Paris, Melun - 09/(10-18)/08

First night's light dinner. The Rocamadour Fermier smelled up the fridge.

2008-11-02T01:41:25Z

Afra
First night's light dinner. The Rocamadour Fermier smelled up the fridge.

View from the apartment's balcony, looking down rue de Rennes

2008-11-03T01:37:35Z

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View from the apartment's balcony, looking down rue de Rennes

The building across the street, with a hotel on either side.

2008-11-08T03:45:58Z

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The building across the street, with a hotel on either side.

View toward Tour Montparnasse, the skyscraper. You can see a bit of it on the right (the dark gray building). Check out the smiley on the side of the building on the left.

2008-11-08T03:46:23Z

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View toward Tour Montparnasse, the skyscraper. You can see a bit of it on the right (the dark gray building). Check out the smiley on the side of the building on the left.

Pei's Pyramid at the Louvre.

2008-11-02T02:19:21Z

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Pei's Pyramid at the Louvre.

To line up the tips, you need to stand where the door is.

2008-11-02T01:43:28Z

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To line up the tips, you need to stand where the door is.

Evidence that I was, in fact, inside the Louvre.

2008-11-02T02:19:32Z

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Evidence that I was, in fact, inside the Louvre.

On the pont des Arts...

2008-11-08T03:48:30Z

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On the pont des Arts...

Afra's photo

2008-11-08T03:48:56Z

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National School of Fine Arts.

2008-11-08T03:49:13Z

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National School of Fine Arts.

Walking back from the Louvre, we went to Ladurée on rue Bonaparte Ladurée Bonaparte, where I bought multicolored macarons (not macaroons) as a gift for Laure's mom.

2008-11-08T03:49:31Z

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Walking back from the Louvre, we went to Ladurée on rue Bonaparte Ladurée Bonaparte, where I bought multicolored macarons (not macaroons) as a gift for Laure's mom.

We took the train to visit Laure's parents in Melun. Here is old man Glaçon, the nearly 17 year old Bichon Frise, who rules the Marcellesi household.

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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We took the train to visit Laure's parents in Melun. Here is old man Glaçon, the nearly 17 year old Bichon Frise, who rules the Marcellesi household.

Glaçon makes himself comfortable

2008-11-02T01:43:42Z

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Glaçon makes himself comfortable

Dinner started with Chablis, in a Chablis glass, with Gruyère gougères.

2008-11-02T01:41:26Z

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Dinner started with Chablis, in a Chablis glass, with Gruyère gougères.

These snails were not as lucky as their German counterpart. They were pulled out, cooked, stuffed back in, and topped with an oil-based parsley sauce. This was the first time I ate them ou ...

2008-11-02T02:20:38Z

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These snails were not as lucky as their German counterpart. They were pulled out, cooked, stuffed back in, and topped with an oil-based parsley sauce. This was the first time I ate them ou ...

Melun is in the Brie producing region of France. We ate three Bries from Meaux, Nangis, and Montereau, the first two being AOC. Interestingly enough, Laure's mom vetoed the one from Melun ...

2008-11-02T01:41:26Z

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Melun is in the Brie producing region of France. We ate three Bries from Meaux, Nangis, and Montereau, the first two being AOC. Interestingly enough, Laure's mom vetoed the one from Melun ...

The macarons are on the left. Laure's mom decided they were all hers after tasting one.

2008-11-02T02:21:02Z

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The macarons are on the left. Laure's mom decided they were all hers after tasting one.

Outside Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Maincy

2008-11-02T01:41:27Z

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Outside Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Maincy

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:44:26Z

Afra

The wall in the distance seems very near to the pool, but between them is the hidden grand canal.

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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The wall in the distance seems very near to the pool, but between them is the hidden grand canal.

The gardens were designed by Lenôtre who went on to design Versailles gardens and in many castles around Europe.

2008-11-08T03:51:20Z

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The gardens were designed by Lenôtre who went on to design Versailles gardens and in many castles around Europe.

Detail from the wall

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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Detail from the wall

Look back at the palace

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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Look back at the palace

Most pools were filled with fat and voracious carp.

