Start to Finish…A Wild Wonderful Day at Montmartre
Bonjour mes amis,
Montmartre needs a beautiful weather day…check! Montmartre needs a dose of high energy…check. Montmartre needs some planning…not so much! I failed to realize that this past weekend was the wine festival or Fete du Vendages.
Our “plan” was to start at 10am and make the 11am mass at Le Sacre Coeur. When the subway car was packed, I knew something was afoot. We walked all the steps up to the top and the crowds grew larger. The line to get into the church was already circled around in a double row and the surrounding area was packed with food vendors from all over France with everything imaginable, mostly wine! Montmartre was as busy as I’ve ever seen it. We’ve attended the Festival once before, but I think because the weather was so gorgeous (in the low 70’s) that all of Paris decided to come out after such dreary fall weather. The throngs were probably more local, not just tourists, as this is a beloved event.
At any rate, we were about 12 minutes late for mass which was also jammed. I was shocked at the number of people! Paula and Tim are devoted Catholics so this was so very special for them. After communion, we toured the church and captured some great “light” photos, especially the signature image at the top of the blog, the window with the Sacred Heart. This is a basilica, not a cathedral, and if memory serves me correctly, represents a combination of several congregations and serves the entire area. It was a very high mass according to the Steigerwald’s. Bernie’s take was that he had never seen so much incense! 
After a relaxing lunch at Chez Plumeau (away from some of the crowd), we toured the art market with success. Then did our usual walk around arduously because of the throngs of people. All afternoon, we were at it, snapping some fun photos, stopping for refreshment at Le Moulin de la Galette, the famous spot with the windmill, representative of old Montmartre. Then we toured all the food vendors with much enjoyment, a little wine, a little more wine and a few charros which we all enjoyed, thanks to Tim. We had planned to stay until dark, had a bite of dinner at La Mere Catherine, fought our way down the steps through the mobs to the subway. These kinds of crowds are really the only thing that frighten me in Paris, and it was a bit testy. What an experience for Paula and Tim! We rode a stop or two down the subway, got off to see Le Moulin Rouge in the red light district and hightailed ourselves home. We laughed about how young the crowd was, not many our age. It’s what keeps us young, I suppose. 
Fabulous day for them and a true Parisian experience!
À bientôt!
L & B
P.S. If you don’t have our book, “Bernie’s Paris,” please get a copy from Amazon. It has a great description on Montmartre which happens to be my favorite spot in all of Paris. Think I must have been a Bohemian somewhere in my past!!!
October 14, 2019 @ 8:52 am
What a day(s) you’ve had — congratulations to all on Montmartre yesterday, and wasn’t the weather something! I can’t bear the hordes either, especially on the metro, but glad you made it to the mass and enjoyed Chez Plumeau (I love it, and their cheese board, thanks to you!) and the festival. Linda you must definitely have Montmartre in your DNA 🙂
Always love the photos and it’s also lovely to see both L&B in some — guess we have Tim to thank for his people photos! Merci Tim and happy Paris Monday all.
October 14, 2019 @ 6:29 pm
Thanks, Carolyn! We did the Eiffel Tower today because of the good weather. Stood in line for two and a half hours! Couldn’t get the same-day tix off the web site.
October 14, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
Très bien (despite the horrid-sounding line)! You guys have patience! but la Dame de Fer is popular for a reason. Well done and look forward to your next post.
October 14, 2019 @ 12:04 pm
The signature photo of stained glass is show-stopping. Definitely your next book cover. And, oh, the cheese!
October 14, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
Bernie captured the window of the sacred heart with his camera. Truly beautiful.
October 14, 2019 @ 12:07 pm
What a wonderful visit to your ( and my) favorite place! The street shots are wonderful and they convey the energy of the day. So glad the weather was perfect.
October 14, 2019 @ 6:26 pm
It was so much busier than our day with you guys! Good and bad…
October 14, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
What a fabulous day. So many experiences and memories made. Paris does indeed have it all. With so much walking you can keep on eating. Loved reading.
October 14, 2019 @ 6:25 pm
Merci!
October 14, 2019 @ 1:17 pm
Great photos! What a great way for Paula and Tim to celebrate her recent retirement!
October 14, 2019 @ 6:25 pm
Yes, indeed!
October 14, 2019 @ 7:24 pm
I like the ‘typical Frenchmans’ jeans. He could probably design jeans rather than be an artist and make a mint. Again, very good pictures — lots of colors. But for me the grayish church with the black fence in front caught me eye. Glad Paula and Tim made it to the church on time – that made a very all inclusive full day. Thank you.
October 16, 2019 @ 1:54 am
What a very nice day you had! You look great in your red pants! Also loved Bernie’s shot of the stained glass window and the photo of the pink spiky flowers! Thanks for sharing your day with us!