Susan Jacobson

I did not have enough time in Paris - less than 24 hours. I had just enough time to visit the Eiffel Tower, see the Arc de Triomphe, walk down the Champs-Elysses, and walk around Montmartre, the neighborhood where by hotel was located. My feet were killing me from so much walking, but I treated myself to the most fantastic French food for lunch and dinner - wine, cheese, baguette, warm goat cheese salad.



My hotel was in Montmartre, which was the most beautiful of the Paris neighborhoods that I saw. Montmartre is built on a hill, and you navigate the levels by climbing the steps. At the top of the hill, the highest point in the city, is Sacre Coeur a Roman Catholic church built around 1900. Sacre Coeur is famous, in part, because it was built with donations from French citizens, and survived bombings during World War 2. It is a huge gathering spot in the evenings, where everyone hangs out, plays guitar, drinks and drugs, and makes out. I was propositioned several times near Sacre Coeur.



What can I say about the Paris Metro? The Philadelphia and New York systems are modern but filthy. The Paris system is genteely going to seed. I wanted to take photos of the Paris subway system and its denizens - straight out of La Boheme - but I did not want to offend anyone. Perhaps next time, when I have more time to spend in Paris. ( See more photos of Paris here. )