Montmarte, Dali, Rodin, and the Eiffel Tower

After a good breakfast in the hotel, we organized for the day. Looked like it was going to be cool so we wore our warm jackets. Definitely needed them, too. Walked up to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur le Montmartre, high above the city. Lots of steps to get there. Very windy and beautiful view of Paris. We walked into the Basilica while a service was happening. No pictures were allowed and, of course, everyone looking around had to be very quiet. Beautiful place with many statues and stained glass windows, in addition to the attraction of the architecture of the building.

We looked out (and down) on the city, admiring the views. Luckily, there was no rain at the time. Had a good view of the Eiffel Tower, too. We walked through a lovely but touristy square on our way to the Dali exhibition nearby. Interesting pieces on display in an organized setting. It had started to rain hard just as we went in, but by the time we left it stopped. Good timing. After a light lunch of crackers and cheese, we decided to take the Funicular down instead of walking. Quick ride with good views. It would have been better to ride it UP and not walk up so many steps.

Next visit was to the Rodin Museum which houses many of his works in addition to those of students of his and some of his personal paintings and objects. There is a fiberglass copy of The Thinker in the Metro station. Steve was checking it out, and noticed a hole in the leg. At the museum, we saw THE bronze one outside the galleries.

When we left the museum, it started to rain and was very windy. Put on our ponchos over our jackets, which helped a lot. We wanted to go to see Napolean's Tomb, but it was too late in the day. Walked around and through the Invalides building to the church where it's housed.

After stopping to pick up a bread baguette to munch on, we walked to the Champ de Mars park behind the Eiffel Tower. Today was the anniversary of its inauguration in 1889.

I'm sure we'll see it again and I'll take more pictures. Took a couple of buses to lower Montmartre and and walked around, checking it out. Saw the Moulin Rouge and many "related" shops. The area is very touristy. We stopped at a natural foods grocery to get something for dinner to take back to our hotel. We weren't sure where we'd eat so it was easier to buy something to take "home." My college friend (lawyer for Chevron now based in Paris with home in Houston) had called  (I had left a message for him while we were out.), with a message he'd call later. We spoke for quite awhile when he called. Made arrangements to meet tomorrow night for dinner. Haven't seen each other in more than 30 years!


Tomorrow morning...the Louvre...