A HISTORY STROLL



Steps at Montmarte


We had to be up and showered with breakfast over before 9.00 this morning as the sign on the front door of the apartment block told us the plumber was turning the water off in the building between 9 and 6pm. 
We took a metro to Arenis de Lutece, the remains of a Roman Arena from the late second century, Lutetia was the Roman name for Paris.  It was rediscovered in 1860s and was partly rebuilt in the 1900s.  It was much larger than we expected and the acoustics were still excellent.  Ian tested them out!!!   As we walked out we came across a film crew setting up to film a scene so we stood and watched for a while.  Just as they were doing the second take a lady walked past so they continued filming with her included.   Nearby is Rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets (or roads) in the city and was once part of the major thoroughfare in Roman times from Paris to Rome.  The street was paved in great cobblestone that seemed to curve around. 
We then caught another metro (or four) across the city to Montmarte.  We really had our monies worth on the one 1.25 euro ticket.  We had lunch in a little cafe near the long stairs leading up to Sacre Cour.  I then tried to photograph these stairs again but it is not the same in daylight as at night.  For once the sun was shining and there were lots of shadows to contend with.  We then walked up to the top and wandered around Montmarte again.  The artists were out in full force today and there were lots of people around the Tetre area.  Most were taking photos although some were buying art or having their portraits drawn.  There is some great paintings here and the people doing the drawings were great to watch.
We could see the black clouds coming over fast so came back down to the metro and home.  It had already rained on our side of the city by the time we arrived. 

A section of Arenis de Lutece