Not being extremely athletic or gluttons for punishment, we decided against hiking up the mountain to get to the basilica. Instead, we took the funicular up the mountain. Rebecca thought it was very cool and wasn't scared at all.
Sacre Cour really does look like clouds, and I like how it was designed so that with every rain, it actually gets whiter, rather than dirtier!
Rebecca used the steps of the basilica as her own personal fashion runway.
Of course, there could also be found dozens of people hawking their souvenirs. Apparently, the Eiffel Tower is the only souvenir worth attempting to foist onto tourist, because they're everywhere. These people are selling them for anywhere from 6 for 1E up to 2E each, and you can find the same ones not only at the Eiffel Tower but also at Notre Dame and Sacre Cour!
As I have mentioned, I love cathedrals. I was the only one of my family who wanted to actually tour the basilica, so I headed inside while they enjoyed the view and a snack from the outside. Unlike many of the other cathedrals that are tourist attractions, Sacre Cour Basilica does not allow photographs inside the basilica and also forbids tours while mass is going on. They demand complete respect while inside the place of worship. The inside of the basilica was also beautiful - it carried the mosaics of the Byzintine style inside also. As a bit of history for those who don't know - the Franco-Prussian war was not going well for France. Parisians were in great despair, and it became popular to lament about how God had forsaken them. In a show of faith, Sacre Cour was built to demonstrate their faith and they promised to maintain prayer and worship there forever. And so they have. The basilica is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and they have this huge sign marking how they have lived their faith.
The view of Paris from the steps of the basilica was stunning as well.
Just steps from the basilica is Place du Tertre, where many artisits hang out and sell their works. Many also are painting or sketching while they are there, and there is no shortage of people trying to get you to sit for them so they can paint or draw you or your child. We bought a couple of watercolors while we were there, and they are lovely. We might have been convinced to shell out for a painting of Rebecca, but we knew she wouldn't sit still that long!
After we'd browsed the art, we grabbed a bite at one of the many cute little outdoor cafes.
In Montmartre, Ramy finally tried the famous French bouillabaise. However, he decided that he liked my fish stew better. Awwww! (He got points for that).
Being full, we browsed in the cute little eclectic shops for awhile. Then we grabbed the Montmartre train and took it into Pigalle. This is definitely the red light district of Paris! Although it's home to the famed Moulin Rouge, it's far more known for its seedy sex shops and whorehouses now. We didn't spend much time here, because its also a hotbed of crime (and really, how many sex shops were we going to visit with my mom and our 3-year old in tow?).
The funniest moment of the whole trip occurred here though. Across the street from the Moulin Rouge was this huge air return. Kids (and adults too) were all up on top of the grate, enjoying the air stream. Rebecca hopped up to be part of the action. Of course, since she had on a dress, her dress flew up in total Marilyn Monroe smile. My mom ended up snapping a pic before I grabbed her off, and as it turns out, the Moulin Rouge is in the background. She looks like a total showgirl! We decided that we'll keep that pic for her future husband.
Sacre Cour really does look like clouds, and I like how it was designed so that with every rain, it actually gets whiter, rather than dirtier!
Rebecca used the steps of the basilica as her own personal fashion runway.
Of course, there could also be found dozens of people hawking their souvenirs. Apparently, the Eiffel Tower is the only souvenir worth attempting to foist onto tourist, because they're everywhere. These people are selling them for anywhere from 6 for 1E up to 2E each, and you can find the same ones not only at the Eiffel Tower but also at Notre Dame and Sacre Cour!
As I have mentioned, I love cathedrals. I was the only one of my family who wanted to actually tour the basilica, so I headed inside while they enjoyed the view and a snack from the outside. Unlike many of the other cathedrals that are tourist attractions, Sacre Cour Basilica does not allow photographs inside the basilica and also forbids tours while mass is going on. They demand complete respect while inside the place of worship. The inside of the basilica was also beautiful - it carried the mosaics of the Byzintine style inside also. As a bit of history for those who don't know - the Franco-Prussian war was not going well for France. Parisians were in great despair, and it became popular to lament about how God had forsaken them. In a show of faith, Sacre Cour was built to demonstrate their faith and they promised to maintain prayer and worship there forever. And so they have. The basilica is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and they have this huge sign marking how they have lived their faith.
The view of Paris from the steps of the basilica was stunning as well.
Just steps from the basilica is Place du Tertre, where many artisits hang out and sell their works. Many also are painting or sketching while they are there, and there is no shortage of people trying to get you to sit for them so they can paint or draw you or your child. We bought a couple of watercolors while we were there, and they are lovely. We might have been convinced to shell out for a painting of Rebecca, but we knew she wouldn't sit still that long!
After we'd browsed the art, we grabbed a bite at one of the many cute little outdoor cafes.
In Montmartre, Ramy finally tried the famous French bouillabaise. However, he decided that he liked my fish stew better. Awwww! (He got points for that).
Being full, we browsed in the cute little eclectic shops for awhile. Then we grabbed the Montmartre train and took it into Pigalle. This is definitely the red light district of Paris! Although it's home to the famed Moulin Rouge, it's far more known for its seedy sex shops and whorehouses now. We didn't spend much time here, because its also a hotbed of crime (and really, how many sex shops were we going to visit with my mom and our 3-year old in tow?).
The funniest moment of the whole trip occurred here though. Across the street from the Moulin Rouge was this huge air return. Kids (and adults too) were all up on top of the grate, enjoying the air stream. Rebecca hopped up to be part of the action. Of course, since she had on a dress, her dress flew up in total Marilyn Monroe smile. My mom ended up snapping a pic before I grabbed her off, and as it turns out, the Moulin Rouge is in the background. She looks like a total showgirl! We decided that we'll keep that pic for her future husband.
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