Garnier Opera House

Truth be told, my client, cousin, and dear friend....is one of the zaniest  persons to travel with. We had ample time for the ballet, but somehow got detoured on our wine and cheese tasting that we created, then moved onto haute couture picture taking. We lost all track of time and did the 50 yard dash 5 times running into the ballet, sweating ourselves into the red velvet seats, where they promptly locked the doors behind us.

This is where I think hubby is much happier watching the Chargers vs. La Dame aux Camelias. The show was stunning, but most impressive was the piano player, who played Chopin flawlessly for 3 hours.

Notre-Dame and Marai

We met our Paris Greeter, a native Parisan woman about 75 years old who volunteered to spend the day with us showing us the sites of the fourth adorrindissment.

She was was a thick accented walking & talking encyclopedia. It took all and I mean ALL of my attention to understand her in English and follow her quick little steps around.

She absconded us into Notre-Dame, like Harry Potter with the majic cloak, bypassing the throngs of people and tours and placed us right under the nose of Jesus with the precepts of virtue on our left and the actions of sin on our right. The depiction of the devil and anguish of sin is so visibly frightening it is no wonder the people of the age were dedicated to the church and or their king. I wish my kids could see it.

She then squeezed us through an unfathom-ably large door where  I popped into the most visually beautiful church that has ever been created. No words or pictures can describe the art, history, or spiritual representation. So I won't try.

Onto traditional Parisian lunch (Inside out Monte Cristo sandwich, bottled water/outside cafe) in the Marai district then onto to more sight seeing... Starting with St. Paul church built by King Luis IX. This was an exceptionally interesting tour as Maxine our tour guide lived in this area when she was a little girl, is jewish and was able to give us a true account of what life was like from a historial and personal perspective. 

Mesmerized by how they hang these!

I want these chairs 

I'll admit, I was constantly side bar-ed by all sweet vignettes of EVERYTHING. If only I had a container to ship it all home!

Montemarte Historical Walk

A little  groggy from jet lag....but became fully awake when presented with a fresh chocolate croissant wagging in my face and a "Let's GO! From my more than energetic counter part, Sasha.

We conquered the bohemian Montemarte Historical walking tour in seven hours (supposed to take two); Starting at Sacre-Couer Basilica crypt onto a leg burning 300 step spiral stair case climb, then onto Cabaret district where we explored museums and the homes and hang outs of the great artist suchs as Dali, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec.

 

 

Had a two hour intermission at the darling La Basilica restaurant (wine & food fabulous, but that's a given right?)

Proceeded through seedy district, no need to explain...and emptied out onto the best boulangerie and frommage houses in the district. Making purchases of the most beautiful artisan cheeses to replenish the groceries at the flat.

Took the metro to our temporary home and put tooth picks in our eyes....singing the mantra "I must stay awake till eight"

ARRIVED!

Spacious flat. Minimalist modern meets traditional French design. 

Loved the welcome gift and the bust on the mantle.

Enjoyed a warm evening at Sacre'-Couer...Narrow streets, bistros, wine, cheese, cobblestone streets. 

There was even the sound of a violin playing in the background. Goodnight. 3:00AM

24 Hours and counting...

Twas the night before Paris, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The luggage was packed by the door step with care, 
In hopes that Richard Branson would soon be there...