Lots More Paris Fun

It’s been a couple days since we’ve posted any photos from our time in Paris. This is Friday in Paris, which means we only have one week left. 🙁 Certainly this will not be our last time here. We’re in love with this city. What’s not to love?

Here are some shots and notes on what we do love …

On Wednesday, we met up with an long-time French friend of Clint’s, Sabine. She lives in Toulouse, but was in Paris on business and took the day to show us around town. Clint and Sabine haven’t seen each other in person for 18 years, but they picked right up. Sabine’s niece, Elise – a student at the Sorbonne, came along too. We had a great time exploring the Marais district, the islands in the Seine (including a great lunch there), and the Left Bank. The three of us then went to Musée d’Orsay, a former train station now filled with impressionist art. We marveled at works by Manet, Renoir, Gaugin, Rodin, and Van Gogh, among others. That evening, Sabine’s brother’s family had us to their apartment here in Paris for a homemade dinner. It was great fun being in a French home, sharing good times and great food.

Place Dauphine on Ile de la Cite. This great little public square was where we had lunch courtesy of Sabine in a cute French restaurant.

After leaving the museum, we emerged to find gorgeous autumn light thrown across the city. Here is the Louvre, taken from the Left Bank of the Seine.

A post-dinner pose with Sabine's family. Her family from left to right: Caroline, Sabine, Benjamin, Elise, Clement, and Philippe.

Wednesday was also the day that Caz & Christina arrived from Barcelona. So after dinner with Sabine’s family, we met up with our family back at our apartment. It was great being together with them so far away from home … and we’ve been having a great time with them ever since they arrived.

Thursday was a rainy day and Clint went out with Caz and Christina for a little sight-seeing while Ryan took a day at a hammam (Turkish steam bath).

C & C in front of the Paris Opera

Looking from the Opera's front steps down the street with the Louvre at the end.

The sun returned on Friday and we had plenty to get out and see and do. It was a day of climbing! First, we traveled to Montmartre and climbed the hill that makes up this neighborhood. Then, at the base of the famous and iconic Sacre Coeur basilica, we climbed up the many steps to have a gander.

A colorful sidewalk cafe in Montmartre.

Stairs ...

.... and stairs ...

... and more stairs.

The view from the top looking down on Paris is great.

And the view of Sacre Coeur isn't bad, either.

While C & C toured the basilica, Clint and I opted for something less ecclesiastical … lunch. We found a great little restaurant on the small road immediately below Sacre Coeur and we had a great time there, enjoying the view, eating the food, and conversing with the proprietor.