As part two of my 21st birthday weekend, Ollie and I decided to head up to Montmartre and take a look at Sacra Cœur.
I didn’t manage to get a lot of photos because, if I’m honest, the day was a bit of a long disaster. The Paris Techno Festival (yeah… what?) filled the streets of the 5th and 6th, with flying glass bottles and topless, painted men blocking the roads, for some reason the metro line through Chatelet wasn’t running so everyone had to get off there, and everywhere was absolutely swarming with tourists. Swarming. Although, it is Paris at the end of summer and what did we really expect?
When we finally made it to Sacra Cœur we dipped into monoprix for a drink and a snack and set to work climbing the hill. The hill is massive, but the stairs are okay – and if you really aren’t up for it, there is a cablecar/lift service. The only real problem with the climb, however, are the hoards of men trying to sell you rubbish. Obviously they’re all over Paris – massive metal rings with Eiffel Towers jangling, etc. – but oh my goodness the guys at Sacra Cœur physically grab you by the arm and do not let go unless you quite physically remove yourself. It’s actually pretty scary. Being grabbed on the shoulder by a guy trying to sell you a crap friendship bracelet and refusing to let go? Arrghh. Kinda ruins the whole thing if I’m honest.
The view from the top is, however, stunning. Literally all of Paris spread out before you! We were so lucky that the rain and clouds had cleared up by the time we got there because we could really see for miles. So I guess it wasn’t all bad.
I’m probably being too harsh, as always. The church itself really is beautiful – it just would be even better without being constantly scared of attack.
P.S. nettle&blackberry now has its own facebook page! Take a look here.
0
Cherie
Dang, too bad about the harassing men through up the climb to Sacre Coeur! I couldn’t make the climb because I was sick and so tired, so just took the cable car up! I went at night and the lights were so pretty 🙂 ahh makes me miss Paris so. The weather looked lovely for your birthday weekend though, so yay!
Cherie / sinonym
Imii Mace
They were honestly so awful! I’m so jealous of the cable car (but I’m sorry to hear you were unwell)
The weather truly was gorgeous! Thank you xx
B Shannon
Ah looks gorgeous!! Shame about the people selling things…
Becky Shannon xx – Life-by-Becky
Imii Mace
Thank you! Yeah – they were just so scary it kinda ruined the whole thing! xx
Aimee Julia
Your post reminds me of a trip I took up a mountain in Spain. When we made it to the top, where there was a little cafe and stunning views, there were 5 or more hunters sat outside, big, loaded guns in their laps! We stayed for a very quick drink then legged it. Hunters/harassing men, all ruin an experience. But at least you got to the see the lovely views, and had some good weather! Your photos make me so jealous.And I’ve given you a like on Facebook 🙂 X
Imii Mace
Thank you! and thank you for the like (:
I’ve never been to Spain but I know it’s amazing and I’d love to see views like that (: You’re right though, people can really ruin little trips like that 🙁 xx
Katie Louise
Oh that view really is beautiful! Those guys selling stuff have to be the worse thing about visiting other countries like this though. I remember going to Turkey and they were awful. It does ruin the experience when you’re constantly being put on edge!
Imii Mace
You literally spend your whole trip staring straight ahead angrily and grasping your bag like your life depends on it. It really ruins everything!
That said, the view was gorgeous and was certainly worth it. I guess its swings and roundabouts! xx