2008-12-07T07:18:52Z

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Most pools were filled with fat and voracious carp.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:44:46Z

Afra

Here, we are walking around the grand canal. The chestnut trees seemed to be sick, as all the leaves were dry. It turns out 'white' chestnut trees in and around Paris are suffering from a pa ...

2008-12-07T07:19:15Z

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Here, we are walking around the grand canal. The chestnut trees seemed to be sick, as all the leaves were dry. It turns out 'white' chestnut trees in and around Paris are suffering from a pa ...

Chestnuts

2008-11-02T02:21:43Z

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Chestnuts

Geese.

2008-11-08T03:59:45Z

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Geese.

Here is where the river comes into the canal (from the left, facing away from the palace.)

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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Here is where the river comes into the canal (from the left, facing away from the palace.)

The river pours into the Grand Canal from underneath the walkway.

2008-11-02T02:23:24Z

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The river pours into the Grand Canal from underneath the walkway.

Here, you can see the canal below. The short distance to the other side of the canal is actually much longer, as you have to walk around the canal. This is a good example of having multipl ...

2008-11-02T02:41:19Z

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Here, you can see the canal below. The short distance to the other side of the canal is actually much longer, as you have to walk around the canal. This is a good example of having multipl ...

Hercules in the distance.

2008-11-02T01:45:05Z

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Hercules in the distance.

Walking to meet Hercules

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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Walking to meet Hercules

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:45:05Z

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Comfort and style. (REI style)

2008-11-02T02:50:58Z

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Comfort and style. (REI style)

Inside the dome, I liked the construction diagrams.

2008-11-02T02:51:28Z

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Inside the dome, I liked the construction diagrams.

By getting the palace declared a national heritage site, the owners have managed to keep it private, while raising money to restore it. The left was unrestored...

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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By getting the palace declared a national heritage site, the owners have managed to keep it private, while raising money to restore it. The left was unrestored...

while the right is restored. This is our ticket Euros at work.

2008-11-02T02:51:43Z

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while the right is restored. This is our ticket Euros at work.

We also visited another castle near Maincy. A medieval castle in the town of Blandy-les-Tours.

2008-11-08T04:00:29Z

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We also visited another castle near Maincy. A medieval castle in the town of Blandy-les-Tours.

There was a wedding in progress.

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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There was a wedding in progress.

Afra's photo

2008-11-01T10:12:50Z

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Melun with quinine-based bitters from Corsica.

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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Melun with quinine-based bitters from Corsica.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:27Z

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Laure posing with a picture from when she was 17 and was a model for a friend who was studying to become a make-up artist. Amazingly, the photo was nearly life-sized, which inspired me to t ...

2008-11-08T04:02:50Z

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Laure posing with a picture from when she was 17 and was a model for a friend who was studying to become a make-up artist. Amazingly, the photo was nearly life-sized, which inspired me to t ...

Back in Paris at the Père-Lachaise cemetary. I'm not one for taking pictures with or of gravestones. I took this one to remember the name (Sa'edi was a contemporary Iranian author. I rea ...

2008-11-03T01:40:31Z

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Back in Paris at the Père-Lachaise cemetary. I'm not one for taking pictures with or of gravestones. I took this one to remember the name (Sa'edi was a contemporary Iranian author. I rea ...

I did want to see Hedayat's grave, which was in a special non-Christian section that was hard to find. The dots over the T in his last name form the eyes of the blind owl, a reference to hi ...

2008-11-02T02:32:29Z

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I did want to see Hedayat's grave, which was in a special non-Christian section that was hard to find. The dots over the T in his last name form the eyes of the blind owl, a reference to hi ...

Art, like nature, breaks through the pavement in Saint-Germain des Prés.

2008-11-08T04:03:23Z

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Art, like nature, breaks through the pavement in Saint-Germain des Prés.

The two maggots (I have to amuse myself), where Sartre and de Beauvoir would eat breakfast and chat with Hemingway.

2008-11-02T01:41:28Z

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The two maggots (I have to amuse myself), where Sartre and de Beauvoir would eat breakfast and chat with Hemingway.

A quick visit of Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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A quick visit of Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:45:22Z

Afra

Our day in Versailles started horribly due to lack of planning. We nearly drowned in the sea of tourists. We were also subjected to Jeff Koon's inane "art."

