Day 2 in Paris

At last our class has arrived in Paris, and on Saturday we  had the opportunity to go sightseeing with Dr. Phlanze serving as our tour guide.  After a short bus ride and a relatively long walk through the snow and slush covered streets (snow is very rare in Paris!) we found ourselves outside of Moulin Rouge, the famous cabaret. The can-can dance was first performed here and its influence has spread all throughout Europe. Although we didn't get to go inside, just seeing the iconic red windmill in person was worth the trip. After examining the prices and deciding against coming back for a show, we moved upwards towards more conservative areas.

Once we had climbed the large hill, our class split into subgroups for an hour so that we could get lunch. My group entered a pleasant cafe where I had a delicious veal dish. The real menu item of intrigue, however, was the escargot. Mike and Phil ordered six of the snails cooked with a garlic and butter sauce and concluded that it was delicious.  After everyone was finished eating, our group met back up and continued upwards along the steep path towards our next destination.

 

The gorgeous Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre, usually called Sacré-Cœur Basilica, is the highest point in the city and offers a breathtaking view into Paris. Construction on this Roman Catholic church began in 1874 and was completed in 1914, and as such, it's actually one of the newer famous churches in Paris. Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the view it offers were well-worth the considerable and treacherous climb up the icy streets. Unfortunately we weren't permitted to take pictures of the inside, but know that it's just as stunning as the exterior!

After visiting Sacré-Cœur Basilica, we descended back to the main streets of Paris and proceeded to get lost for a while. Although some of our group split off, the remainder of us eventually found our way to the Arc de Triomphe.  This monument commemorates those who died during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806. This location is also noteworthy for offering another great view. By standing in the middle of the road, the observer can look both ways through the very heart of the city.

Although the tour ended after this, I soon had the opportunity to experience an evening full of shopping, good food, and fun times.