Sacré-Coeur Steals the Show: Paris Pings Me a Heart Emoji
FRANCE
Round two of sightseeing was even more stunning. Zag, a connection made from ending up in Paris serendipitously, seemed filled with ideas of where to go, optimizing routes and doing quick breakaways to point out a famous this or that. Everything in Paris seems like it was, is, or could be world renowned. Seeking out the Moulin Rouge district was part of the escapade. I’d already seen the dazzling show on NYC’s Broadway and toyed around to indulge in it again on its home turf.
‘SoPi’ or South Pigalle was once the ‘former red-light district’, though rambunctious remnants remain. Each neighbourhood, or arrondissements, has its own palpable flavour. The middle artery of the street here was wide with benches on the side, intended for pedestrians to stroll and sit, thereby enabling both movement or rest.
The next district over, cobblestone roads with narrow offshoot streets brought alive images in movie scenes, as if by calling on the company of close companions, we could co-create that cozy feelz of Friends gathering at a cool cafe. Mom and pop shops lined the next streets. Soon, stores, art studios and boutique shops all beckoned the desire to peruse and pay attention to what was on display.
The ascent to the Basilica was manageable as we gandered and wandered. Winding around each bend, quaint shops and homes loomed like fashion models posing at different points along a runway. Each oozed with its own character, but also, came together to create the overall portrait of the Sacré-Coeur area.
I wondered what puzzle piece I played in the picture of my tribe and teams - was I a corner that could anchor the journey, a part of a repeating pattern that could be difficult to differentiate from my lot, or perhaps that piece that gets saved (purposefully or inadvertently) til the very end. Seeing as we all have a spot to sit in, how’s the fit of your current landscape?
Instead of bleak skies, the sun shone brightly and that made a distinct difference. The day seemed picture perfect, the photos showcased our fun and the vibe captured surreal and yet so rooted in the now. Sitting on the the solitaire Montmartre hill two hundred meters above the Seine, as the second highest point in Paris, the basilica offers spectacular views of the city and suburbs. Perched atop an apex left me not only in appreciation for the architectural structure itself, but also, grateful for the cascading steps and lookouts that added to the charm.
Following the the French Revolution, philanthropist Alexandre Legentil and the Bishop of Nantes, Felix Fournier, commiserated on the country’s moral decline. Since they viewed France's military defeat against Prussia in 1870 as divine punishment, Sacré-Coeur was proposed. In the ‘National vow’, the aspiration was articulated as a “promise to contribute to the erection, in Paris, of a sanctuary dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
From then till now, folks are drawn here and today was no exception. People were out and about, enjoying the day and festivities. A busker sang a classic, making this so lit - as if Sacré-Coeur wasn’t already a must see.
Little stands served up snacks and drinks to diminish whatever would be on one’s wish list. In the classic European manner, locks of lovers lined the gates as folks seized the day with emotions on display.
To whom do we send our heart emojis, when and on what occasion? I wondered if I was as generous in generating gobs of affection as Paris seemed to be dolling out through the spirit of Sacré-Coeur. We lingered a little longer there, soaking up the panoramic view, the sparkling sun and the wispy clouds …
On the descent, Chateau Rouge and Barbès marked the African and Arabic districts. Just a hop, skip, jump and train ride away, we found ourselves at Saint- Michel, the Latin Quarter, located on the left bank of the Seine. Named from the Latin language that was taught at many schools during the Middle Ages, it’s quite obvious that the historic district continues to draw many tourists.
The other heavy hitter on today’s tour was Cathédrale Notre-Dame. With a few years of construction under its belt, there’s still anticipated to be a few more to restore it to its pre-fire state. For the Olympic action, book vendors in front of the Seine and Notre-Dame were poised to pivot their perch for security reasons.
As the day wore on, we stopped for a quick bite less so because I was hungry and more so because the sidewalk cafes, however squished, are so cute. People watching is fascinating, particularly with all the pluralism that permeates in the hustle of people going parallel and perpendicular.
From the main monuments of the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Coeur, even though this was a Plan B trip, I felt as if Paris sent me a heart emoji, reminding me of why it’s ranked as one of the most romantic places on the planet.
May we have, give and receive heart emojis manifold,