A Holiday Saturday at Montmartre
Bonjour,
What better day could one have than to share a place you love with people you love!
Yesterday was part of a holiday weekend in Paris. Pentecost Sunday is today in celebration of Christ’s ascension. And on Monday (our Memorial Day), we will be honored to celebrate by spending a day on the Normandy beaches. Yes, it will be jammed but so very appropriate. I hope it will be the memory of a lifetime for both Natalie and Carson. History will come alive!
I think the photos will tell the story of our day far better than any words I could use. Some photos are mine, some are Bernie’s and some are Natalie’s. Enjoy!
So a couple of things before I sign off. Sorry that the pics are slightly out of order and not all edited to perfection. There’s just so much time to spend on the blog. I do want to stress the featured photo at the top because it’s quite important. That’s a real black cat on an actual man’s shoulders and is THE MOST iconic image of Montmartre. LE CHAT NOIR (the black cat) was a very famous caberet or night club many years ago. If you have a copy of my book “Bernie’s Paris,” there is quite a lengthy description of the history of Montmartre.. an area of windmills, limestone, working class people, caberets, the early circus, vineyards, and the genesis of avant-garde art and lifestyle. Go to the Montmartre museum for a delightful presentation of this history. It affords the only opportunity to walk through the vineyard.
Never come to Paris without spending at least one day on Butte Montmartre. We had the perfect weather day, and I hope you will when you visit. Get beyond the mobs of people and the souvenir shops. Go behind the scenes to the beginning fabric of Parisian life.
Happy Memorial Day weekend!
L & B
May 28, 2023 @ 9:21 am
Oh I love the shot you got of that opening we found with the view through to a garden! The busiest I’ve seen Montmartre and Paris! Always love this day though! I agree the “off the beaten path” is worth exploring…shaded areas too. Helps to have such great guides!
May 28, 2023 @ 9:42 am
I love the shot of Carson with his arm around me looking out at Paris!
May 28, 2023 @ 10:23 am
Absolutely Spectacular! I felt like I was there enjoying one of my favorite places! Great photos and your daughter and grandson are beautiful and handsome!
May 28, 2023 @ 11:03 am
Love your photos! What a joy to have Natalie and her son. I taught her at Grissom and so loved and enjoyed her. She hasn’t changed one bit.🌻
May 28, 2023 @ 11:10 am
What a wonderful day! Perfect weather! Your collective group of photos are perfect. You all captured many of the beloved sights of Montmartre. Love that place!
May 28, 2023 @ 11:11 am
Even before I read Natalie’s comment, my choice for photo of the day, perhaps of the whole visit, was that doorway to the garden! It should be a painting. Beautiful!
May 28, 2023 @ 11:37 am
Delightful photos! You covered a lot of territory. I’ve never seen those curb-straddling stools before. Very clever. I have to tell you that we saw a young man in our little Italian town this morning wearing a pink t-shirt under his black leather jacket. I wasn’t quick enough to catch a photo.
May 28, 2023 @ 12:09 pm
The scenes I’ve waited for!!! Montmartre my fav also. It may not fit coming from a clergy wife, but I’d like the card game with wine on steps of church considered as joy of life entry! Love so many of these but you and Carson looking over Paris is tops!!!
May 28, 2023 @ 5:19 pm
That’s my favorite as well!
May 28, 2023 @ 12:17 pm
Too many good things to pick out one to comment on. Montmartre is always the best day. Natalie and the Kid top it off. You’re on the top of your game today. Thanks
May 28, 2023 @ 12:29 pm
Great pics of a place that we have visited on both our trips to Paris!!!!! Natalie is so right, great guides take you to some of the most iconic but “off the beaten path”!!!!! Enjoy your excursion to Normandy, it is so memorable in so many ways!!!!!!
May 28, 2023 @ 1:16 pm
Great photos again.
Love that part of the city
May 28, 2023 @ 9:22 pm
Great pictures…
My absolute favorite of this blog entry is the one of U and Bernie with Carson doing a photo bomb -‐ made me laugh! Of course, the one of U and Carson was sweet. And EVERY pic of NATALIE is beautiful!
May 29, 2023 @ 1:08 am
Thank you MsBrinkley!!! 🙂
May 29, 2023 @ 5:50 pm
Montmartre was such a favorite memory and now you are to a Normandy…another
unforgettable day!
I know you are enjoying showing all of this to Natalie and son!!
hugs
May 29, 2023 @ 5:51 pm
All the photos are just lovely, and take me there with you. What a treat to share with your family. I am happy you are doing better. Take care!
May 29, 2023 @ 6:28 pm
I’ve had been to Montmartre many times but never le musée de Montmartre. Then on a trip with my daughter we decided to pop in. Best decision ever! The crowds and noise immediately fall away and you are in this quiet garden with gorgeous views. I could not get over the serenity of the place where just minutes before we were being jostled by the crowds. Well worth a visit even if you don’t stop in to see the artwork.
May 29, 2023 @ 9:18 pm
I suggested it but was not something others wanted to do. It is a lovely place, I agree.