Paris Pilgrimage

Kelly had seen posters in the métro for an exhibit at the Arab Institute on the pilgrimage to Mecca.  He had read a book about it several years ago and the subject intrigued him. 

Yesterday we took the métro to Gare d'Austerlitz and walked back along the quai by the Seine through the open air sculpture garden towards the Arab Institute.

Kelly at the Seine at the entrance to the
Canal St. Martin



When we arrived at the Arab Institute, we found they also had an Orient Express Exhibit on the plaza.  Andrew would have loved the trains!


Orient Express Engine

Orient Express Train Cars

The Hajj Exhibit

We enjoyed the exhibit and learned more about the journey to Mecca, the rituals and what the pilgrims did there.  We also learned that Muslims believe Ishmael and not Isaac was the child Abraham was told to sacrifice.  Abraham journeyed with Ishmael and Ishmael's mother, Hagar, to Mecca.

After the exhibit, we walked up the hill towards the Panthéon to the St. Etienne du Mont church.  We had tried to visit this church at the beginning of our trip but in the summer it is closed at lunch time and we did not have good timing.

Saint Etienne Du Mont Church
Commenced under Francois I
Finished under Louis XIII

Sande had told me it was one of her favorite churches and I could see why when we got inside.  It was beautiful--very light and airy.

Interior of St. Etienne du Mont



We walked back down the hill to a bus that would take us across town right to our apartment.  It is fun to see how the quartiers are connected.  Usually we are underground on the métro and pop up in a new area not really knowing what is in between. 
Later I went to the bakery to get Kelly a chocolate éclair but it was almost closing time and only coffee ones were left.  So I bought a Paris-Brest, which is shaped like an éclair but has choux cream in it with hazelnuts.  It is one of my new favorites!  We are always discovering something new in Paris.