Favorite Parisian Monument??

People ask me what my favorite Parisian Monument is... although there is alot of competition nothing says Paris like the Eiffel Tower.  Believe it or not, it is possible to have bad days when living in France.  Sometimes it can be very difficult to be so far away from home and all the people I love (read: mom, dad, Stevie) I was having one of those days last week and the best thing I could do is go to see the Tour Eiffel up close and be swept away by its epic size and shape. The sheer beauty of Paris's main landmark is enough to bring me back to the reality of just how lucky I am to be living here.  This particular day, I turned to my friend Christie and said "Do you realize what a trip our lives are?!" It just never gets old..  

When we first arrived that day

No matter how many times I see it, it never loses its beauty.  I had to edit at least one into a black and white ;)

Little Me

View from under

As the sun was setting...

After the sun set and they lit it up.. you must wait to see it transform from day to night

Sacre Coeur

Over the weekend I went to Montmartre with my friend Abbie.  Montmartre is absolutely one of my favorite places in Paris and not just because Amelie was filmed there ;) The area in the 18th arrondissement is quaint but busy and full of life.  If you get off the beaten path you can find some amazing spots to enjoy a cafe without giving in to the typical brasserie picks. Additionally, it is always nice to get away from the tourists.  (Now after 5 months I consider myself a local.. hehe) Montmartre is also known for great vintage/consignment shopping.

I have strolled and shopped in the area and viewed Sacre Coeur from a distance many times before but didn't walk up the hundreds of stairs to get to the church itself.  Mostly because as with most tourist traps, the appeal is lost in the tons of tourists and people selling plastic Eiffel Towers key chains and other cheesy articles. Plus, the "vendors" are quite intimidating and won't take no for an answer. Often attaching things to unsuspecting tourists and then badgering them for money.  Of course my friends and I know to stay away from these traps. (These problems are the biggest annoyance in living in one of the most visited cities in the world)  

There are many relics and practices in Paris because of the devout Catholic history in France.  For example, the public schools still serve fish on Fridays.  Anyway, back to my original rambling... the tens of times I've passed Sacre Coeur I've always stopped and stared at it from the summit of the butte Montmartre. It one of the most beautiful monuments I have ever seen and it gives St Paul's Cathedral (London) a run for its money.  This time, wanting to take pictures for you all, I took the hike and took pictures from a few different angles.  Here they are! Enjoy 

View from the summit

Playing tourist

Abbie and me at the start of our day

Vendor with souvenirs

Violinist playing outside Sacre Couer

Photo from Marche de Noel ... (Christmas market)

Come December in Paris there are tons of Christmas markets featured in all the arrondissements and in our villages.  For example, Saint Germain en Laye has a marche de noel as do the villages surrounding it.  Some people go to different ones throughout the month. They are always on the weekends and usually once or twice on the weekdays, the same as the regular markets. They feature typical winter food and vin chaud (warm sweet wine).  They also sell crafts, leather goods, hats, toys, and etc.  

In my opinion, the food was the best part.  Raclette is a cheese that is melted and typically served with cured meats, potato and baguette. It is a common winter food for the French.  You must drink wine with Raclette to help digest the cheese enzymes.  In fact, they advise that you don't drink any water with it... At this particular Marche de Noel in La Defense they had raclette sandwiches! YUMMMM!!!

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 Our very own Raclette sandwich..

 My friend Christie (from South Africa) with ours :) 



There was tons of food (as per usual in France)

Scoping out the leather goods

These chocolates were very yummy! They had a light chocolate shell with a fluffy filling inside. Only 1 euro... which is good for the Au Pair's budget 

 A Patisser doing what he does best...

                            Meat and Cheese