sacre coeur

entrance to the Louvre

Our first stop for the day was the Louvre! We got there right when it opened and basically walked right in, only stopping for security.  I saw the major pieces before wandering around to see some Renaissance objects in another wing.  Probably my favorite thing, other than the Mona Lisa, was the slaves by Michelangelo.  I love his work and it is so amazing to see his understanding of the human body translated into sculpture.  From one museum to the next, some friends and I went to the Orangerie and saw Monet’s work that is housed there.  It was really cool but not my favorite.  The next part of our day was absolutely delicious. 

           

   We headed to Angelina’s where they have famously good hot chocolate but before we got there, we ran into some friends headed to a famed boulangerie so we tagged along and I got a ham and cheese sandwich on baguette bread with a friend.  It really was amazing.  Apparently they won the award for best baguette a few years ago; I can totally believe it.  From there we went back to Angelina’s and got our hot chocolate.  Friends had suggested getting white and dark hot chocolate and then mixing them together which we did.  But I preferred the dark hot chocolate alone with some whipped cream.  It was not at all too chocolaty for me as it was for them.  Basically if you ever go, you have to get some.  It is deliciously rich and thick and just right for a chilly day. 

            We hurried to the metro stop outside the Louvre so we could meet up with our group to head to the Opera Garnier where we had a guided tour of the theater.  We saw the main hall, the entrance way and the Phantom’s box, all while learning the history of the opera house.  It was really interesting though I had trouble just staying awake. 

loge du fantome de l'opera
[the phantom of the opera's box]

 I went with a group to Montmartre and on our way we stopped at the Galleries Lafayette which has a beautiful art nouveau stained glass ceiling that is incredible.  We only stopped for a moment and then we went on the metro.  

Our first stop was the cemeterie Montmartre where I attempted to find a grave for my sister but unfortunately could not find despite all of us looking.  We did walk up to Sacre Coeur and we got there in time to hear the nuns singing and to see the sunset from there.  I took some photographs of the sunset which are beautiful but which hardly capture the moment.  The weather was perfect all day so seeing the sun set was the best ending to our explorations. 

sunset at sacre coeur