Gnarfgnarf activities in Paris, France

Blading Capital of the World

Romance in the heart of the Latin Quarter

Go for a stroll, a roll, a jog, a walk or a sunbath by the River Seine.

The Pantheon: To the Great Men of France

CITY WALKS

Circuit Numéro 1

Start early morning at The Arc de Triomphe. Stroll leisurely down the Champs Elysées and stop at some of the luxury stores. If you're hungry grab a bite at the café on the first floor of the Virgin or in one of the Pomme de Pain boulangeries. There are usually some interesting art expos at the Grand Palais, at the bottom of the Champs. Keep trekking towards Concorde Square. Cross over to have lunch in the Quartier Latin. Once replete walk to Notre Dame for a nap on the benches of its gardens. Take the stairs down to the banks and sunbathe, weather permitting. Bring your swimming trunks, ladies need not wear bras. Have an ice cream at Bertillon. Even in winter, it's worth it.

Circuit Numéro 2

Start early afternoon south of Ile de La Cité. Check out some of the posters and bookstalls. If you read the linguo you might get discount prices. No need to haggle you pay for what you get. Cross over to Les Halles and Centre Georges Pompidou. If you feel like splurging 30 francs on a capucino, make my day. Shift slowly towards the Marais, get some dinner, then some more drinks in one of the many bars. Grab a falafel at Rue des Rosiers if you're hungry, there are plenty of stalls for a quick bite. Check out the stand up comedians of the Marais.

Circuit Numero 3

Start at the heart of the Quartier Latin, Fontaine St Michel, Métro St Michel. Early morning, as we, the locals, the people who own this city, move about, you have the leisure of enjoying bustling joie de vivre. Move purposefully down the Rue de la Huchette around the side streets and the back alleys. Keep walking along the river and leave Notre Dame behind you for a sudden right turn towards the Montagne Sainte Geneviève. You should be strolling on the Rue St Jacques in between the Sorbonne and the Lycée Louis le Grand, respectively the oldest university and the most prestigious high school in France. On your left will appear the immutable and imposing shape of the Pantheon, where all the great men of our nation are buried. Pay due respects. From the top of these stairs, the likes of Victor Hugo are watching over the Quartier Latin. Carry on east towards the Rue Mouffetard, you have earned a café on the Place de la Contre Escarpe. Relax, you need your wits about to shop for fresh groceries at the local open-air market. Try the cheese shops, the wine shops, the tart and cake shops. Go ahead, come on, you've just lost calories walking, so it's time to treat yourself. Once your shopping done, walk from the market back west. At a brisk pace you will be able to enjoy your food at the Jardin du Luxembourg within half an hour. These French gardens offer plenty of trees, fountains and chairs.

COOL STUFF

Cool 1. Start after 8pm at Passy Métro station. You're going for a night jog along the banks. Cross the Seine and keep a good pace on the left bank until the first bridge after the Tour Eiffel. Cross over again and keep jogging to the Concorde, then the Louvre. Stretch out and relax. Get some drinks from the museum's food court. Cross to the other bank. Jog all the way back, past the Musée d'Orsay and the Assemblée Nationale. This should take you about an hour, a slow-pace 10 kilometer circuit.

Cool 2. Take your date to the Louvre on a night when they have late expos (Tuesdays and Thursdays). The center is opened until 11pm. You'll avoid the lines and the tourists. After you're done, sit out on the stairs by the Cour Carré and gaze at the beautifully tranquil plaza. Shadows of passers by, darkly lit fountains, wind whispering to the pyramids, la magie de Paris operates. If you can't steal a kiss here...

Cool 3. Meet at Place d'Italie on Friday evenings with your blades or quads. You're going to roll around Paris with a few thousand other people, all of that under Police escort. In case you didn't know, this is the capital city of les rollers. Don't forget to pack some drinks and food. A couple of hours through the main avenues, absolutely car free. Take your time, no need to hurry. Back at Place d'Italie have a hearty bowl of Asian noodles.