My Paris, my paradise

“Whaaat? Going to two cabarets in one night?” they shriek. Yes! Why  shouldn’t I? I am footloose and devouring the city of my dreams. And this is the world’s most famous cabaret since 1889, immortalised by my most favourite artist Henri Toulouse Lautrec.

Actually, Moulin Rouge is much more than a cabaret. It’s exuberance dressed in coloured feathers, rhinestones and sequins. Gorgeous women (14 nationalities) with endless legs flounce all over the glamorous stage but there are also amazing acrobats, jugglers, magicians, live snakes, geese, doves and ponies (you read that right). After two hours of a spirit lifting experience (a half bottle of champagne is part of the ticket of Euro 99)  and closer to midnight I head to Crazy Horse for the opposite kind of experience.

It could only happen in Paris that new wave, new realism, pop art, brilliant choreography, set and lighting merge to create a fabulously sophisticated and intellectual show with only nude women dancing on stage. Pamela Anderson has also performed in this 58-year-old Crazy Horse.

Paris is raunchy, Paris is elegant. Paris satiates all appetites.  I’ve soared up  the slim silhoutte of the Eiffel tower in a
private glass lift, to  Chef Alain Ducasse’s amazing restaurant for a memorable French meal. My must visits include as much the Michelin starred temples of gastronomy  as  the charming brasseries and cafes. An absolute must visit is the Maison Truffe for the crazily addictive  scrambled eggs with truffles.

I could go on and on about the  sheer magic of strolling the streets, of devouring the food markets, but I’d like to end with three divine experiences — my sensuous once-in-a-life-time chocolate massage at the legendary George V. My regular visits to the Musee du Orsay (home of the impressionist artists). And each trip I kneel in the magnificent Madeleine church where orchestras play  Vivaldi and  Mozart. Here, I always whisper a prayer of gratitude to God for bringing me to Paris. Again and Again.

P.S. After  judging the ‘World’s best woman chef’ contest, I take the quickest most delicious way back to London, (the Eurostar) to taste the historic meal created by chefs Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon.  The worlds two most famous chefs. Fabuleux!
Fabuleuse!