Paris 3rd October
Breakfast in the hotel, glad to find that I could have my cornflakes, along with the banquettes etc.
We decided that the best way to see everything was from L’Opentour bus, which ran four different circuits around Paris, which you could jump on and off of when ever you wanted at the various stops.
Many photo opportunities and we saw all the tourist attractions, The Grande Boulevards, Palais-Royal, Musee du Louvre, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, Saint-Michel, Musee d’Orsay etc etc and of course the Tour Eiffel. Bought three toasted panini’s with drinks and sat in the park to enjoy with all the birds and some local down and outs. Changed buses with the only problem being having to wait for nearly an hour for a different bus on another route, enjoying a moan and a chat with all the other tourists also waiting. It was worth it though and the weather was reasonably good for us to be on the open top until 6pm when we had to get off as they finished for the day.
So we set off to walk up to Sacre Coeur the basilica we could see from our hotel room. Up through the narrow streets, shops seeling all kinds of fabrics, bolts of it displayed outside on the pavements and in the stocked out rooms inside. Beatrice and Marisa loved it, thinking of all the things they could make. Unfortunately they were both at their baggage limit. Many steps up to the top walking on through Montmartre to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, passing a great street entertainer playing his guitar which gave us a breather as we stopped to listen. Of course by this time Marisa was already at the top! We opened the door, and in doing so we entered another world. We have visited many churches and cathedrals on our trips around France but this was indeed something that made the hairs on your neck stand up. Sitting in the choir pews were about 10 nuns who at first glance I thought were cardboard cut outs as they were so still, just looking at the alter. Then the most uplifting sound echoed throughout the huge expanse of this historical place of worship as they sang their daily evening vespers. We alongside the hundreds of visitors inside were spell bound and listened in absolute silence. It was hard to leave, as we wanted to walk back to the hotel whilst it was still daylight. Looking at the map I took it upon myself to lead the way back, unfortunately it took us through perhaps you could say some of the more seedier part of Paris. But make it back we did, safe and sound and having walked for quite a few more kilometres than I thought we were up for. Tired and hungry we had a short rest before returning to our corner restaurant and our happy waiter who greeted us like old friends. Needless to say another busy day, which ensured us that we would, all sleep quite soundly.
Which we did.
Breakfast in the hotel, glad to find that I could have my cornflakes, along with the banquettes etc.
We decided that the best way to see everything was from L’Opentour bus, which ran four different circuits around Paris, which you could jump on and off of when ever you wanted at the various stops.
Many photo opportunities and we saw all the tourist attractions, The Grande Boulevards, Palais-Royal, Musee du Louvre, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, Saint-Michel, Musee d’Orsay etc etc and of course the Tour Eiffel. Bought three toasted panini’s with drinks and sat in the park to enjoy with all the birds and some local down and outs. Changed buses with the only problem being having to wait for nearly an hour for a different bus on another route, enjoying a moan and a chat with all the other tourists also waiting. It was worth it though and the weather was reasonably good for us to be on the open top until 6pm when we had to get off as they finished for the day.
So we set off to walk up to Sacre Coeur the basilica we could see from our hotel room. Up through the narrow streets, shops seeling all kinds of fabrics, bolts of it displayed outside on the pavements and in the stocked out rooms inside. Beatrice and Marisa loved it, thinking of all the things they could make. Unfortunately they were both at their baggage limit. Many steps up to the top walking on through Montmartre to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, passing a great street entertainer playing his guitar which gave us a breather as we stopped to listen. Of course by this time Marisa was already at the top! We opened the door, and in doing so we entered another world. We have visited many churches and cathedrals on our trips around France but this was indeed something that made the hairs on your neck stand up. Sitting in the choir pews were about 10 nuns who at first glance I thought were cardboard cut outs as they were so still, just looking at the alter. Then the most uplifting sound echoed throughout the huge expanse of this historical place of worship as they sang their daily evening vespers. We alongside the hundreds of visitors inside were spell bound and listened in absolute silence. It was hard to leave, as we wanted to walk back to the hotel whilst it was still daylight. Looking at the map I took it upon myself to lead the way back, unfortunately it took us through perhaps you could say some of the more seedier part of Paris. But make it back we did, safe and sound and having walked for quite a few more kilometres than I thought we were up for. Tired and hungry we had a short rest before returning to our corner restaurant and our happy waiter who greeted us like old friends. Needless to say another busy day, which ensured us that we would, all sleep quite soundly.
Which we did.
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