Panethon & Rue de la Mouffetard

A friend recommended that I sit on the steps of the Pantheon in Paris. I was a little skeptical because the only Pantheon that I've known has been in Rome, but I headed over to see it anyway. It sits next to the Luxembourg gardens (Jardin de Luxembourg) and the University de Sarbonne (premier French university). The building looks extremely similar to the Pantheon in Rome, except that it is a little bigger. Inside, it is decorated like a church, with stained glass and large painted murals. Underneath the Pantheon is the crypts of famous French writers, war heroes, etc. This was my favorite part because the tunnels in the crypt were a little spooky. After I visited the inside, I sat on the front steps and watched drivers speed by and Parisians enjoy the sun. It was a lovely place for a...crepe!

As it was time for lunch, I headed behind the Pantheon to Rue de la Mouffetard, which ironically used to lead directly from Paris to Rome. I stopped at a famous crepe stand (Chez Nicos, I think- recommended by Lonely Planet! travel guide). I was supposed to order, according to Lonely Planet!, a eggplant, feta, spinach crepe. But instead, I stuck with cheese, chicken, mushroom, and tomato. Then I continued down the winding road towards the market shops. Most of the food shops extend there shops into the street and stand and sell products from there. La Mouff' (french slang) is known for it's cheese shops (les fromageries) so I stopped and picked up chevre and a specialty bleu cheese. Then I continued down to the chocolate shop for 3 ganaches; citron, cannelle (cinnamon), and poire (pear). I also picked up a baguette and brioche croisse (imagine a brioche sugar pretzel) and pears for dinner with my 2 friends. La Mouff' has a ton of restaurants and bars so I am sure that I will be back there again, and possibly off to Rome!