2008-11-02T02:26:56Z

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Our day in Versailles started horribly due to lack of planning. We nearly drowned in the sea of tourists. We were also subjected to Jeff Koon's inane "art."

Yes, I am wearing Teva's with socks in the Versailles palace. I am pretending to be a German tourist.

2008-11-02T02:27:21Z

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Yes, I am wearing Teva's with socks in the Versailles palace. I am pretending to be a German tourist.

The massive rectangular region in the distance is Louis XIV's grand canal, which is much grander than Fouquet's. You can rent boats and row on it.

2008-11-02T02:27:59Z

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The massive rectangular region in the distance is Louis XIV's grand canal, which is much grander than Fouquet's. You can rent boats and row on it.

The newly renovated "Galerie des Glaces" and the hords of tourists who threaten the palace's fragile floors.

2008-11-08T04:06:28Z

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The newly renovated "Galerie des Glaces" and the hords of tourists who threaten the palace's fragile floors.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:28Z

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Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:28Z

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I thought the palace itself was rather small, compared to other palaces. Laure became defensive at this comment and called me jaded.

2008-11-02T02:33:29Z

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I thought the palace itself was rather small, compared to other palaces. Laure became defensive at this comment and called me jaded.

The gardens, however, are something completely different.

2008-11-02T02:29:15Z

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The gardens, however, are something completely different.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:29Z

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Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:29Z

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It's hard to capture the massive size of the gardens. It reminded me of my failures at the Grand Canyon.

2008-11-02T01:43:12Z

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It's hard to capture the massive size of the gardens. It reminded me of my failures at the Grand Canyon.

Inside the Grand Trianon, where Louis XIV would meet his mistress Mme de Montespan. Also a favorite of Napoleon's between 1805 and 1815,

2008-11-08T04:27:56Z

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Inside the Grand Trianon, where Louis XIV would meet his mistress Mme de Montespan. Also a favorite of Napoleon's between 1805 and 1815,

The gardens of the Grand Trianon.

2008-11-08T04:28:13Z

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The gardens of the Grand Trianon.

Marie-Antoinette's estate: le petit Trianon and the surrounding gardens.

2008-11-08T04:30:34Z

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Marie-Antoinette's estate: le petit Trianon and the surrounding gardens.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:29Z

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Walking to the hamlet.

2008-11-02T02:06:56Z

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Walking to the hamlet.

The queen's hamlet, which was like a hobbit's village. It still has a working farm, a vineyard, and vegetable gardens.

2008-11-08T04:31:55Z

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The queen's hamlet, which was like a hobbit's village. It still has a working farm, a vineyard, and vegetable gardens.

It was by far the most magical place.

2008-11-02T02:07:24Z

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It was by far the most magical place.

Marie-Antoinette liked to retreat here from Versailles and pretend she was a shepherdess.

2008-11-08T04:33:55Z

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Marie-Antoinette liked to retreat here from Versailles and pretend she was a shepherdess.

A heron and swans in the distance.

2008-11-08T04:34:36Z

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A heron and swans in the distance.

More carp.

2008-11-09T01:51:38Z

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More carp.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:30Z

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Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:30Z

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We had some grapes from Marie-Antoinette's estate.

2008-11-08T04:35:00Z

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We had some grapes from Marie-Antoinette's estate.

They still make wine from this vineyard.

2008-11-08T04:35:18Z

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They still make wine from this vineyard.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:30Z

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At the rocks. Artificial rocks and caves adorn the garden.

2008-11-08T04:36:00Z

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At the rocks. Artificial rocks and caves adorn the garden.

We missed, by a couple of minutes, getting into the Petit Trianon. I took this picture walking back.

2008-11-02T01:43:13Z

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We missed, by a couple of minutes, getting into the Petit Trianon. I took this picture walking back.

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:30Z

Afra

The essence of France. And the title of a very famous French movie.

2008-11-09T01:49:29Z

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The essence of France. And the title of a very famous French movie.

It was much more peaceful without the tourists.

2008-11-02T01:43:13Z

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It was much more peaceful without the tourists.

The "Orangerie", where exotic trees (such as orange trees) are carted out during the summer and placed inside during the winter. It was being fitted out for a fancy reception.

