Hanging out in the funky little apartment
Unfortunately for Paul and I, the time we had in Paris was not really very warm or great weather. The three full days we were there it was cloudy and rainy and hovering around 10 or 12 degrees Celsius but we made the best of it. After our day covering most of the touristy stuff, the next day, we started it off with a good run for both of us. Then realizing that Versailles was going to be closed, we kiboshed that plan and just headed out to check out some of the less touristy areas of Paris.
I think this one was Porte Auguste but I could be wrong - I know the one beside was St. Denis.
As such, this took us to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur. This gave us an amazing point from which to view the city. Montmartre was also a pretty cool area with narrow streets, markets and lots of artists.
Sacre Coeur and the narrow streets of Montmartre
The downfall of our timing in Paris, is because it was the Easter weekend, we had to deal with crowds but then also, we were there Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Well much of Paris was closed on Sunday and Monday, and then of course the debacle of Versailles on Tuesday.
Phew - now that's a lot of steps
I didn’t really figure out Paris either, or for that matter France, for it’s timing for when things are open and when you can eat. One thing about Europe is that people like to eat late. This hasn’t really worked well so far for Paul and I as we start off so early in the morning and go most of the day that we want to eat dinner at about 5 pm. Well few places if any start serving dinner before 7:30 or 8 so as such we end up eating at lesser establishments or instead just grab a baguette, olives, cheese, ham etc… and graze. This makes it hard to see how much you are eating too.
Hotel des Invalides - this is Bonepart's Tombe
However, we had a lovely little apartment and it was great to hang out there, drink some wine, nibble some food and for the most part get an early night for bed. After walking much of the day, you are pretty beat and wanting to sleep.
Paul just hanging about
However, Paul and I found some pretty neat places and lots of neat details around Paris. I know people say it is the most beautiful city, and it certainly does have a lot of history and interesting buildings, but I am not sure if I consider it the most beautiful. However, I will say, that with our funky little apartment, despite the cold rainy weather and the crowds, it still was a great visit.
Louvre
And now, Barcelona!
Paris from Butte Chaumont Park - that's Sacre Coeur on the hill
I’m happy for you that you had such good company in Paul. It looks like the two of you had a lot of fun.
I just have one question: did you and Paul climb those stairs all the way to the top??
You got it – we climbed every last one of them!