Our last day with Karen as this afternoon we need to take her to Gare du Nord to put her on the Eurostar back to London. It has been such a wonderful time catching up with her in London and it is one of those friendships where you might not have seen one another for a long time but you just slip back into it like an old sock – let us just say, not a smelly old sock.
Our plan was to go back to Monmatre so we could visit the Sacre Coeur Basilica.
The view of Paris from the top of the hill was spectacular and as you can see, we have lucked out yet again regarding the weather.
We did not queue for the Basilica as it was difficult to find the end of the queue (that was a first for us) and also we were on a time frame to get Karen to the Eurostar.
We had a brief look around the area where the cathedral was. We can tell you it is catholic and considered a minor basilica.
It was time to now head down into Monmatre to check out the artisan area of Monmatre.
This region is known for its plethora of cafes and artists shops and now a myriad of shops that sell stuff that they think the tourist would like to spend their Euros on.
After a final coffee and pastry, it was time to make our way back to the apartment to pick up Karen’s bag and then take her to Gare du Nord where she caught the train back home. We don’t know when we will see one another again but hopefully not too long. We have a FaceTime call every six weeks which usually goes for three hours which helps keep us close.
The two of us then caught a bus down to the beginning of the Champs-Élysées where we were going to start our trek up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
They were still clearing away the bleachers from the Tour de France so it was a bit of an obstacle course for us. The traffic was also a nightmare.
Louis Vuitton has just completed their new store which is in the shape of a briefcase with suitcase locks on the outside of it – it was pretty clever.
We finally got to the top where we used the underground passes to make our way across to the Arc de Triomphe. The traffic around the circle is about six lanes deep and there are eight roads that feed into the roundabout. We could not believe it as a couple with three small children ran across the road rather than take the underpasses. Admittedly there are not escalators at the underpasses but was it really worth risking the lives of your three children-some people beggar belief.
There are 202 steps to the top of the Arc and by now Di was already feeling the strain of what was a long day.
She was pretty chuffed as she made it all the way there with minimal stops.
The view was well worth the effort.
Now the dark clouds were starting to roll in.
It was then all the way back down again.
At the tomb of the unknown soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, every evening at 6:30pm, veterans lay wreaths decorated with red, white and blue near its flickering flame. The flame is also rekindled. It burns in the darkness to recall the sacrifice of an unknown French soldier who gave his life during World War I. We were so lucky as we caught the tail end of it and it was moving as these ceremonies always are.
We got a great photo of the bugler and drummer from the ceremony departing.
It was now time to bid adieu and head home.
It was a big day for us all.
Steps – 21,263 HOLY Sh#*T
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