Nice Monday 8th Sept

 Thursday 6th June Paris continued, last day 

Decided on a quieter day today, checked out of my delightful pink and chartreuse room about 9.30 am, left my suitcase with reception and headed towards Sacre Coeur Basilica, this was a new direction for me, heading away from the city, found myself a little cafe for breakfast, how very Parisienne, but this one had homemade granola, Greek yoghurt with honey and fresh fruit, and to go with that a chai, how exciting!

It was exciting too! Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and banana, and super nutty granola, what a lovely start to the day sitting at the window watching people go to work!

Reluctantly left that wee cafe behind and plodded my way up to Sacre Coeur, (Sacred Heart) 

I can see that I am heading in the right direction as there it is! 

Luckily there are resting stages on the walk up the hill, and lovely views from every stage. 

When I got to the top I noticed there was a funicular going up and down, but was nice to be out in the sun enjoying the view. Because it is a practising church, no fee to get in just a quick look into your bag and in you go! It was built between 1875 and 1914, suggested by the bishop of Nantes who believed everyone was sinning too much since the revolution and of course building a big church would pay for some of their sins. Wasn’t consecrated until after the First World War in 1919. 

Like what they have done with the steps, people have been putting their padlocks along the wire fences on either side, found a special lock just for Jack - turtle!

Then slime ducks were cruising in what may be a fountain, which wasn’t going at the time but the water looked really pretty

Quite a lovely church as churches go, nice Romanesque architecture, with some nice mosaic work.

See who’s looking down at you!

They have one of those continual adoration things going on, day and night since 1885. There was some bell ringing and some singing, so I stayed for most of the service, the Nun had such a wonderful voice and everything sounded lovely in French and with the acoustics - I did hear some Hosannas in excelsius’s, but left when the priests started eating and drinking, didn’t share with the nuns!!

Once outside I sat on the steps and enjoyed the view again before going around to the area where the artists used to hang out, it is extremely touristy with lots of souvenirs and people selling there artistic wares, of some very kitsch scenes of Paris, or you could get your portrait or caricature done! 

Wandered back towards my hotel, saw some lovely food shops, with stunning pastries and tarts, tempting but expensive! also some amazing fruit displays and pretty florists. Would have loved to take some more photos, but hard to get the view and too many people about.

Oh this one is a couple of cats sleeping/sitting in their window box

This was round the corner from my hotel, Folies Bergere

Picked up my bag and walked, ten minutes to my new hotel, just happens to be in a rather lovely arcade, will try some photo’s when I’m back in Paris. Met new group, lots of Kiwis in this group, a few Australians and 3 Americans, not sure if it will be as much fun as last group but early days yet. had a really nice meal in a nice French restaurant and now must to bed as have to be out of here by 8.30 in the morning - looking forward to Giverney, will be interesting how our Normandy portion of the trip will go after the 80th anniversary of D Day landings today, may still be quite busy up that way!