Memory and Art from above to below

Your route ends at Denfert-Rochereau... as all routes? The place was originally named "Hell's Square" - place d'Enfer, but this scary name was turned into "Denfert-Rochereau", a colonel who resisted the Germans in Belfort in 1870. His resistance is personified by the Belfort's Lion (Lion de Belfort) at the middle of the square. It's a scale model from the original sculpture that Bartholdi did for Belfort town.

A few steps away on boulevard Raspail, the Cartier Foundation (Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain) supports and shows contemporary visual artists of the whole world. All types of art can be on display, from photography to paintings, video or sculpture. Even if you don't want to see the current exhibition, check the aerial glass and steel building and the falsely savage gardens: the Lebanon cedar was planted by French writer Chateaubriand in 1823.

South of the square on avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, you'll find the entrance of the Catacombs. Walking 20 meters below the ground through the galleries which used to be the Tombe Issoire quarries is a powerful experience. This labyrinth of 1500 meters length is filled with the bones and skulls gathered from several Parisian churchyards, closed for Health reasons in 1786. Sure, the visit is not for the faint-hearted!

When leaving the underground, go to rue Daguerre, a commercial and pedestrian road which was filmed by the French film maker Agnès Varda. The Zango will welcome you for a Sunday brunch or for a mezze at any time, butyou may prefer the tapas and zakuskis and the colourful cocktails. Another good address on the same street is the Plan b: this local bistro offers a nice terrace, a good traditional cuisine and fine wines.

After your lunch, take a breath and walk around. Close to Denfert-Rochereau, by avenue Général Leclerc, visit the alleyways of Villa Adrienne, Villa Louvat or Villa Hallé. They're little green heavens.