Day 13: Friday, August 18 (Paris)

A little museumed out by this point, we spent the morning up at Sacre-Coeur and the neighborhood of Montmartre. Sacre-Coeur is only 130 years old (a Byzantine-looking basilica), but boasts some of the most amazing views of all of Paris.




Nearby is the Church of St. Pierre-de-Montmartre:

We wandered around town to find Place du Tertre. This is bohemian Montmartre and the plaza is lined with cafes and street artists. It has been the town square since medieval times. We ate crepes and admired the watercolors.


We walked along the backside of the Montmarte which was tourist free and lovely. Totally residential and filled with the historical homes and studios of famous artists (including Picasso and van Gogh). We decided that when we retire and move to Paris for a year, this is where we will live:



The infamous Lapin Agile Cabaret and the only vineyards in Paris (Clos Montmartre Vineyards):


The Moulin Rouge (Ooh la la!) and the less famous Moulin de la Galette:


And the stretch of street called Pigalle (or 'Pig Alley') which now has a whole lotta sex shops:

We went back to the Marais and had a late lunch at the lovely Ma Bourgogne right on the Place Des Vosges (a great park/square). Even sitting next to some snotty Americans who wanted the waiter to accept their American Express traveler's checks (in dollars), couldn't put a damper on our wine, lovely salmon appetizer and salad nicoise.


And the main event: BVZ's steak tartare and my cooked pork.


I am certain he now has mad cow.


Dessert was creme brulee and Berthillion ice cream:


BVZ digested his raw cow in a park while I did some shopping. That was until the rain started coming down and we reluctantly went inside....

After packing back at the apartment for a while, we braved the rain and went down to the Rue Cleur, a famous street full of produce, meats, cheeses and sweets (plus a million other things) to collect our dinner for our last night in Paris.