DAY 3 Monday
I always enjoy visiting new places when in Paris and make it a point to search for those lesser-known treasures that I missed the visit before. And then there are the places that I love to visit over and over again. Ok, that could really be anything in Paris, but Montmartre is one of those places for me. While touristy in some parts there is so much to be discovered!
We stopped this morning at a little crepe stand just at the footsteps of Sacre Coeur. It was a sugar and butter crepe for mom and ham and cheese for me. We were able to bypass “the boys” (you know they guys that stop the tourists and make them bracelets) on our way to the funicular. I am traveling with mom here and must spare her poor little legs and feet whenever possible. We stopped for a while and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city, pointing out the buildings and monuments in the distance. My mom loved the cobblestone, narrow streets. We wondered in and out of tiny shops. Sat at the sidewalk cafes and watched the people passing by. Spent some time walking around La Place du Tertre looking at the artists and their work. After lunch we continued down the way and stopped at the Moulin de Galette.
We really had a nice walk through quieter streets of Montmartre. I have been to Pere Lachaise on a number of occasions and was really looking forward to visiting the cemetery of Montmartre for the first time. My mom was quite fascinated there as well. As I was searching for the specific names I wanted to find, we would find ourselves stopped in front a grandiose family plots. You can’t help but wonder what their story was and who they were. Checking engravings to find out how far back some of them dated. I didn’t want to run my mom all over in search of names. So, we found some up close: Emile Zola’s bust (his remains were moved to the Pantheon), Stendhal, and Berlioz. Then mom rested on a bench while I hurried off to find Alexander Dumas and Edgar Degas (I made sure to get them on camera so she could see them later on).
On to the final stop in the area…and luckily for us, well mostly our feet, it was just around the corner. We stopped in front of the Moulin Rouge for some snapshots. We still had lots of daylight, but had already covered a lot of ground! We hopped on the metro over to Notre Dame. Stopped on Point Zero and looked over the façade. Explained to mom about the three portals and the Kings of Judah and then went in and caught the end of mass. The tourists are easy to pick out in Notre Dame during mass—aside from obvious reasons of cameras and clothes…it’s the people sitting and staring at the ceiling or the windows. Guilty! But can you blame us? Upon exit of the church the bells began ringing! Ah, the bells of Notre Dame. Pretty spectacular.
I knew that once we got back to the hotel mom would be in for the night. So, I gave her a little peak into the Latin Quarter (Disneyland of restaurants). We stopped in a favorite of mine from when I was a student...”Le Gyro” ok…so not French, but I am still amazed that I enjoy the gyros more in Paris rather than in Athens—and the food in Athens is great!
DAY 4 coming!
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I too loved the tiny back streets of Montmartre. I had a great time there as well. Did you eat at the Moulin de Galette? Keep you reports coming...makes me want to go back soon.
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RPL67--
had we not just eaten we would have loved to. Leaves something for next time!
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Am really enjoying your reports. Our trip is now only 1 month away. It will be our first time in Paris. Can%26#39;t wait!
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I%26#39;m really enjoying your trip reports. I leave next Saturday for my first trip to Paris!
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