Au Revoir Paris

As we sit in the Orly Airport waiting to board our plane home, we can take a moment to reflect on fond memories of Paris.

We will miss the very efficient transportation system. The subways were on time and very fast  though sometimes over crowded.

The museum of natural history was amazing.

Sitting on the banks of the river Seine, feeling like a local.

Eating at local cafes watching the crowds go by.

The food - baguettes, crepes, fromage, chocolat, croissant, cafe...c'est magnifique!

The art - old masters to impressionists to modern artists - to be in the same room with such great works was thrilling.

The history lesson around every corner.  Occasions marked by monuments, statues, churches and cathedrals

Au revoir Paris!

Shining Light

The brilliant white Basilica of Sacre Cœur shines brightly in the midday sun and because of its bright white construction it remains as a beacon on foggy and rainy days for Parisians and tourists alike. Consecrated in 1919, this Basilica rests at the top of 225 stairs.  The view of Paris is well worth the climb, but the opportunity to celebrate Sunday Mass here was divine.

   

Taste of Paris

Un Planches des Fromage

Les Sorbets

Les Pâtisseries 

Des Baguettes

Bon Appetit!

Who Really Lives Here?

Among our many stops on the Discover Walks tour of Montmartre, was this apartment complex.  To disguise the identities of the people who live here, this is the listing of residents. 

Montmartre

On a hill in the northern part of Paris lies the area known as Montmartre.  It is believed that the name is derived from ‘Mount des Martyrs’, as this is hill is associated with the beheading of St. Denis.  Because it was originally outside of Paris, it was attractive to those who wanted the advantage of Parisian life without the Parisian price. On the left you see the old Paris and on the right the Moulin Rouge, a landmark of Montmartre. Home to artists, performers and sex workers, Montmartre has a rich history and an even more lively history of its inhabitants.

Among those who one called Montmartre home were Parisian actress Dalida, painter Vincent Van Gogh and painter Pierre August Renoir.

 The Coquelicot, a restaurant known for feeding starving artists for the price of a painting, once counted Vincent Van Gogh among its patrons.  He lived with his brother Theo in an apartment with one bed, which they took turns to sleep on.

Pierre August Renoir’s Dance at the Moulin de La Galette was painted here.

And who is Dalida? She was a Parisian performer who’s love life was less than glamourous.  Before her untimely death in 1987 at age 54, she had lost four lovers to suicide. Apparently those who visit the last place she lived, as we did, would be cursed with her woes.  Fortunately our tour guide also showed us how to ‘uncurse’ ourselves.