FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2008

We got an early start today. We were going to go to Montmartre and wanted to do some other things after. We took the métro because we wanted to arrive at the Abbesses station.

Paris métro entrances were designed by the architect Hector Guimard and most are in various states of disappearing due to decay, rebuilding, etc. Most feel that the entrance at Abbesses is the most complete and perfect remaining one. As you can see, it is a lovely piece of art nouveau. From there we walked to the funicular that goes up the hill to the basilica.

The basilica of Sacré Coeur was built in the later part of the 19th century. It was consecrated in 1919. We went in and visited the interior. While we were there the nuns were singing some type of service which was very impressive.

After leaving the basilica, we had a bite to eat. We went to the place du Tertre to see all of the artists who were trying to sell their works. They also tried to get passersby to pose for charcoal sketches.We did not succumb. We walked down the rue Norvins and we arrived at the place Marcel Aymé. He was an author who wrote a short story called Le Passe Muraille. It is about a minor Parisian government worker, Dutilleul, who had the ability to pass through walls unseen. One day while leaving from a passionate encounter, he lost the power. This square is where the author lived and it has been decorated with a sculpture of Dutilleul as he appeared when he lost his power.

We walked down the hill to the area of Pigalle where we took the bus to the Etoile. The sight of the

Arc de Triomphe never ceases to amaze me.

After the Arc, we went back home this time taking the RER from the Etoile to the Gare de Lyon. It is only three stops and much quicker than the métro or the bus.

This evening we went to one of our favorites, le Mâchon d'Henri, which is located 1 1/2 blocks from St. Sulpice. (Sorry, they have no web site). The food there is based on Lyon cooking. and is very good, very simple, and not expensive. It is small, with only about a dozen or so tables, with stone walls and beams in the ceiling. We took the 63 bus back to the Gare de Lyon and hence to our own abodes.