ayres" had his forensics hat on.
 |
| Now that's what I call a dessert! |
During the evening while we were dining out I did get Claire laughing, I know it was a bit mean at an old lady's expense, but while we were eating (al fresco again), a really old lady hobbled by us bent double almost - she must have been at least 90, possibly even 100. I said to Claire - you know I think I recognise that woman - she was in that movie we watched this afternoon!
And so Friday dawned, and we headed for home, back to the kids and normal life and a weekend's DJ'ing but what an amazing and enjoyable trip away. I've said it before - but if you are married with kids - take the time once a year minimum to get away and just be you and your partner again.
Bon soir!
If you have enjoyed reading this blog, please take a look at my books on Amazon (Paperback & Kindle), where you can read lots more of the same! Click here.
Jason xx
Comments
Post a Comment