It is fascinating but I am finding the section on Paris the most difficult to write mainly because it is difficult to know whether to write about the history, the people or the scenery. So we went to Montmartre to visit Sacré Cœur and walk around the area. The basilica is on the highest point in Paris so there are great views of the city. The church itself is magnificent because it is constructed of white stone that does not weather like some others. By European standards it is quite new as it was started in 1875 and completed in 1914. It is not as ornate or luxurious as many other churches in Europe but well worth a visit just for the panorama and the surrounding area. What makes the area interesting is that it has been a nightclub area and artist colony for about 150 years being home at various times to people like van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Picasso and of course, Toulouse-Lautrec. Some of the artists in the square just near the church are very good. The restaurants and houses are also worth a look. Pigalle, at the foot of Montmartre, is one of the old red-light districts of Paris as well as the home of the Moulin Rouge and Follies Bergere.
Paris is a walking city and where better to start than at Montmartre as it is downhill from there
. So where did we walk to, the shops of course. It is sale time in Paris which to Sue and Rebecca means bargains but to me means the prices have been put up so they can be reduced!!!.There are two department stores in Paris, Printemps and Galleries Lafayette which are right next to each other with an absolutely amazing range of items especially men's and women’s fashion. Galleries Lafayette is also famous for its colourful glass leadlight dome roof, and its Paris street and Metro maps which are an essential item here in Paris. One innovation which we were not aware of previously is that you can now also get maps at all the underground stations – there are a number of different ones but ask for the one with the blue front, "Paris avec Rues".
It is also difficult to visit all the museums in Paris but Musee d'Orsay is a must every visit. This is a converted rail station which probably has the greatest Impressionist collection in the World. I have used the word before but it is “overwhelming” to see so many Matisse, van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, Bonnard, the list goes on and on, in one place. This is only part of the collection as there are also complete recreated art nouveau rooms and other famous artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and Millet.
The other photos in this part are of our wanders which are described in the text next to the photos.
Our Adventures in Paris Continue
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Other Entries
-
13Further Afield from Milano – Bergamo
May 1265 days priorMilan, Italyphoto_camera19videocam 1comment 0 -
14Lake Como
May 1661 days priorMilan, Italyphoto_camera45videocam 1comment 4 -
15Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino
May 1859 days priorMilan, Italyphoto_camera16videocam 1comment 0 -
16More about Milan
May 1958 days priorMilan, Italyphoto_camera45videocam 2comment 0 -
17Milan – Final Impressions
May 2354 days priorMilan, Italyphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 3 -
18Lake Maggiore – Stresa and Surrounds
May 2849 days priorStresa, Italyphoto_camera38videocam 2comment 0 -
19Areas Surrounding Lake Maggiore
Jun 0145 days priorGeneva, Switzerlandphoto_camera24videocam 0comment 1 -
20Geneva and Other Places Nearby
Jun 0244 days priorGeneva, Switzerlandphoto_camera42videocam 0comment 3 -
21Nice and Côte d'Azur
Jun 0640 days priorNice, Francephoto_camera21videocam 2comment 0 -
22Vence and The Hills Above Nice
Jun 0937 days priorNice, Francephoto_camera52videocam 0comment 1 -
23St Maxime, St Tropez and Cannes
Jun 1234 days priorSaint-Maxine, Francephoto_camera31videocam 1comment 0 -
24St Didier and Provence.
Jun 1531 days priorSaint-Didier, Francephoto_camera26videocam 0comment 0 -
25Beaune and Wine Country
Jun 1828 days priorBeaune, Francephoto_camera45videocam 0comment 3 -
26Loire Valley and the Many Chateaux
Jun 2323 days priorOuchamps, Francephoto_camera48videocam 1comment 2 -
27Bais and Our Stay in a Chateau
Jun 2719 days priorFougeres, Francephoto_camera46videocam 1comment 2 -
28Meandering Towards Paris
Jun 3016 days priorChandelles, Francephoto_camera26videocam 0comment 2 -
29Paris – Our First Week
Jul 106 days priorParis, Francephoto_camera25videocam 0comment 5 -
30Our Adventures in Paris Continue
Jul 16Paris, Francephoto_camera28videocam 0comment 1 -
31Bastille Day in Paris, July 14th, 2013
Jul 16later that dayParis, Francephoto_camera14videocam 2comment 0 -
32More from Paris
Jul 193 days laterParis, Francephoto_camera48videocam 0comment 2 -
33Days Of Discovery - Reims, Epernay and St Denis
Jul 2913 days laterParis, Francephoto_camera44videocam 3comment 1 -
34Tour de France and Our Last Days in Paris
Jul 3014 days laterParis, Francephoto_camera26videocam 2comment 1 -
35Chicago – A City of Two Faces
Aug 0520 days laterChicago, United Statesphoto_camera45videocam 1comment 1 -
36The Surprise.
Aug 0520 days laterChicago, United Statesphoto_camera22videocam 0comment 1
2023-06-10