Pigalle is known throughout Paris as being one of those neighborhoods you might want to steer clear of, especially after dark, unless of course you are looking to get into some trouble. And by trouble, I mean that the streets are lined with cheap restaurants, strip clubs, and not so discreet shops displaying some "interesting" looking merchandise. Home of the notorious cabaret, the Moulin Rouge, this street has been made famous throughout the world by numerous artists like Toulouse-Lautrec who used local dancers and prostitutes as his models. I first heard about the area before moving to Paris, while reading Anais Nin and Henry Miller, two authors famous for the erotic and autobiographical nature of their novels that included many late-night shenanigans in seedy local clubs and cheap hotel rooms. Feeling brave, a friend and I wandered through this risqué neighborhood the other night and found, not surprisingly, that a lot has changed since the 1920's. The authentic grunge has become quite commercial, with raunchy signs and attractions all aimed at luring in tourists and curious passers by. While we decided to pass on the prostitute that cast some furtive glances our way, we did browse through the
Musée de l'érotisme (the Erotic Museum) where they also give a student discount! I will spare you the details of this interesting establishment but I did find myself giggling quite a few times as we mounted the floors that take you from the ancient past (think statues and pottery from Mexico and India) to more modern displays of affection including this hilarious album cover that I had to snap a picture of. If only all Christmases could be that fun. Absinthe, Pigalle, I think Spring is really getting to me. But, not to worry, tonight I plan on attending a midnight mass at a local Russian Orthodox church, where the fun is certain to be more PG ;)
Pigalle is known throughout Paris as being one of those neighborhoods you might want to steer clear of, especially after dark, unless of course you are looking to get into some trouble. And by trouble, I mean that the streets are lined with cheap restaurants, strip clubs, and not so discreet shops displaying some "interesting" looking merchandise. Home of the notorious cabaret, the Moulin Rouge, this street has been made famous throughout the world by numerous artists like Toulouse-Lautrec who used local dancers and prostitutes as his models. I first heard about the area before moving to Paris, while reading Anais Nin and Henry Miller, two authors famous for the erotic and autobiographical nature of their novels that included many late-night shenanigans in seedy local clubs and cheap hotel rooms. Feeling brave, a friend and I wandered through this risqué neighborhood the other night and found, not surprisingly, that a lot has changed since the 1920's. The authentic grunge has become quite commercial, with raunchy signs and attractions all aimed at luring in tourists and curious passers by. While we decided to pass on the prostitute that cast some furtive glances our way, we did browse through the Musée de l'érotisme (the Erotic Museum) where they also give a student discount! I will spare you the details of this interesting establishment but I did find myself giggling quite a few times as we mounted the floors that take you from the ancient past (think statues and pottery from Mexico and India) to more modern displays of affection including this hilarious album cover that I had to snap a picture of. If only all Christmases could be that fun. Absinthe, Pigalle, I think Spring is really getting to me. But, not to worry, tonight I plan on attending a midnight mass at a local Russian Orthodox church, where the fun is certain to be more PG ;) 
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