Day 2

Just back from our Montmartre tour which was fab. Our guide was well informed and interesting. Saw  the studio where Picasso worked, the home of the past French President's mistress, lots of gorgeous streets and delicious food shops. OMG I wish I could just keep eating. I love the food here. We ended up at Sacre Couer which was apparently built in 1861 to bring all the revolutionaries back to conformity and back to control and order of the state obviously controlled by the church. Guess that didn't work. We got a delicious baguette and pastry for lunch and sat in a gorgeous little park to eat. 

Yes that is 2 pastries but we only had 1/2each!! 

Montmartre

Lunch in the park

The original church built in 1100 at at site of Sacre Couer

Sacre Couer

House of a famous French poet whose name I can't remember!!

The buildings are gorgeous. 

Our first day in Gay Paris!

Despite the fact that we had a very long flight with little sleep, Claudia and I both managed to stay awake all day and even fit in a tour of the Louvre.  The tour was three hours long and we managed to stick it out for two! My eyes were stinging and Claudia's legs were aching and it just became too much for a koala to bear! Having said that, it was great to hear about the history of the art works and the actual building. 

Our apartment is tiny - it is literally under the roof with dormer windows that have views across the rooftops of Paris.  It couldn't be in a better location, with the Louvre only a five minute walk away and an amazing array of patisseries and cafes literally at our doorstep.  The only downside is the six flights of steps we have to navigate every time we leave the apartment.  But the history of the building and its location more than make up for this.  Airbnb has delivered again! We were greeted by the housekeeper who even helped us up the stairs with our luggage! 

Paris certainly has charm! Jennie, when we were at the Louvre, we saw some fat tire cyclists and I felt the trauma return! There will be no cycling around those bloody great roundabouts this time!! Instead we are soaking up the charm of the architecture and the history and atmosphere of this gorgeous place.  

Our rooftop view

Just outside our apartment door.  Apparently the personal doctor of Louis XIV lived here.  Pretty sure he didn't live in this apartment!

A laneway just down the street from us

These medieval fortress foundations under the Louvre were only discovered thirty years ago.  Amazing! 

Yum

First and definitely not the last!! 

Arrived at last!!

The last 13 hour leg was long and tedious although we both managed to get some sleep. Helen was on one side of the metro entry/exit and I was on the other a couple of times when her ticket failed to open the gates!! Popped up from the metro to a wonderful Parisian street view. 6 winding flights of stairs was also a little challenging to our tiny Paris home for the next 4 days!! I love Paris!! 

First and hopefully last mishap

Helen's back pack strap broke so a new more ergonomic one has been purchased. Bag that is, not strap!! Way too many pouches and hidey holes so it will now take longer to find anything!! 

Almost time to go!

Only one more sleep and we are excited!!! Nearly packed, at least nearly repacked. Decided I didn't like the way I packed the first time and besides, the bag only weighs 12.8 kg so there is room for more.  A few little jobs to do in the morning then we will be off. Yahoo!! It has come around so quickly it all seems a bit unreal.

Almost Time!

Yesterday I picked up the Euros I'd ordered from the Post Office.  The exchange rate is not fantastic and I'm not convinced it'll improve much while we're in Europe, but it is what it is! Claudia and I leave tomorrow at 2.30 pm.  I'm not sleeping too well - pretty excited! We land in Paris at 7.30 am, probably feeling fairly bleary eyed! I'm looking forward to posting more photos and commentary once we arrive.