AN AFTERNOON IN MONMARTRE

After watching the street performer sing for awhile we had lunch at Au clairon Des Chassuers. We sat out in the square, under an awning, with the street artist all around. I had Beouf Bourguignon which was absolutely delicious. I'm buying a French cookbook when I get home. Our server was Etienne. He spoke excellent english but would answer my questions in French and English. After lunch we walked around the square and looked at all the artist work, and watched them paint. I have no room to carry additional things all over Europe , so I resisted. I'll have to buy next time. Spent the rest of the afternoon in Monmartre. Square where we had lunch

Street scene

Interesting wall art.

In front of theMoulin Rouge

Just me this time

APRIL IN PARIS SACRE COEUR

Decided to go to Sacre Couer today to see it in springtime. When I was there in Decembre there was 5 inches of snow on the ground. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. Took the metro line 4 from Les Halles to Barbes Rochechouart and changed to the 2 line and got off at Avers. Stopped in a cafe and had a cafe creme and used the facilities(bathroom). Walked up the hill to the funicular. There was a street band playing so I listened for a while, gave them some change and rode up the hill. Enjoyed the view and walking around inside the church. I bought a book about Sacre Coeur because photos are not allowed in the church. After walking through the church we headed off to the right to explore Montmartre. View from the terrace. In Decembre you couldn't see the first building because of the snow. Sacre Coeur from the terrace.

View coming out of church.

Looking down at the funicular.

Street performer. I bought her CD

AFTER THE CROWN OF THORNES

After the service in Notre Dame we walked over to Ile St. Louis and stopped in the Brasserie Ile St. Louis. See Ladee's blog for food pictures. http://www.ladeetravels.blogspot.com/ I had eaten here back in October 2009. The plat du jour was delicious. Today the steak was just as good. Also, Ile St. Louis has the best ice cream in all of Europe. After eating we had a leisurly walk back to the apartment. We stopped at the neighborhood Boulangerie and bought our breakfast for Saturday morning. Pain du chocolat. Walking between Notre Dame and the Seine

Couldn't resist. Spring time in Paris. The day was beautiful. It was in the low 70's

View of Notre Dame from the left bank

Left bank

Paris street scene

VENERATION DE LA COURONNE D"EPINES (VENERATION OF THE CROWN OF THORNES)

Friday was a leisurely day. We had a light breakfast of fruit salad and Pain de chocolat and then walked toward the metro. Just before the metro we noticed that St. Eustache was open. St. Eustache is the second largest church in Paris. Louis XIV made his first communion there. After seeing the church we took the metro to the Cite. From there it was a short walk to Notre Dame . We arrived around 12:30 and walked around the outside square. We went in to the church around 1:00 in order to get a good seat for the service at 3:00. The service started at 3:00 and lasted until around 4:30. It was a very moving and spiritual service. I actually got to see, touch, and kiss the Crown of Thornes. St.Eustache Church

The organ in St Eustache

Main altar of St.Eustache

Poster in front of Notre Dame

The altar on which the Crown of Thornes is displayed

Side view walking in from the garden

Back of the Chateau

View of the walk to "The Hameau

Nature at the Chateau

Tree in bloom

A DAY in the FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE

View of the Chateau as you walk toward the front

Front of the Chateau

View of the garden from the front of the

Chateau.

Side view

Arch as you enter the grounds

We decided to take a day and visit the Chantilly Chateau. We took the metro to Gare du Nord and navigated through Gare du Nord to catch the Creil line which is part of the Grandes Lignes. It's a half hour trip to Chantilly. When we arrived we hopped on a bus to the chateau. It dropped us off in front of an old church which we walked in to and then walked to the chateau. Before seeing the chateau we walked through the garden to the small restaurant "The Hameau". Food was absolutely magnifique. Think Chantilly Cream. See http://www.ladeetravel.blogspot.com/ for food and lace pictures. Also on ladee's blog is a rendition of Chantilly lace by Tina and Karl. Check it out. Sung with the chateau in the background.

ART and CHAPEL OF THE CHATEAU

Senic shot on the way to the hiking path.

View of the Chapel from the courtyard

Stain Glass window in the Chapel

A Raphael

A Raphael

Toured the art collection of the Chateau and saw several Raphael's and Delacroix's. Also saw the chapel.