2008-11-08T04:47:15Z

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The "Orangerie", where exotic trees (such as orange trees) are carted out during the summer and placed inside during the winter. It was being fitted out for a fancy reception.

Laure, the gate, the crown, the palace, and the chapel behind, the tallest building in the palace. A toutes les gloires de la France!

2008-11-02T02:10:44Z

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Laure, the gate, the crown, the palace, and the chapel behind, the tallest building in the palace. A toutes les gloires de la France!

We stumbed on this art-piece walking back to the train station. Inside was a gallery.

2008-11-02T01:43:13Z

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We stumbed on this art-piece walking back to the train station. Inside was a gallery.

Lunch at La Coupole, where we'd also had dinner the night before (raw oysters, clams, sea snails, it was like breathing in the ocean.) The statue in the center was massive, but amazingly se ...

2008-11-02T02:11:49Z

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Lunch at La Coupole, where we'd also had dinner the night before (raw oysters, clams, sea snails, it was like breathing in the ocean.) The statue in the center was massive, but amazingly se ...

Mr. Mohssen Baghadoust, my dad's childhood friend, who drove and took the train just to see me. We spent the last day with him.

2008-11-02T02:02:42Z

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Mr. Mohssen Baghadoust, my dad's childhood friend, who drove and took the train just to see me. We spent the last day with him.

This guy serves the lamb curry dish, a vestige from its history.

2008-11-02T02:06:33Z

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This guy serves the lamb curry dish, a vestige from its history.

Duck foie gras with figs.

2008-11-08T04:47:39Z

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Duck foie gras with figs.

Beef cheeks. Now, that's a hearty lunch (I also had dessert).

2008-11-02T22:51:30Z

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Beef cheeks. Now, that's a hearty lunch (I also had dessert).

Last night's dinner.

2008-11-02T02:12:37Z

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Last night's dinner.

At Montparnasse cemetary. Charles Baudelaire's grave. He had no money when he died so he is buried in his stepfather's grave. The tombstones of many personalities (Gainsbourg, Sartre, Beauv ...

2008-11-09T01:50:04Z

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At Montparnasse cemetary. Charles Baudelaire's grave. He had no money when he died so he is buried in his stepfather's grave. The tombstones of many personalities (Gainsbourg, Sartre, Beauv ...

The grave site of Henri Poincaré's family.

2008-11-02T01:44:54Z

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The grave site of Henri Poincaré's family.

As one of the founders of topology, Poincaré doesn't even get his own grave! Just goes to show you.

2008-11-02T02:01:13Z

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As one of the founders of topology, Poincaré doesn't even get his own grave! Just goes to show you.

A whimsical grave with no name.

2008-11-02T01:45:33Z

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A whimsical grave with no name.

At Jardin du Luxembourg

2008-11-02T01:46:14Z

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At Jardin du Luxembourg

Afra's photo

2008-11-02T01:41:30Z

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Luxembourg Palace, which houses the French Senate. If you're a boy (or a girl!), nothing beats renting a sailboat and harassing the ducks with it.

2008-11-08T04:53:07Z

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Luxembourg Palace, which houses the French Senate. If you're a boy (or a girl!), nothing beats renting a sailboat and harassing the ducks with it.

Near the Sorbonne, at the entrance of the Musée de Cluny, dedicated to the Middle Ages. This is a sort of hazing of the incoming class of the preparatory class to the prestigious Ecole des ...

2008-12-29T04:30:14Z

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Near the Sorbonne, at the entrance of the Musée de Cluny, dedicated to the Middle Ages. This is a sort of hazing of the incoming class of the preparatory class to the prestigious Ecole des ...

Laure augured insomnia, depression, anti-anxiety drugs, and attempted suicides for these happy youths.

2008-11-03T07:03:34Z

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Laure augured insomnia, depression, anti-anxiety drugs, and attempted suicides for these happy youths.

The slutty abbess is a key personality in the event. Laure was not impressed by the dress. Her best friend from college was a much better abbess in 1996. Those were the times...

2008-11-08T04:57:35Z

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The slutty abbess is a key personality in the event. Laure was not impressed by the dress. Her best friend from college was a much better abbess in 1996. Those were the times...