another day outdoors

so on the next day- the good weather was holding- actually it was getting warmer!

we decided a quick trip up to Montmartre for a walk and lunch and then a subway ride over to Notre Dame (850 year old Notre Dame) - all teeming with tourists of course because it IS - April in Paris! We have frequently come here in late February and early March and I would vote to return to that schedule as things are much less tourist infested and while the weather can be iffy it can also be very nice- one year the cherry blossoms were blooming early March!

and- even if the weather isn't wonderful - your time in the museums will be greatly enhanced by the smaller crowds... except for the Mona Lisa - which is a complete joke- you can never get near it and everyone has their cell phones up trying to get a shot of her... you would think it was Madonna or something- LOL

so off we went on the Metro - our transportation of choice in both NYC and Paris- and we got off at Abesses so we could take the funicular up to Sacre Coeur (we have never had to stand in line before!) but I am getting ahead of the photos - so let's go there...

OK none of these photos was actually taken on the way over to Montmartre but they do illustrate the metro system we used... our first stop was the small park right across from the metro stop-

in the park is an oft photographed mural of many language expressions of love:

including the one from AMESLAN- (don't know if I spelled that correctly)

then we headed to the church behind the metro exit - all made of poured concrete-

then we headed down the slope to the funicular-

at least there was entertainment while you waited- unfortunately they were only running one of the two cars so things went slowly-

 

Sacre Coeur was mobbed of course and so we headed right to the Place du Tertre-

 



we stopped for a soda - thirsty but not wanting to eat in this area - too mobbed!

then some photos of the souvenirs available for those in need of a place to spend their money-

decisions decisions decisions---

we headed down the hills and into the heart of the non-tourist neighborhood for lunch- so I will post my last photos of tourist Montmartre and then the next post will start with real neighborhood photos and on to Notre Dame-

dinner with acquaintances

Phil knew this guy from the Folk Stage audience of donors named David and it turned out that David and his partner Sue were going to be in Paris the same time we were.  They rented an apartment for several weeks. He had worked there more than fifteen years ago but had actually lived in the Paris metro area for 8 years back then...

we met for a drink and then took the bus over to the place we had chosen for dinner- somewhere floating around is a photo of David and Phil at the bus stop but I wasn't privy to it - LOL so I have not posted - but here is the stop info - LOL and the card for the restaurant we went to- along with a photo taken at the corner where the restaurant is located- you can see it is well situated for a night time shot of the iconic Paris landmark-

and to save a little time-  I will mention here that two nights later we had the best meal of our trip along this same street at Au Bon Accueil- a place to seek out- fabulous food and cordial service - right down the street in the above two photos!
 

I would say this one is a "don't miss" - so make a note of the address and number- it is small and you must reserve for dinner...

paris shop windows

when we go to Paris we spend a large amount of time just walking around the neighborhoods... there are always things to see - and as I mentioned before the shop windows are always set "just so" - which means absolutely perfectly but also is a great way to describe the phenomena of "just so" you feel compelled to come in!

after we left al dente we walked along Rue du Bac back toward the Blvd Raspail where our hotel was located and we passed a couple of classic Paris shops- a shop that sold chocolate mousse by the cup from four large bowls in the window to choose your flavor (in the style of picking ice cream at an ice cream shop)

boxes of chocolates in the shape of the Eiffel Tower - would make a fabulous gift if you could ever get them home without eating them- LOL- then below the neighborhood butcher (one of the favorites in all of Paris apparently according to the awards on the door)

when was the last time you saw six KINDS of chicken to choose from in preparing your meals at home???

then on to a kids clothing store window where these little dolls were a hot item for the toddlers -

a store for socks - for the whole family - socks socks and more socks...

next door down- a jewelery store-

across the street a eyeglass store with very fashionable specs on offer-

and on the floors above the shops - apartments - enter through the oak door with the lion door knocker (detail shown) - he was quite majestic!

for many many more shop window photos

you can visit my highlights on the Wanderlist - "Just Paris" at AFAR.com (an interactive travel website:

http://www.afar.com/travelers/victoria-sterling/wanderlists/just-paris#./just-paris?&_suid=13679566561690421765418915246

have fun window shopping!

or for lots more Paris photos go to my travel photo website and page through the photobooks Paris 10 and Paris 08 -  (sorry - you will need adobe flash player for these so no viewing on iPads)

http://victoriasterlingspics.shutterfly.com/3759

http://victoriasterlingspics.shutterfly.com/917