Paris Sampler-Day 3

Monday morning we took the metro over to Montmartre to see the beautiful basilique du Sacré Cœur (Sacred Heart). Montmartre is the highest point in all of Paris at 130 meters above sea level, and the basilica is at the top of the hill.  This meant nearly 300 stairs just to get to the church.   

Mom and Nolan took the funicular instead.

You are not allowed to take photographs inside, but there are plenty of images on the internet.  Like this  picture of the beautiful mosaic.  Nolan was quick to point out Jesus on the ceiling. He also loved the "flower" (stained glass) windows.

Outside there were vendors, and we bought a souvenir alphabet train that spells "Nolan."

And we browsed through artist's work in the Place du Tertre.

We passed by a chocolate and pastry shop on our way back. Since Easter was a week away, all the stores had these beautiful chocolate chickens and eggs.

Waiting for the metro to come. Nolan loved watching the trains. (I think there must have been one coming/going when we took this picture.  His eyes are rather focused.)

Our excursion to Montmartre took the whole morning, and when we got back we were ready for lunch.  Dad decided it was time for McDonalds.  This was actually Nolan's first time for McDonalds (ever), and he liked it well enough. It's tastes the same as it does in the US.

After lunch we put Nolan down for a nap, and while the grandparents relaxed in the apartment, Justin, Jacob and I sampled Paris.

First stop: Notre Dame

We hoped to climbed to the top and see the gargoyles up close, but the line was too long! We didn't have an extra two hours to wait in line, unfortunately.

Then on our way to another cathedral, we stopped by the Conciergerie because there was no line and it was included in our Paris Museum Pass. The Conciergerie used to be the royal palace and was turned into a prison.  It housed several prisoners, including Marie Antoinette, during the French Revolution right before they were executed.

The beautiful Hall of Guards.   

A replica of Marie Antoinette's cell (her actual cell was turned into a memorial chapel)

and the preparatory prison cell.

It was worth the 20 minutes we spent (it wasn't very large). And it was a good stop for us, especially since we read up on the French Revolution before our trip.

Our next stop was Saint Chapelle--a medieval Gothic chapel known for its stained glass windows.

I loved the bright, bold patterns in the lower chapel, but unfortunately they've turned this level into a gift shop. It didn't have quite the same feel as I was expecting for a chapel.

We took the stairs to the upper chapel with all the beautiful stained glass.

The chapel was finished in 1248 and since a lot has happened since then, they are working on restoring and cleaning the stained glass. They were working behind the curtain and the glass to the left of the curtain has not been cleaned yet.

Here's a detailed shot of the dirty windows.  They don't let in quite the same light as the clean ones.

Lots of stairs going back down.

Next Stop: The Louvre

If you look closely in the picture above, there is a long line coming out of the glass pyramid (it's cut off, but it's long; and with our pass we didn't have to wait!).  Inside there were SO many people--I had never been to such a crowded museum. And the security guards herd you around like cattle. (Although to be fair, this is the world's most visited museum with nearly 30,000 people visiting every day!)

Among the many pieces of art, we were able to see some famous statues...

Notice Justin's photobomb?

...and a very famous lady. Justin worked himself up to the front of the crowd.  I gave up.

The building and architecture was as impressive as, if not more than, the statues and paintings. 

Chevron hardwood again.

Justin is a Dan Brown fan, and this pyramid has some importance in his "Da Vinci Code." 

Justin had to take a picture in this special spot...

...and Jacob and I tried our best to hold up the pyramid and keep it from crashing down.

In front of the Louvre are the Tuileries Gardens. 

We strolled down the gravel walk way to the Place de la Concorde. (The square where they chopped off everyone's head during the revolution--so romantic.) Behind the obelisk you can see the Arc de Triomphe, and to the left you can see the Grand Palais (with the flag).

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We walked back home along the Seine and couldn't help but notice these bridges covered in locks. A couple will write their names on the lock, attach it to the bridge, and throw the key into the river signifying their undying love.

Our little little apartment is down the alley (left picture) and on the right is the view from the street outside our apartment.  We were right in the middle of Paris!

After dinner at an Irish Pub, we finished off our day with a 

trip to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame lit up at night.