 I met Juliette a couple of weeks ago when she hosted our family to our first French Sunday lunch. She is a very quiet and gentle woman with four children. The children are off on school break for the next two weeks so she asked if she could show us "Montmartre". I responded very quickly "tell me when and where and I will be there." We met outside one of the metro stations in Montmartre. She had her three boys and her Father with her. I loved watching her boys cluster around their Grandfather, it was very evident that they were enamored by him.  I walked behind the men, camera in hand, eyes like saucers, mouth in a circle, oohing and ahhing at every turn. I felt like we were in a small little village in France, far away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. It was quiet and charming.   We found Place du Tertre, the main square where all the artists congregate to sketch. The artists were an interesting mix of young and old. The lines on their faces told a story. I can't wait to visit this square in the Spring when the trees will be dresed in green.   There are many hills and stairs in Montmartre but the view is worth it........  I enjoyed seeing the inside of the beautiful Sacre Coeur. When you drive from the airport to Paris, it is one of the first things you see from the highway. A huge church welcoming you to Paris. (Or so I thought). Juliette and her family find it ugly and too ornate, "not French at all", they say. Yes, it is "over the top" but I can surely appreciate the beauty and the forty years that it took to build.   I enjoyed my afternoon with Juliette; strolling the cobblestone streets, talking about the ordinary, her men in front of us deep in conversation, Max and Sophie trailing us. I think Max and Sophie enjoyed Montmartre as well............  I have had the great fortune of exploring Paris many times in my life but I had never visited Montmartre. Please don't make that mistake, if you have never been to Montmartre, take an afternoon to explore it. What a little gem. I will be back many times this year.  CommentsLindastamps Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:50:07 When I was 14 I went to France with my parents for a month. We stayed of course in Paris for some of that time and Place du Tertre is one of my favorite places from that trip. It's definitely on my "must visit" list this fall. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:56:08 This brings back so many good memories for me. My outstanding memory of my too short visit to Paris was our afternoon in Montmartre. There was no downside. The Basilica Sacre Coeur was gorgeous. mom Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:28:13 Oh look at those cobblestone streets, look at that color blue, look at that architecture, look,look, look. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:54:57 We sat on the steps leading up to Sacre Coeur listening to a violin player. My oldest son, who plays the violin as well, put a Euro in his case. I love the gargoyles at Sacre Coeur. Did your kids walk up the steps and get to see them up close? aunt sally Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:41:54 gosh gina how lovely to get acquainted with your paris and surrounding areas with kindhearted people, very special!! your pics are lovely.....don' stop!! Leave a Reply |  AuthorGina Johnson  ArchivesJuly 2010 CategoriesAll |
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