The view back

From the top looking back at the path I had just ascended.

Climbing the Sacre Coeur dome

The stairs up to the dome were open today. I had to climb 300 steps up a spiral staircase made from stone and with very little headroom. The climb was kinda freaky, but the view from the top was worth it.

Inside Sacre Coeur

You are not allowed to take pictures of the inside of the main church. However, you can walk down in to the "crypt", which is basically the basement level with the same size area and just as many altars as the primary level. Here is one of the altars:

Sacre Coeur at last

I finally made it to the top of the stairs. The entire church is made of Travertine stone and apparently took 40 years to build. At the top it is protected by statues of Joan of Arc and King Louie IX, and some gargoyles.

More Sacre Coeur stairs

I am closer, but there still more stairs, beggars, street musicians, hustlers, and tourists to navigate!
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Sacre Coeur stairs

As Joe Holko used to say, there's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Fortunately, Sacre Coeur is not far from the Moulin Rouge. My penance will begin by climbing the thousand steps.........
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Sexodrome

The Moulin Rouge has many similar establishments nearby. This one has animated mannequins in the windows showing how to use their products.
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Moulin Rouge

After walking through the cold cemetery, I think I'll head into this place to warm up.
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More Montmartre sights.

This "small city" is full of fascinating sites. I need to come back with a real camera. I especially liked the statues made of the persons interned below and the contrast of new sites next to very old ones.

Emile Zola

Even though this is a very old cemetery, it is still receiving new residents. Emile Zola died in 1902, but a member of his family was added in 2005.
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