Au Revoir Paris

The last day of our whirlwind trip to Paris started out at Sacré-Coeur, a basilica on the outskirts of the city. The church is on top of a huge hill, so you hike up a lot of stairs to get there.

I like the walk to Sacré-Coeur because the neighborhood that it's in, Montmartre, is a very charming and pretty place. It used to be the hangout of artists like Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir.

The basilica itself wasn't built until 1875, so it's pretty new by Paris standards. There was political instability and a bloody uprising after France lost a war to Germany in 1870. This church was built to ask for forgiveness for the crimes of the Commune government. I think they did a pretty good job.

Ever since my mom saw my pictures from the Paris Opera House 3 years ago, she has wanted to go! So that was our next destination.

I didn't make it to Versailles on this trip, but going to the Opera House helped me get my fill of gold and luxury.

 

The balcony off of the ballroom has some lovely views of Haussmannian Paris.

Right across the street from the Opera House is Galeries Lafayette, one of the fanciest, most famous department stores in Paris. It's always worth a stop not only for the designer shopping, but just to see the building itself.

When you travel with my mom, expect to accidentally be in all of her pictures.

Later that day we met Claire at the art gallery where she works, the Palais de Tokyo. It was Paris Fashion Week, and they were holding fashion shows in Claire's building! Lots of crazily dressed people were hanging out in the lobby.

My mom chased down a man/woman (verdict's still out) wearing a yarn wig, square hat, and plaid suit to get a picture... but was unsuccessful.

When we left the building, there was a ton of paparazzi waiting to take pictures of people's outfits. Sadly I don't think we made any magazines.

The Palais de Tokyo is basically right across the river from the Eiffel Tower.

We walked down to Les Invalides with Claire, and then she helped us find where our boat was taking off for the river cruise down the Seine. It was great to get a last view of pretty Paris at night before leaving for Strasbourg the next day!

Until next time, Paris! Thankfully you're only a 2 hour TGV ride from my new city.