Église St. Eustache

Notre Dame 2

Though I had been disappointed that I wouldn't get to see any shows while I was in Paris (Portishead played 2 sold out nights in the city while I was there!), hearing the bells of Notre Dame go off while I admired the views from the top of the South tower was a musical experience I'll never forget.

Notre Dame 1

Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise

I started my last day of sightseeing in Paris bright and early in the morning for a trip to the Pere Lachaise cemetery. It's a vast and sprawling city of the dead, with a population that boasts a who's who of famous artists, writers, composers/musicians, and poets. Without a map, it's easy to get lost. I could've easily spent several hours there, enjoying the peace and quiet solitude of the place, but we were on a schedule and had to take our leave much too early. Guess there's always next time.

Musée National Gustave Moreau

Tucked away in a nondescript street in the 9th arrondissement of Paris is the Gustave Moreau museum. It's essentially his home/workspace turned into a showplace. You walk up a flight of stairs to his flat, with all the rooms left just as they were during his time, complete with furniture and decor. Another flight of steps takes you to his studio/gallery space, upon whose walls hang many of his paintings, both finished and unfinished. And above that is another floor of studio space with more artwork, accessible via a gorgeous spiral staircase. I wish I lived there. It's a beautiful little museum.