"J'adore Paris" a Paris Travel Page by Razorart

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I first went to Paris last May/June and loved it so much that I had to return a mere 7 months later.

Sigh. What can I say? It is one of the most inspiring cities I have ever been to. Sights that made me glad that I am alive:

Standing at the top of Notre Dame and looking at the view and the gargoyles. Such a treat after about a mile or so of very narrow steps (I could not rid myself of the idea that a rat would be running up or down and there would be nowhere for me to escape. I think I may have had a panic attack).

Seeing the series of Monet's Rouen cathedral paintings at Musee d'Orsay, as well as Degas' absinthe lady painting.

The view from the top of Sacre Coeur (another hike up more stairs to the church which is the highest point of Paris and then up another flight of winding narrow stairs to the very top. Later that day we got very lost in Montmartre, which has more stairs and hills, as we were looking for the elusive Salvadore Dali museum. We finally found it after an hour of stairs and more stairs).

Pere Lachaise cemetery. Even more amazing than my favorite cemeteries in New Orleans. Famous folks like Jim Morrison, Gertrude Stein, Moliere, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Sarah Bernhardt are buried here.

The catacombs at Denfert Rochereau. To get to them, one descends down yet another winding staircase under the ground and then walk about 1/2 a mile to the center where there are skulls upon skulls upon bones upon bones. Some in interesting configurations. They are placed in historical order. There are many victims of the Revolution buried (well, piled) there. On our way out of the catacombs, our bags were searched to make sure we hadn’t taken any souvenirs with us. “Oh, that skull? I entered with it already in my bag, officer.”