Montmartre and Sacre Coeur

Today, class was a trip to Le Bon Marche, Paris' fanciest clothing store and across the street, it's fanciest food store. You aren't supposed to take photos inside, so I can't share any of that. Suffice it to say, the grocery store was particularly wonderful. Filled with the best of everything and some ordinary stuff, too (but at extraordinary prices). Bottled water at twice the price? No? How about bottled "BLING" water (the bling on the label is spelled-out with crystals) for almost €60? I did go back the next day and buy a container of fresh orzo & shrimp salad, which I had for dinner, and it was reasonably-priced at €7.50.

Any-hooo, I couldn't let a day go by without walking for several miles and taking photos of interesting things, so my friend, Robert, and I walked (and took the Metro) and walked some more up to Montmartre and the 19th century church, Sacre Coeur.

As the name implies, this part of Paris is on top of a (small) mountain (big hill, really). Back in the day (late 1800s, early 1900s) many artists lived and worked here, since it was a less expensive and bohemian part (suburb, almost) of Paris. You can still see artists on the streets, but many of them are sketching the faces of tourists for a living. The area retains its bohemian charm.

Below: the Basilica Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart), which was built in the late 1800s. When we visited, we were so fortunate that wwe were able to waalk through during Mass. The nuns were singing and it was just beautiful to hear.

The view from in front of Sacre Coeur is really amazing. You can see almost all of Paris in front of you.

The tall, modern, Tour Montparnasse can be seen on the right. My neighborhood, the 15th Arrondissement, is located near the tower (though I cannot see it from the apartment).

Some pretty buildings on Montmartre.

Art in a park.

Saint Jean de Montmartre - built in the late 1800s-early 1900s. We didn't go in, but I really appreciate the archetictural style and thought it was beautiful.

Walking down the hill to the Paris streets below, the Metro stop is very close to the Moulin Rouge, so I had to take a photo. It was around 7pm and was just starting to sprinkle, so the lighting was great. You can get dinner and a show here, but it is an overpriced tourist trap. Still, fun to take a picture.