Hello Fellow Francophiles,
The next day we set off to Montematre- spiritual home of Toullouise Latrec et al. Now who else but the French would position the most amazing church at the very top of a very steep hill about 15 mins out of Paris central on the metro whilst at the bottom, house the sleaziest skankiest strip of Boulevard de Clichy of sex shops and the Moulin Rouge. Here it was grubby, tawdry and just plain dirty and this area is called Pigalle - an area that the local real estate agents are calling up and coming because housing is in dire shortage in inner Paris . We think that is French real estate speak for renovators delight!!!! This place didn't endear itself to Siobhan as she thought it was tres tacky. However her view of the place was even more compromised when a runaway suitcase came crashing down the steps of the metro and collided full pelt into her legs. She didn't bother with the translation phrase book to let everyone know her displeasure!!!! I think everyone got her drift particularly the owner of runaway suitcase!!! Siobhan is now the proud owner of a leg that has more colours than a Montmatre painting.
The middle area of the rise was very lovely and was full of quaint walkways and shops but then we had to climb to the top where Sacre Coeur is...... all 213 steps to the top. Trust me, me and my knees counted them! But that wasn't the worst of it.Having schlepped our way up this grueling pass (detect slight exaggeration here readers) we walk around the corner to find (expletive) escalator/lift thingies gently conveying people up the incline. Siobhan has great photos of me struggling this mount everest of staircases - the witch!!!! In the church which was also beautiful, the nuns were singing in a service that was occurring as we were inside. Siobhan intended to light another candle there as she had lit a second one at Notre Dame wishing for a RFC premiership allegedly on behalf of her mother, and while that ain't possible this year ( we finished ninth again...... A fighting fury, we finished ninth again.......to the tune of the RFC theme song) it would seem God or Mary or some saint has liked the candles being lit for Joyce as Richmond has won again......
At the top of our climb was the cheesiest take on the artists in Montmatre where once upon a time great artists did great things now it's a Place of cheap caricatures and mass produced artwork - interestingly now the modern artists have set themselves up in galleries in Le Marais. One point to finish on was that the French have a dedicated museum or Musee to Erotica which sits directly below the Church along with all the sex shops.
We found a magnificent place for lunch called "its my pleasure" which sounds alot better in French. What these people can do with a chicken breast, three perfect dutchcarrots and a saffron sauce defies description.
Then it was off to the Louvre. Inside. I do not mean to be in anyway disrespectful but when we headed inside to the building that it takes 9 months to cover with just a passing glance at the enormity oft the artworks contained therein, it was like heading into the Hall of Manufacturers at the Royal Melbourne Show. Remember as a kid looking at the backs of knees of adults, stifling hot and airless as you made your way towards the Hoadley's Showbags or BertieBeetle show bags? Don't get me wrong, the building is awesome - the crowds not so much! They are here to tick off a bucket list item and seem impervious to the priceless works of art around them as they shuffle towards Mona, take a snap and move on........guilty as charged we did same but we headed towards Napoleaons rooms - as a revolutionary, we found it a tad ironic that he seemed to have just as extravagant taste as all the Louis who had gone before - this guy was as camp and as ornate as any of the royals.........and on the way we also saw some amazing Bottecelli works. We were disappointed because we wanted to compare Louis XIV bling with Betty's bling (aka crown jewels) but the buggers were off restoring it or so they said........
After a looooong day we headed to a bar in Le Marias with the loveliest fellow who could not speak a word of English and our French was Le crap, but we had the bestest of times. Champagne is champagne in any language and we got lots - surprisingly our first champagne in Paris , it was Tattinger so we had more - at house prices. He also has this thing going where you order a salad by completing a survey or questionnaire Order many salad elements you want ....... Type of lettuce, cheese, ham, dressing, acccompaniment, etc......it is the best way to do ordering ...... Save for the fact that you need to be doing this in a country that has this brilliant choice on offer for around $ 12 to$ 18 euro with the best quality ingredients you have ever enjoyed........
We had had a brilliant day but the next day we were headed to Versailles. So we will see what we will see. It really can't get any better...........
Love
Kelly & Siobhan xxxxxxxx
on offer
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