Guy H.
Yelp
I know! Five Stars you ask? And I give a resounding yes!!! Before I hit the ground in Paris Id done enough research to make me dangerous. You know, the must-see stuff. Well, this one ended up on my list because of some art in the courtyard. It wasn't a must-see but, I bookmarked it so that if I was in the area, it would pop up.
As anyone knows who has visited Paris, there are very few to no public restrooms. So, after I visited the Notre Dame Cathedral and came out, yes, I was looking for a restroom. I noticed on my bookmarks, right across the street was Hopital Hotel Dieu!
Perfect, so we walked across the street entered the front door and it was then I realized it was a functioning hospital. I just kept walking towards the courtyard I could see through the back window. Out the door into the courtyard. Wow, looking up and around you could see the history of this place. Old is an understatement and at that point, I was ready to explore.
I have always been entranced with old institutional buildings. In particular hospitals and mental institutions. It was obvious that this building over the centuries had been used for both. I didn't want to just roam the halls looking for a bathroom so I went towards the coffee shop sign. I felt like I stepped back in time 50-100 years as I entered the small room with a woman making espresso. Wow, couldn't believe my luck, how great the coffee was and...
She didn't speak English so my inquiry as to a restroom elicited directions in French! So, I walked towards the stairs she pointed at that took me to an elevator. The deeper into the building I went the farther back in time I seemed to travel.
I exited the elevator on the second floor. People were walking to their destinations rapidly. Finally, I saw a female doctor and asked her where I might find a restroom. Her look and wave of an arm showed she didn't want me there so I continued my search in the direction of her arm wave. Walking down the hall I was now in a different world. I immediately reminded myself how grateful I am to have the health care system we have. This was by all appearances primitive compared to the United States. Asking a nurse (they still dress in all white with the little hat) she pointed at a small unmarked door. I entered into what seemed a broom closet. I then opened the second door which led to a small Vintage restroom circa 1930. Spotless and with a design Ralph Lauren would be happy with, finally, I found a restroom.
Its amazing what will lead you on a fantastic voyage sometimes. I'm glad Paris doesn't have a lot of public restrooms. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a few more of these types of adventures!