We live in a very eclectic neighbourhood. This time I want to talk about the area north and west of us — the area away from the Seine. This explains its strong resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe. The route into Paris through Porte Saint Denis was the way for Royals and victorious armies to enter when returning from the north. It was also the route that led people from Paris north to the Abbey of Saint Denis where French royalty were buried. One evening, during our early days in Paris, Gary and I were walking home from the theatre and decided we should change up our route a bit.
The street seemed fairly well lit and we could see people walking in both directions so…down we went. Yes there were lights on the street but in between those lights were the shadows of doorways and, in those shadows, I realized were prostitutes.
I now know that, historically, this is one of the main areas for the sex trade in Paris. To that end, the prostitutes on Saint Denis are out in force pretty well all day, every day. They balance on stilettos or platform heels either alone or huddled together in small groups smoking, talking and presumably waiting for their johns. Most look as though their best years are well behind them.
In fact, quite a few look older than me! There are rarely any gendarmes in sight. Here are some of my early attempts:. On closer inspection, Rue Saint Denis seems to be in the early stages of gentrification. Small boutiques and trendy restaurants now dot the street as neighbours to the sex shops and seedy looking bars.
Store owners stand in the doorways encouraging passers-by to come in for a look while elegantly dressed women in fur or cashmere stroll casually past the prostitutes whose bodies are squeezed into leather mini skirts, prominently exposed silicone breasts protruding.
