Paris, the Secret History, a Study in Lust and Violence

Packed and in the morning I head to JFK to fly to Paris, perfect in September. I have been reading the most fascinating book about the city named Paris- the Secret History, by Andrew Hussey. I love the way the book covers the long history of this city. It has details and stories that really delve deep into just what makes the city tick. The people of Paris have always had their own mind set, very different. One of my favorite spots in Paris is the colonnaded Place des Vosege built in 1605 under Henri IV to build the city back up from Catholic vs. Protestant troubles. Today it is the perfect place to sit at a café and listen to buskers. Henri had a vast sexual appetite as many Parisians still have the reputation for today. It is said that Parisians were amazed that a king who smelled like a dirty goat could get so much action. The Place des Vosege though a fashionable address became the scene of duels as well a prostitution hotspot, many luminaries made it their home. In those days many other French cities were hesitant to let hot blooded Parisians enter their well run cities least some sort of trouble arise.