Montmartre

I need to say right off that Montmartre is not my favorite place to visit in Paris.  Sacré Coeur is pretty, but it seems so modern in a place like Paris--it is less than 150 years old.  It is not easy to get to from our apartment--we have to take three métro trains to get there.  In 2009, we made Andrew the official Montmartre tour guide and he took many visitors up to see it.

Dad, Mom, Andrew and Kate at Sacré Coeur

When the weather is nice, the streets and the steps are jammed with tourists.  And then there are those annoying illegals who want to tie some string on your wrist and try to get you to pay them for a bracelet.  I know there are lots of tourists around the Eiffel Tower, but maybe I am more forgiving because the Eiffel Tower is in my quartier so I feel it belongs us.  I am thankful there is a funiculaire that eliminates many of the stairs up to Sacré Coeur and the top of Montmartre.
However, Montmartre does have its charms.  There are always performers on the stairs and terraces at Sacré Coeur--a mime standing like a statue on a pedestal, crazy dancers, and this time a guy who juggled a soccer ball while climbing the lamp post.

Street Dancer

Soccer Ball Juggler

Over near Place de Tertre where all the artists congregate was a singing organ grinder.  She was quite a character and even sold CDs of her music.

We looked for a painting to send home for Kelly's niece, Angie.  We talked to one artist who was Greek.  He lived in southwestern France and painted scenes from Sarlat, our favorite market town, and other places we had visited in 2009 in the Dordogne region.  We were very tempted to buy a painting for us, but didn't want to have to figure out how to get it home in a suitcase.

Kelly with the Greek Artist Looking at a Painting of Sarlat

We found a nice little painting from another artist to buy for Angie with the Pont Alexandre and the Eiffel Tower.  Down the hill from the Place de Tertre is a wonderful handmade gelato place.  Of course we each had to try some of that.  So it was a successful little trip up to Montmartre, and with more friends and family coming to visit, definitely not our last.

Mom and Dad below Sacré Coeur