Day 3 in Paris

No museums today or time limits so a much more relaxed day. Although walking up to Sacre Coeur at the top of Montmartre Hill, had us both catching our breath. We didn't bother going up to the top of the dome as the views from the church and surrounding area were good enough..



Maybe if I had gone higher I wouldn't have had TV aerials on the skyline.

The nuns were singing as we walked around the Cathedral making it quite a spiritual experience.

Once outside I made the mistake of going downhill missing the Place du Tertre, the Square with its many artists. So once again we had to walk back up the hill. There are steps and a handrail but still it is quite a climb. But it was worth the walk.

We wandered around the Square looking at all the different styles of art work and the different range of prices. We resisted the many offers of having our portraits done by the numerous talented artists each with their own individual style.

It was another sunny, hot day, time to sit down, have a drink and do some serious people watching..

Not a lover of the numerous selfie sticks taking over the streets.

Time to move on. We walked down the hill to the Metro station through the more seedy end with its sex shops and Museum of Eroticism.

This is also where you find the Moulin Rouge. When first built at the end of the 19th cent it opened up the world to Cabaret entertainment and was the birthplace of the can-can. Frequented by artists, in particular Toulouse- Lautrec who was commissioned to produce a series of posters for the Moulin Rouge.

The original building was burnt down in 1915 but was soon replaced. It still offers musical dance entertainment for the many tourists who visit this area.

Next stop the Arc de Triomphe. Erected by Napoleon in 1806 it is a must on the tourist trail. At the centre of 12 avenues, it is one place I would never try and cross the road. Thank heaven for subways.

Then a walk down the city's most iconic avenue, the Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde but there was a lot of work going on in the square so we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and walk by the river.

Yarn bombing can also be found in Paris.

We decided to book an evening cruise down the Seine which would be leaving from Pont Neuf so we were ready for a meal when we came across this vegetarian restaurant not far from the bridge. It had only just opened the day before and had not had its official opening.

Thankfully we were not put off by its lack of customers because the food was outstanding.

I had a cauliflower cream soup accompanied by a galette made from semolina and covered in a beetroot houmous and roasted veg.

I decided to have a dessert of pistachio ice cream with raspberries. Mmm fabulous. By far the tastiest food I've had in a long time.

As the sun was beginning to set we boarded the boat, sitting on the top deck we were perfectly placed to enjoy  our trip down the Seine as night descended.

As we travelled back up the Seine to the Pont Neuf, all along the banks of the river were young people enjoying a picnic or drink. It was a fitting way to end our last full day in Paris.

Sharing with James at  Weekend reflections