Final day in Paris

On our final day in Paris we ventured out to Versailles. Apparently every other tourist decided to do the same as throngs of people joined us! July 14 is also Bastille Day holiday, which added to the festivities.

Versailles is a grand and sweeping magnificence that never ends. The palace's gaudy elegance and the gardens' manicured acres simply astound the eyes.

Louis XIV greets visitors

Hundreds queue up, trying to stay cool in the heat

Photos from palace rooms:

The Hall of Mirrors

The view from my new summer residence (just kidding)

Puffs of plumes decorate the top corners of Louis' bed.

Royal seats by Marie Antoinette's bed

A Fragonard in the Hall of Battles

Photos from the gardens & grounds:

As far as the eyes can see --

Taking a break

Boat rentals on the 'pond'

Marie Antoinette's cottages

Goats by M.A.'s barn

Veggie garden

Ducks and fish vie for attention (and crumbs).

Lots of walking -- no problem for pilgrims!

By late afternoon the earlier crowd by the 'golden gate' entrance/exit had vanished.

After returning to the apartment for a fromage and baguette sandwich, we walked over at 10:30 to Sacre Coeur to watch Bastille Day fireworks. Although this vantage point sounded good, only a few sparkles in the distance could be seen.

The basilica stood out against the deep blue evening sky.

Tomorrow morning we fly from Paris to San Diego via JFK in New York. I'll post some concluding thoughts after returning, along with 'reshaping' and adding information in the weeks to come.

Until then, Au Revoir, Adios, & Buen Camino! 

Dad's birthday in Paris

To celebrate Dad's birthday, July 13, we spent a relaxing day in Montmartre. After purchasing tickets for Versailles tomorrow, we enjoyed a birthday lunch at a French bistro near the apartment. Seated on one side of us were French cousins whose grandfather had walked the Camino 4 times and written a book about his experiences. On the other side was an American group of women currently working in Germany -- one had lived in Poway (in the San Diego area).

The cafe was appropriately located on a street named "Albert."

After lunch we wandered through Montmartre, eventually stopping at the Musee de Montmartre, a 17th c. manor and the area's oldest building. Artists Auguste Renoir and Raoul Dufy, among others, had studios here. Work by Toulouse-Lautrec and Modigliani was also featured.

At the Musee a resident black cat sat on a window sill. The cat looked similar to 'chat noir' images seen in Montmartre prints from the 19th c. (below, upper right).

Adjacent to the Musee is a vineyard -- grapes are harvested in the fall, and the wine made is auctioned off for charity.

Images from our walk:

Pretty in Pink

Say cheese

          

A whimsical window display

The famous Moulin Rouge -- a bit touristy but Dad wanted to see this building, especially after reading about its history at the Musee.

The day's celebration ended with a bite at a cafe & then stopping at a market to get snacks for tomorrow & Monday, our departure date.

Happy birthday Dad! It was fun to celebrate with you in Paris!

Santiago to Paris

July 11: The last day in Santiago

In the morning we stopped by the Pilgrims' Office to say "hi" to Johnnie Walker, a Scottish pilgrim who lives in Santiago and organizes the office's 'welcome' greeters. This group of volunteers helps to answer questions, award Compostelas, and listen to walkers' stories of their journey. I know Johnnie from pilgrim forums and his Camino blog.

French bulldogs in Spain

There was an evening concert at Plaza de Quintana adjacent to the Cathedral.

July 12: Bonjour, Frances!

On the flight to Paris today there were other walkers, including Carol, a psychology professor from S. Africa who walked from St. Jean to Santiago, and Johnny from Sacramento, who will soon start medical school. We met Carol at the Pilgrims' Mass in Santiago and Johnny on the first day back in Navarrenx. He had walked part of the Le Puy route last year, and this year completed the trek to Santiago & Finisterre. He's also a basketball fan, so Dad was excited to talk hoops with him.

In Paris we stayed at an airbnb apartment located in Montmartre near the Sacre-Coeur Basilica (Sacred Heart Basilica). The apartment is owned by Jeff Russell, an American who lives in Paris. Jeff had bicycled Camino del Norte and the Portugese route, and his mom had walked Camino Frances. He's a photographer & documentary filmmaker who records areas of conflict, including Iraq, and recently spent time in San Diego where he met with Iraqi refugees who have resettled in the U.S. 

Streets not far from the apartment and on the way to Sacre-Coeur

Climbing up to the basilica

Montmartre's many stairs offer good Camino conditioning.

Ode to painter Wayne Thiebaud at the boulangerie/patisserie below the apartment

The bakery had lots of French bread besides pastries of course!

Cafe chanteuse

Sacre-Coeur

Neighborhood cafes were full of locals and tourists savoring a summer evening.