Dr. Raffus Explores Parnassus

So, that title is probably lost on a lot of you (all 5 who read this blog...hehe), but it's not lost on me. Claude Debussy is one of my favorite composers, so i guess it makes sense I'm in France. Anyway, he composed a set of pieces called the Children's Corner. One of these pieces is called Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum.

Dialog Time!

Reader: What the hell are you talking about, wierdo?

Raf: I'm getting to it.

There are a few "mont" neighborhoods in Paris, and I just went to one of the bigger ones: Montparnasse.


Montparnasse...was previously known to me due to four things:

1. TGV station serving the West/South of France (Catch trains to Bordeaux-Hendaye/Spain here)
2. There's an old restaurant on Blvd Montparnasse nearby the metro station that was either Art Deco or the equivalent of typical large Chicago-ish crabhouse big glitzy interior whatever. As you can tell, this i do not know about. But my mom told me to go there because when she used to be a big shot in Paris, it was the hippest place (...in the 60's and 70's for rich people wanting raw seafood)...
3. Movies. A friend of mine mentioned there were a lot of movie theaters here once.
4. Montparnasse tower, or Tour Montparnasse. Tidbit of trivia - the tower is a skyscraper by French standards, but that's mainly because there are no skyscrapers in central Paris thanks to a law which went into effect right after this uglyass building was erected. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this skyscraper has a whopping 58 floors.

But appaaaarently like two blocks to the left of where i had previously been is this amazing not-so-comparatively touristy area that's PACKED at night. Restaurants mostly, but definitely a fare share of brasseries, bars and cafes. There's a cute winebar somewhere around there...

So soon enough i'll give you specific recommendations, but if you want Japanese food (free lychee dessert, maybe!!), French food - i definitely saw a great place for south/central french food and at least one place touting their cassoulet, OTHER FOOD, or if you just want to explore a new neighborhood bustling with parisianity, check out the Montparnasse a block or two away from Montparnasse.

To get there:
Metro Metro Edgar Quinet, or Metro Montparnasse and walk towards Edgar Quinet.