Friday, September 9. Discovered our train tickets to Bordeaux tomorrow were cancelled. Told that I’d cancelled them. I butt-dialed the cancellation? I doubt it. I rebooked, for twice the price. Sounds like a scam.

Took subway to Montmartre, the highest point in Paris. Apparently subways can’t go up, because the station’s exit was an endless spiral staircase. To get to Sacre-Coeur basilica we took a very short funicular that rose less than the climb out of the subway station. Basilica is new, relatively speaking (1917). It is the only church I’ve ever seen with a clock inside. In the back. I can imagine small children repeatedly turning around to check the time during services. The view outside is a sweeping panorama of Paris.

The neighborhood is a tourist haven. Disguised water tower, Irish bar, windmill, Moulin Rouge, artists, and souvenir shops X 100.

Next was the Arc de Triomphe. Very imposing. Crazy driving. Lane lines would just be a distraction. Paid to climb a spiral staircase to the top. Another great view. Had lunch (fish and chips, plus Salmon tartare), then visited Angelina’s, a well known pastry dining stop. Yoriko bought something that was prettier than it was tasty.

Wandered through streets of wall-to-wall cafes. A few butcher and fish shops. Many more chocolate and wine shops. Why everyone in France isn’t overweight is a mystery. Had Italian for dinner again. Walked out to the Point Neuf Bridge for sunset. Nice way to cap off our visit.