Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Tuesday 26th July
EASY DAY!! Well that’s what we had hoped for. Up early and breakfast and off out the door to get the Metro to Notre Dame – to beat the queues. We got to St Michel Metro and just as well we were not counting steps as we were able to get two escalators up to the street – cheating. We walked across the bridge to Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral is on the Isle de la Cite, which is one of the two islands in the Seine. Notre Dame looms large in front of you as you come across the bridge – it is truly magnificent.
The queues were not at all and with Jane rushing ahead we were sure to get pole position. Notre Dame was started in 1163 and it took until the early 14th century to complete. It actually took the place of St Stephen Church which dated back to the 5th century. The vault of the transcript rises 33 metres and rest on broken arches. I marvel at these buildings and the tradesmen that built them. Having read recently Ken Follet’s – “Pillars of the Earth” I can only but marvel at the craftsmanship of the masons and builders of so long ago. The Rose Windows, and there are two of them, - they are two great circular windows that are beautiful and are numbered amongst the masterpieces of Christian Art. They are 13 metres in diameter. Below these windows are 84 stained glass panels that are depicting prophets, evangelists, signs of the zodiac and characters from the Old Testament. Around the church there are several statues and bronzes a couple of which were donated to the church by Napoleon III. I thought that the statue of Joan d’Arc was particularly good.
Outside, after we had been around the church a couple of times we met up with these two young gendarmes – of couse the ladies had to have their photos taken with these “two cute guys”. We got the Metro up towards Montmatre. We were looking for the shop were had seen last week sometime to get a new sim card for Jannies phone – we managed to buy one and the assistant went on line for us and registered the card. We are 95% sure that it will work but won’t be surprised if it doesn’t. New phone number is +33 7 61 16 22 70.
Coffee time, and we went to a Brassierie that we had been to previously – coffee was good once again. We sat and chatted and eventually got up and walked a few streets up Montmartre. Jannie and I had been up there last week before Jane and Paul arrived but we were happy to go again. Today’s temperature was in the mid 20’s but there was a mist down over Paris and the view wasn’t as good as previously. We climbed the steps to Sacre Coeur and wandered amongst all of the artists that were painting and we particularly enjoyed those that were drawing tourists. Some were excellent. Found a place for lunch and 4 beers and 3 Croque Madames and 1 Croque Monsieur. These are cheese toasted sandwiches and the Madames have an egg plopped on top and are accompanied by a salad. Delicious!!
We wandered in and out of all the shops and purchased a few things – Paul bought a little Eiffel Tower to go with his Leaning Tower that he bought last time we were in Europe. Jane wasn’t amused! We walked all of the way down the steps and streets to catch the Hop On Hop Off Bus as our tickets were still good to go. The route that we were on took us to Opera or Palais Garnier. The Palais Garnier is the 13th building to house the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV in 1669. This one was built on the orders of Napoleon III. Building work only took 15 years on this one. The Palais was inaugurated in 1885.
The Grand Staircase is one of the most famous features of the Palais and is simply stunning. There are chandeliers everywhere. Built in marble of different colours, the double stairways lead to the foyers and different levels of the auditorium. The huge foyers are decorated in the richest colours and gold is everywhere. The Grand Staircase is 30 metres high and the Grand Foyer is 54 metres long and 18 metres high. The magnificent painted ceilings depict scenes of the history of music and they are great. Sheer opulence is what got Louis and Marie-Antoinette killed and here was Napoleon building in the same vein?
Out of here and it was one train on the Metro to Grande Boulevarde station. We purchased more wine and wended our way home for a rest. Although we did have a less active day than yesterday it was still sore feet, ankles and knees.
Out for dinner we went at 8.00pm and found a restaurant by consensus. Dinner meals that we have had have been so -so and pretty much mass produced. Lots of garlic on most meals but the wine is great.
Tomorrow is a MU
CH easier day – going for a bike ride to Giverny to Monet’s Garden.
- comments
Stu Kev and Paul are looking smart in their uniforms. You make sure you take it easy Jane. :-)
Marie Looking forward to the Giverny post! (not that I didn't enjoy this one : )