Paris Day Six

I'm counting these by full days, really I had arrived 7 days ago.  This was shocking to me, because it meant I only have one week left!  But, I'll try to chase that scary thought from my head and write an appropriate update for you.  Day six was an interesting day. 

As you'll remember, May 1 is a holiday in France, their labor day.  Most of the museums and attractions were closed, so we decided this would be a good day to do a Moulin Rouge show since it was open.  We made reservations on Monday for the 11PM Tuesday night show.  There are only two shows a night and the first is a dinner show.

Moulin Rouge is a famous nightclub that focuses on big cabaret shows.  It has 60 dancing girls, many dancing guys, and most famously, elaborately sequined and feathered costumes with little to nothing on top.

Knowing this was going to be a late night, we had to still decide how to spend the day.  We got up and went for a walk looking for comfortable shoes and socks for Kim.  No such luck as all stores were closed, but we did find demonstrations, parades, and croissants!

Only a couple blocks from our house, there was a large parade, but it was just people marching; no floats or anything.  The marching seems political, but without being able to fully read the signs, we think it mostly has to do with the recent political elections for president.

On the way back to the apartment, we finally found an open patisserie and snagged our first morning croissant and chocolate croissant to have with a second cup of coffee and tea.

We left the house for the second time around 1 PM, hoping we had everything we would need for the next 12 hours.  We knew it was warm, but we would be walking home late at night. 

First, we headed to the Sacre Couer to get some pictures in the sun, and views of the city.  We were worried that the clouds would come in, later afternoon, but they never did.  It was our most beautiful weather day so far!

Being back in the Montmarte area, we wondered the streets, up and down the hills for the afternoon and evening.   We had lunch on the sidewalk at a little cafe.  I enjoyed a French beer with lunch called, Affligem.

The streets near the Sacre Couer were packed, but the ones off the main square were beautiful.

Montmarte is known for their artist community and the square near Sacre Couer is packed with artists all wanting to draw or paint you and/or sell their paintings of the area.  Kim and I would both get a bit overwhelmed with all the people so we alternated between the busy and quiet streets.

We took a break in a part full of kids playing at one point and for dinner we enjoyed yet another new experience.  We had a Raclette meal.  This type of meal is more from the Chamonix/Alps area of France.  They have a little grill on your table and you grill meat and melt cheese to go with your bread and potato.  It was interesting and a good way to pass the evening until the show.  Finally it was time for the show.

We both really enjoyed the Moulin Rouge show.  You couldn't take pictures in the theater, but we were right next to the stage.  Literally, there as no one between us and the stage in a room of about 500 people.  Lots of feathers, sequins, singing, and dancing.  Even a tank full of live snakes - of which neither Kim nor I were too fond!  We are really glad we made that part of our stay and enjoyed our stroll home.  I want to note that we got home at 2 AM, and yet felt perfectly safe walking the streets of Paris that late in the evening, or early in the morning depending on your view.

Another successful day in Montmarte.