While living in Paris in the late 90's, my classes were split between two universities, the famous
Sorbonne, and the infamous Sorbonne Nouvelle (a.k.a. Paris III, "Censier"). Although the Sorbonne is more well-known, I will tell you that personally, I had a better reception, as well as better educational experience at Censier. Aside from the educational experience, I had a recurring cultural experience that was tied to Censier:
The idée fixe was a theme and variation on arriving and leaving the university. I always arrived at the
Gare d'Austerlitz via
RER C, and took the underground tunnels to the
Jardin des Plantes. I walked into the Jardin's gate, and underneath the tree tunnels, glancing at the roses and other flowers, when the season permitted. I exited the Jardin through a gate next to the
Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and walk past the
mosquée where I sometimes had tea, and pastry. A couple more blocks would take me to the
communist-block-looking university of Censier.
Leaving, I would wind my way through different streets, but always with the goal in mind to visit my favorite street in Paris,
Rue Mouffetard. Rue Mouffetard is a medieval, tortuous and narrow street lined with shops, vendors of seafood, vegetables, a butcher, and about anything else one might imagine. Later, scenes from
Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain would be filmed on Rue Mouffetard. Recall the scene where Amélie returns the box containing childhood memories to
Dominique Bretodeau.
It normally took me about half an hour to walk from end to end. I never became bored with my strolls down the street, and let my French friends know of my obsession with the street. Subsequently, and on no particular occasion, I was given a children's book written by Pierre Gripari, entitled "The Witch of Rue Mouffetard."
It is basically a Hansel and Gretel variation where a girl, Nadia, is kidnapped by the witch of Rue Mouffetard. The witch believes if she eats a young beautiful girl topped with tomato sauce, and having a name beginning with N, she too will become young and beautiful. Nadia is eventually saved by her brother, Bachir. At the time, the book was perfect for my level of French reading comprehension, and a nice break from
Astérix et Obélix.
After watching Jaws as a child, I felt certain there were sharks even in the swimming pools of my state which is a ten hour drive to the nearest ocean. Of course, I knew Jaws was but a story meant to scare. I will tell you dear, small-handful of readership, I have never felt scared, intimidated, or even vexed while strolling Rue Mouffetard after reading the little gem, "The Witch of Rue Mouffetard." I think the street is lovely and relaxing, but then again, according to the story, the witch would have no interest in me: I am a male, and my name does not start with N!
While riding my bike in the area between Champagne and Picardie regions of France, in the department of Aisne, I came across several "ghost villages" with deserted buildings. I also came across this church which is small, and overgrown with tall grass. It was not constructed in the typical Champagne style, more of a Picardie style; However, you have to drive another half hour northwest to start seeing everything constructed from brick, it does not suddenly become so upon crossing the Champagne/Picardie border.
