Every first Sunday of the month, the museums of Paris are open free of charge. Bingo, today was the day. Justin hadn’t seen the Louvre and I thought that he couldn’t come all this way and not go there, so that was our first destination today. The line up was massive, but quick moving and once inside it is just so huge that it wouldn’t looked packed out if there were a million people in there (I may be exaggerating a bit!). We meandered around, and followed the throng of people, who like me a few days before, just wanted to see The Mona Lisa. This time there was a big crowd in there. He seemed rather nonplussed about it all. Not gushing, not amazed, not enthralled, not nothing. Such a boy! I pointed out a few other famous things , and then we went over to another wing, where Napoleons apartments were. These are all set up in the way that they were when he lived there. Lavish, extravagant and over the top as usual! Justin really liked this part and we spent a long time in that area.

I was keen to get on. This being our last day i wanted to see some markets and also get out to Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica). These were both out in the same general direction, so we Metro’d it out to Marche aux Puces de St Ouen (like the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne) in the Montmartre district. I bought some jewellery, but everything else was pretty much your standard market kind of stuff, so we left there and headed to Sacre Coeur. We emerged from the metro not knowing which direction we were supposed to go, so followed the throng of tourists and came through a bustling sidestreet market face to face with the impressive Basilica on the hill. We grabbed our standard baguette and drink for lunch, and sat down on the Lawns just watching the people stream by. We were also once again mesmerised by the Touts and gypsies who are standing at about a metre apart all selling the same thing. How they make any money with this level of competition is beyond me.

After lunch we climbed up all the steps to the front of the church and relished the view. Stunning to see Paris this way, so flat and white. I love it. Inside the Basilica was ornate and ethereal. No photos, not hats and this was enforced y some scary guards at the doors. We sat down to take in the moment. It is said that since it’s consecration, there has not been a broken prayer (a perpetual prayer cycle) in there. Amazing stuff.

We caught the funicular railway down the hill to save our sorry little legs the walk. It was an amazing place.

From here we caught the metro a few stops then went in search of a little cafe that Justin was desperado to see. A tiny out of the way place made famous by the movie “Amelie”. We found it without getting too lost and sat down to a Iced coffee and Creme Broulee (when in France……). There was Amelie paraphernalia all over the place. It is clear that they thrive on the tourists unrelenting thirst for anything celebrity! Guilty!! Loved it, loved the atmosphere, loved the food.

We headed back into town and decided to eat a a local French Restaurant near the Hotel. Great service, fab food and a band to entertain us. Really enjoyed our last meal in Paris. The whole time has been the most incredible experience. Never thought I’d do it this way, so am very grateful that we were given the opportunity.

I fell in love with Paris this week.