Paris: Tuesday

Tuesday was our last day in Paris. Cora woke up a little pukey, so Maya and I struck out to find breakfast on our own in Le Marais. When we got back, Cora had had a bit of a nap and perked up a bit, so we packed up our stuff, stuck her in the carrier, and headed out. We started by checking our luggage into the (very nice and secure) luggage storage at Gare de Lyon. Then we headed on the métro to Montmartre.

Once again, we'd received some tips the night before from cousin Nadège, so we started by walking up Rue des Abbesses. We passed by this somewhat more contemporary church, Église Saint Jean de Montmartre. 

We then saw this wooden moulin up the hill (pretty sure moulin is just French for windmill).

Following Nadège's great recommendations, we followed the street up to Rue Lepic, noting the many markets along the way with the intent of coming back later to pick up some picnic fixings for the train. We found a crêperie along the way. (The galettes were disappointing, but the Grand Marnier crêpe for dessert and cider to drink made up for it mostly.)

Then we finished the walk up the hill and through the art market to the Sacre Coeur.

Look there's Joan again!

We somehow managed to get in here without any security check. (Strangely, there was a security check for people entering by the time we left, but it didn't effect us.) We started by climbing to the top of the dome. This gave both great views back down to Paris and of the church roof itself.

Maya would like for you to know that I insisted on Tim taking her picture here.

There was even a little hidden (and dirty) stained glass in the stairwell.

No photos were allowed inside. So while it was impressive, this post is a bit shorter than the others...

After visiting the church, we headed down the steps to the carousel.

Which we all rode... The girls had been screaming for the chance to ride one of Paris's many double decker carousels. Luckily for us, the one at the bottom of these steps was one such carousel. Strangely, the girls both decided to ride on the bottom deck.

It started to sprinkle a bit, so we headed back to Rue Lepic, picked up some bread, fruit, meat, cheese, and wine at a series of storefronts, then headed back to Gare de Lyon by métro.

We had a picnic on our train (the Montmartre produce was incomparable). The girls went to sleep. On this train trip back, we were in "first class." Which basically meant we had three beds instead of four. The beds were more comfortable, the bedding was nicer, and we had a sink that worked sometimes.

We enjoyed a bottle of wine before we also went to sleep...