The next day, we decided to climb to the tallest heights in Paris to view the city.
We made our way by Metro to Montmartre, exited, wound our way up a busy narrow street and when we cleared it, were greeted by this:
Sacre Coeur!
So we took our picture with it.
After that, we climbed the stairs...
And were greeted by this guy. Posing as a statue. He liked my scarf.
Then we turned for the most amazing panoramas of Paris.
We started out in the Catacombs.
The Pieta by Jules Coutan
There were several important archbishops buried in the Crypt. Well, at least bits of their bones were interred in beautiful wooden vignettes for you to see. Out of respect, I didn't photo them for you. It just seemed wrong somehow. But here's the giant statue of one of them.
There were lovely surprises behind every turn.
The church is a beautiful one, but cannot compare to the grandeur of Sainte Chappelle.
So we made our way to see what we came to Sacre Coeur to see! We mounted the tiny spiral staircase. Up and up and up until we could finally get satisfaction.
Not even close to the summit. We climbed. Past the downspouts.
And the roof tops.
Higher. And higher. Until this:
In every direction, the city of Paris!
And this. This saint stomping on an alligator. Still have no idea.
Not a dragon. An alligator. Huh?
Finally, drunk on the views and altitude sickness, we started the descent.
Or rather the ascent to the descent.
At long last, we made our way out to the many Christmas Markets that spring up at the base of every tourist site in the city. But they can't be compared to our Christmas markets. Oh, no.
Unless yours have caviar, champagne and fresh oysters. Yes. This is the caviar vendor. As you do. We walked around back where the nuns stay.
And on around to a little garden across the street from Sacre Coeur.
And back to the front to head for the Metro.
We thought we'd head over to Pere Lachaise to visit Oscar Wilde, Colette and Jim Morrison.
