Wednesday was Jeannie, Jerry, and Amanda's last day in Paris so we had to make the most of it. We headed across the river to see the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. Amanda and I decided to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to check out the views (especially since I never made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower). Jeannie and Jerry didn't come with us because Jeannie is not a fan a heights, but she did ask us to make sure we got some photos of the crazy traffic around the Arc. The staircase up was disorienting and gave me a little bit of motion sickness, but the view was definitely worth it!
Arc de Triomphe staircase
View down the Champs Elysees
Arc de Triomphe
Laduree
After finishing up at the Arc de Triomphe we explored the many shops on the Champs Elysees. At that point we were ready for lunch and began searching for a place that wouldn't totally break the bank. We ended up picking Laduree, one of the oldest patisseries in Paris. It is in a beautiful old building (with no air conditioning on the second floor). The food was decent, but definitely overpriced, and the service was horrible. I think it was our waiters first day. We didn't dare order dessert for fear we would be waiting another couple hours. Luckily they have a little shop on the first floor where you can purchase some of the amazing macarons and pastries.
The next stop was a place that Jeannie and Jerry had been to years before, Willie's Wine Bar. Willi's is located near the Opera district and is known for the posters that they have commission from various artists every year. After ordering some wine we walked around the bar and checked out the many posters decorating the walls. We rounded out our evening at a local pub for some dinner and then Amanda and I had to get a crepe down the street. All in all it was a great few days in Paris with my awesome relatives!
The adorable Amanda
Last evening with Jeannie and Jerry
Yummy
The next morning after everyone headed to the airport I went for a run. After the beautiful morning run I contemplated what I wanted to do with my solo day in Paris. I am a huge fan of the movie Amelie and came across this great website with information on visiting the filming locations of the movie. Much of the movie was filmed in Montmartre, an area of Paris I wanted to see, so I knew that was going to be my mission for the day.
I caught the train to the Anvers station and headed straight up to Basilique du Sacre Coeur. I got there shortly after it opened, but there were already a lot of tourists and school groups. Luckily I had been warned by Amanda that there were really pushy guys out front trying to tie strings around tourist's wrists as a "tribute to the church" but all they really wanted was for you to give them money. It was quite a hike up the stairs to the beautiful church. The inside was wonderful but you weren't allowed to take pictures (although a lot of people still did). There were a couple of gift shops but one in particular sold some really colorful crosses so I bought one for mom.
Cafe used for Amelie
After the Sacre Coeur I walked through the Place du Tertre and by the Moulin de la Galette. I then continued down the Rue Lepic to an area of Montmartre with mostly locals roaming the streets. The cafe where Amelie takes place, Cafe des 2 Moulins, was in this area on Rue Lepic. Being the fan, I am I wanted to get a photo inside the cafe. Just as I took the photo one of the guys working behind the counter gave me a look like "another stupid tourist taking a photo" and made me feel guilty so I figured why not stop and have a cappuccino. It was the most elaborate production I have ever seen for making the drink. First he foamed the milk, the he put it in the fridge for a bit, after that he poured the espresso shot through the foam. He then finished it off with a dusting of powdered chocolate. It was definitely an experience worth waiting for. Before leaving I decided to use the facilities and was rewarded with an Amelie shrine in a closet of sorts near the bathroom.
Inside Cafe des 2 Moulins
Amelie closet shrine
The tour ended at the Moulin Rouge and one of the cool entrances to the Metro.
I didn't see Nicole Kidman or Ewan McGregor
Blanche Station
From there I finished my day off at the Marche Bastille, one of Paris' largest street markets. The market is only on Thursday and Sunday and stretches between Bastille and Richard Lenoir metro stations. They had all kinds of foods and textiles available in the many stalls. My final stop of the day was the Sainte Chapelle. Part of the church was closed, but what I did see was beautiful. If you love stained glass, this is a must see.
I caught the train to the Anvers station and headed straight up to Basilique du Sacre Coeur. I got there shortly after it opened, but there were already a lot of tourists and school groups. Luckily I had been warned by Amanda that there were really pushy guys out front trying to tie strings around tourist's wrists as a "tribute to the church" but all they really wanted was for you to give them money. It was quite a hike up the stairs to the beautiful church. The inside was wonderful but you weren't allowed to take pictures (although a lot of people still did). There were a couple of gift shops but one in particular sold some really colorful crosses so I bought one for mom.
From there I finished my day off at the Marche Bastille, one of Paris' largest street markets. The market is only on Thursday and Sunday and stretches between Bastille and Richard Lenoir metro stations. They had all kinds of foods and textiles available in the many stalls. My final stop of the day was the Sainte Chapelle. Part of the church was closed, but what I did see was beautiful. If you love stained glass, this is a must see.
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