Paris, jour deux~

Remember when I said that I found EVERYTHING interesting to shoot? Well, this post should help illustrate that a bit more clearly...

We did a LOT of walking in Paris. We could have taken the metro, or a taxi, and we did, a few times. But most often, we were far more interested in walking. There was so much to see!!!

The second day in Paris, Kasey, Simone, and I started off by heading out to visit Sacré Coeur. I had been to Paris three times before and yet had never made the trek up to see her, better yet go to the top and experience the incredible views. I honestly didn't even know you could go to the top. Clearly I wasn't aware of how one got there. Have I mentioned that I am claustrophobic...? Simone decided to stay at the bottom - possibly meet new friends, have her portrait painted. So many opportunities there. Kasey and I, however, in search of a particular photo opportunity (thank you Natasha for verifying where it was actually taken from - why the hell I didn't ask you before the trip is beyond me. You have no idea how much time was spent analyzing where it could have possibly been!).

~that is simone in the center with the orange purse waving at us!

We thought we might have to sneak up to the top, but shockingly, they actually had an accessible way up. So we paid for our passage and through the one way gate we went. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the stairway. A sign above clearly posted "300 steps up - 300 steps down". The number wasn't the issue. The size of the stairwell was...

Sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do for a photo, so up we went. I pretty much just held my breath and went for it. On one small landing, I shot a photo of Kasey in a doorway. She was considering hiding it it's dark depths until the next tourists came along so that she could scare them. Thank god one of us has the voice of reason constantly rolling in her head...

When we stepped out of the teeny, tiny, miniscule little stairwell into the fresh air I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief. The view was incredible and completely worth the trip. I had made it. I was victorious. (insert "we are the champions" music here) And then Kasey arrived on the little platform. And was so kind to inform me that there looked to be a little door ahead, leading to more stairs. We weren't *quite* at the top just yet. And look! The next stairwell was even smaller. and darker. and smaller...

We did however make it to the top, only to realize that this was clearly not where our beloved shot had been taken as it was too high a vantage point. It was however amazing and we spent time taking photos of the view, as well as each other.

We did make it back down in one piece, Simone was waiting for us with her new-found friend, and after a quick goodbye, the three of us were off again in search of adventure.

After we left Sacré Coeur, we headed to the Place du Tertre - a small square with local artists and fabulous crêpes. After a small "incident" with one of the local crazies, I found the sweetest artist who's work I loved (and of course brought home with me). I wanted to bring the artist home - he spoke to me in French and actually acted like he understood what I was saying. That alone is worth millions...

When we left the square, filled with our delicious lunch, we began walking down off of Montmartre and came across this darling little car. Kasey and I had been in search of a deux chevaux to take photos of and while she and I never found one (I did - in Toulouse, but that is a whole other story..) we did find this teeny little treasure.

We also found three men emptying out "the cave" of a residence. Apparently the cave is basically a basement. A treasure filled incredibly cool basement where the "garbage" that they clear out would be considered treasures in the states. Kasey and I were in pain. Literally. We racked our brains as to how we could get these fabulous old (really really old) doors and windows home. They were gorgeous. My stomach still hurts thinking about it. How about you Kase?

And then we walked. We passed so many beautiful doors...

~yes, I am wearing runners. after the first day I knew if I didn't, there wouldn't be a lot of walking and I really really wanted to walk! but for the record, there were some crazy fashions in Paris and I was NOT the only one wearing runners.

Cafés....

Rooflines..... Oh how I adore the rooflines!

Buildings....

Beautiful streets...

I loved these men playing boules in a park along the Seine. How incredibly cliché is that? They were playing along this gorgeous tree-lined pathway. Seriously - even pathways are just beautiful in Paris. I so need a little apartment there...

We did walk past the Louvre but didn't make it in as when you only have three days in such an incredible city, going indoors just doesn't seem like a good option. Especially when we had such gorgeous weather.

We did visit Fauchon with it's beautiful food, teas, spices, and treats. We stopped at Laduree to see their beautiful macaroons (which we bought the day before we left Paris).

However, my goal that day - the one destination that I COULD. NOT. MISS. was Dehillerin. The ONE place in all of Paris that I was DYING to visit. And it did not disappoint. Dehillerin will have a post all to itself, as it is worthy of it...

AFter all of our walking, we found this sweet little café that had the most delicious moules and fabulous wine. It was the perfect meal to wrap up our wonderful day exploring the city!