Paris Week 3 - 7/17, a Departure, Sacre Coeur, Monmartre, and Pigalle

Early rising today so we can get Doug and Joan to the Gare du Nord for their high speed train through the Chunnel (Channel Tunnel) to London.  There were very few people on the trains for the trip from La Pecq to the Paris North station - this was good since they did have suitcases this time. 

Hint to travelers:  Do not arrive in or depart from Paris at either the morning or afternoon rush hours and expect a seat on the Metros.  Be prepared to be mashed into the train cars and have to balance luggage and be pushed as people enter and leave the trains.  And in summer, it is hot and stuffy in the subway.

Anyway, D&J got to the station in plenty of time and we left them in the line for their train and headed over to Sacre Coeur.  The weather had started out sunny and promising, but turned windy and overcast when we got to the metro near the church.  This area of Paris is filled with narrow streets and neat old buildings and quite a few people out and about at an early hour. 

The church itself is impressive and getting to it can be done via  the Montmartre funicular (one metro ticket for each minute and a half ride - up or down... yikes!) or hiking up the paths.  We chose to hike up and see the changing views of the church and the city. 

Sacre Coeur itself can be photographed from the outside but they have people strategically placed inside to stop people from taking any photos inside.  I tried to take one and it just didn't turn out - message from above, I suppose.  At this Sacre Coeur link, you can see pictures of the inside - it is beautiful!

Not sure what the odd bricks are for.

We then walked Rick Steves tour through Monmartre and down to Pigalle. 

Bus driver has guts!

Vineyard

There was a vineyard - the only one left in the city - that still is used for wine by the nuns, I believe.  There is a festival every October, if I'm remembering correctly.




Any there are numerous properties of interest...

Windmills were popular

We stopped at a bar / cafe for a Cafe au Lait and meandered to Pigalle.  Wow! 
The red light district in Vancouver was active, but Pigalle takes the cake.
 

Lee with some Fascinating Fashion

We stopped into the Museum of Erotic Art, but did not go through it.  
The rains increased so we headed back to the boat.  What an interesting tour!