Paris 4 - 5

Last night we enjoyed a Dinner Cruise on the Seine river. Luckily the rain cleared up so we got a good view out of our glass covered boat. The lady who was checking our ticket said we needed to pay an extra 15 Euro each to get a window seat. I did have a discussion with her about the fact this was never mentioned when I booked the ticket. We said no, but Karma, when we got on the boat we were immediately taken to a window seat 😆 Gave her a little wave as we left.
The cruise went for 75mins, we were served 3 courses and had live entertainment. We saw all the sights alongside the Seine and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
After our cruise we walked up The Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the Arc-de-Triomphe, even at 9pm there was no let up with the crowds.

Neil and I have been to Paris in 1991 when we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and Arc-de-Triomphe plus the Louvre so this time we focused on other activities.
This morning we walked uphill to the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur in Montmarte. On the way we had our morning coffee, they did not have any soy or oat milk (I am dairy intolerant) so I opted for an expresso. It came in a tiny cup but it was SO good, Paris might have converted me.
We walked up the 296 steps to the top of the Dome and got fabulous views of Paris, then I went into the Basilica. There was a service happening, I am always mesmerised by the singing, the acoustics in Cathedrals are next level. We were lucky when we arrived there was only about 20 people in the queue that went quickly, when we came out the line was VERY long. I have attached a video showing the queue.
I think the steps leading up to Sacre-Coeur are as famous as the building itself. There is a funicular for the less able bodied but we are always up to a challenge.
There were thousands of padlocks attached to the fence with lovers initials on them, I teased Neil he should have bought one of our travel padlocks and left it as a souvenir.
Spotted the Moulin Rouge on the way home.Read more