day two (3): montmartre, sacré coeur and beyond

Beyond

Hello, and welcome to Beyond...

After leaving Montmartre, we took the metro to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, and took some time at l'Arc de Triomphe.

And then we started to make our way back East along the Champs-Elysées.. passing amongst many top of the line boutiques like Cartier, Hermes, Dior, The Gap, Starbucks Coffee, McDonalds, and... Louis Vuitton...

A short while later we took a side street off the Champs-Elysées and walked past the Palais de l'Elysée. The modest home of the French President. We were supposed to stop in and have a glass of Champagne with Nicky and Carla, but it seems there was some sort of mix up and they were unfortunately stuck entertaining the Bushs. Poor Nicky and Carla.

So since we were felt so bad for them we headed straight on over to La Madeleine to pray for them...

After leaving La Madeleine we walked around the square and although it was close, we were very pleased to see the Maille Boutique... As some of you may know Didier and I, while not agreeing on whether it's correct to just call Maille Dijon Mustard, 'mustard' or 'dijon', we both agree that everything is better with a little Maille.

"Que Maille, qui m'aille"

Our next stop in the Beyond was to be the Opéra Garnier. La-ti-dah! Unfortunately it was closed so we didn't have a chance to get in and look around... OR catch a matinée.

But we did take a table at the Café de la Paix, designed by the same man that designed the opera house (Charles Garnier), had a little apero (Kir, Ricard and an appetizer... 27 Euro!) and looked out onto the front facade of the Opéra.

After our 'little snack' we walked over to Place Vendôme...



Walked past the Ritz..

Then headed on back to our friend Lionel's place, had a little rest, then went back out, walked by the Parc de Bercy to Cours Saint Emilion and had a late dinner in an old wine warehouse area converted to swanky dining establishments and boutiques. We ate at a chain called...

Yup.... Le Hippopotamus Grill.

One last late night stroll and we were back at Lionel's and ready to call it a day. Tomorrow... Notre Dame, and La Tour Eiffel...