Day 3: Montemartre, Eiffel, Champs Élysées, Friday Night French Party!

Being a Friday, a long day (and night!) was in the offing when I woke up early... After a quick but heavy breakfast, I was off to my first stop for the day - The stunning - Montemartre. A hill with a view of the city of Paris, and a serene Church (two actually) on top, is a MUST-GO for anyone coming to Paris.

Why?
1. Absolutely fantastic view of the city
2. Beautiful Church, try to go at the time of a service, good music
3. Loads of tourist attractions, people playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, robot-mimicking, statue-mimicking, etc etc.
4. A walk around the village by the left side of the main church, beautiful little buildings adorned with colourful flowers and decorations

And that's why its a MUST-GO in Paris.

I spent a good two hours exploring the site, with about 45 minutes just sitting inside the Church and soaking in the atmosphere - breathtaking!

Then it was time to head to the 'most beautiful avenue in the world' - The Champs-Élyées.

Taking a walk along it gives an India Gate kinda feeling (with the Arc d'Triomphe). Only, you have restaurants and several chic stores for company, not to mention the well-maintained trees. It was a bit of a longish walk but got over quicker then how long it seemed it would take. At Place de la Concorde, The Obelisk at the other end - a monument that our ol' friend, Mr. Napolean stole from Egypt and brought back to France - stands tall & pretty in the middle of what felt to me like the biggest traffic junction, in terms of size.

After the long walk, with food interspersed somewhere in between, I headed to that place, um, I forgot the name... tower something.. Eye-fill..

And fill your eyes it does... I had of course seen it on the previous day on the walk along the Seine, but only once I got there and stood under it did its sheer size strike me. The top half of the Tower seems stunted though, somehow I had always pictured its proportions differently in my mind.

The gardens right in front of it seemed like a nice place to relax and spend a summer afternoon, especially if you're coming along with your family.

With sunset nowhere in sight even at 7.30 pm, I headed to a friend's place for a typical French party with Wine, Champagne, Cheese, Salad & French music!

The occasion - she'd passed her driving test - after spending about 3000 euros for the driving lessons et al...!

What a waste of money I say... I got mine for 700 rupees (that's 10 euros), and have been learning how to drive since :-P Just kidding... (About the pic, yes, if I remember correctly - hah fat chance :-P - that's Carla Bruni, she was also invited to our party!) Smoked salmon with Tzaziki sauce is the most awesome snack to go with wine, if you've not tried it, you're not yet ready to die, coz its one of the things to do on the list of 'Awesome foods to taste before you die' !!

Sleep came at around 4 am, I think... But it was good and set me up for Super-Saturday!