Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The church has had a tumultuous history. In 512 AD Saint Germain, who would later become bishop of Paris, convinced the Merovingian king Childebert to build an abbey with a church. The church, which held important relics, was dedicated to Saint Vincent and the holy cross. It was one of the most important churches in France, and the final resting place of the Merovingian kings. Its roof was gold painted, which led to the name 'Saint-Germain-le-Doré' (gilded Saint Germain).
                                                                                         

• the church--l'église
• chocolates--les chocolats
• bookstores--les librairies
• pastry shops--les pâtisseries
• crosswalks--les passages pour piétons

                                                                                         
Cheese Soufflé

                                                                                         
french lemon tart

                                                                                         
I hear music.--J'entends de la musique.                                                                                                  I listened to music.--J'ai écouté la musique.
                                                                                                  

The Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) is a very historical and diverse Paris neighborhood in the heart of the city. Located on what was once the Roman village of Lutetia, the Latin Quarter is filled with historical curiosities, some dating back to the 1st century. It has also historically been the university area, and even today, students gather in the Latin Quarter for a great night out. Enjoy! Parisianist.
                                                                  

• shops--les boutiques
• nightclubs--les boîtes de nuit
• food--la nourriture
• cobblestones--les pavés
• narrow streets--les rues étroites

                                                                  
Boudin Noir Aux Pommes

                                                                  
french apple pie

                                                                  
I hear dishes.--J'entends des plats.
                                                                  
I ate at a restaurant.--J'ai mangé à un restaurant.
                                                                  

Catacombs

The Catacombs, which form a veritable labyrinth beneath the very heart of Paris, were created in the galleries of the former quarries whose stone was used to build the capital. Situated twenty metres below ground, the ossuary contains the remains of millions of Parisians, transferred there gradually between the late eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries as graveyards were being closed because of the risk they posed to public health. The first of these was the cimetière des Innocents graveyard in 1786 in what is now the district of Les Halle. In the long maze of dark galleries and narrow passages, visitors can see a tableau of death with bones arranged in a macabre display of high Romantic taste. The alexandrine verse "Arrête, c'est ici l'empire de la mort" [Halt, this is the realm of Death ] above the entrance to the ossuary is just one of an extensive series of maxims, poems and other sacred and profane passages giving pause for thought during the tour. This unusual site movingly brings the history of the Parisian people back to life and takes visitors on a timeless journey.
                                                                                    

• bones--les os
• skulls--les crânes
• tunnels--les tunnels
• patterns--les motifs
• drawings on the walls--les dessins sur les murs

                                                                                    
Hachis Parmentier

                                                                                    
gâteau au yaourt













                                                                                    
I hear ghosts talking.--J'entends parler des fantômes.
                                                                                    
I walked down the tunnels.--J'ai marché dans le tunnel.
                                                                                    

Place de la Concorde

In 1763, a large statue of king Louis XV was erected at this site to celebrate the recovery of the king after a serious illness. The square surrounding the statue was created later, in 1772, by the architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel. It was known as the place Louis XV. In 1792, during the French revolution, the statue was replaced by a another, large statue, called 'Liberté' (freedom) and the square was called Place de la Révolution. A guillotine was installed at the center of the square and in a time span of only a couple of years, 1119 people were beheaded here. Amongst them many famous people like revolutionary Robespierre, just to name a few. After the revolution the square was renamed several times until 1830, when it was given the current name 'Place de la Concorde'.

                                                                                

• the obelisk--l'obélisque
• Egyptian writing--l'écriture egyptien'
• buses--les bus
• the square--la place
• water--l'eau

                                                                                
sole meunière

                                                                                
Gâteau Basque

                                                                                
I hear screaming.--J'entends crier.
                                                                                
I played in the fountain.--J'ai joué dans la fontaine.