Paris, Day 16

Today we did a little tour around the place du Tertre where, now that it is April, the restaurants have expanded themselves into the middle of the square and the tourists squeeze themselves into the now reduced space.  We sat at one of the cafes and had a coffee.  Not, of course, that one is exploited, but two coffees cost eleven euros and even with the solid Australian dollar that translates to just over fifteen dollars and with a modest tip this is still a very expensive cup of coffee.  But, as they say in the real estate industry, "location, location, location."  Aint it the truth anywhere in the world.  But the flowers were beginning to come out in the first really warm day we were having - it got to 24 C today.

Flowers and crowds

Just crowds on the butte

As we left the cafe to navigate the 192 steps down to our street, we heard drums and saw the procession of La Commanderie du Clos Montmartre. Montmartre's vineyards date from 390 B.C., but the vines in the current Clos Montmartre (between rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent right behind the museum) were planted in 1929. Every year, during the first week of October, Montmartre's Harvest Festival, La Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre is celebrated with a parade, wine-tasting booths, food stalls, music, and dancing in the streets.We're not sure why they were marching today, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Marchers

Drummers

We enjoyed a formal afternoon tea with a friend in our apartment block.  It was very pleasant but a bit difficult since Monsieur speaks only French.  An interesting experience in the formalities of France.

Virginia is now doing her homework and I am just about to finish this blog!