This morning we headed off the Pere Lachaise, which was on the top on Melinda's list (due to an inability to visit it when she came to Paris in high school) and way on the bottom of my list (due to my dislike of the neighborhood).  We trekked out to the  cemetery, which is quite a lengthy subway ride from our place.  Aidan was creeped out by the graves (I think he had death/memorial overload at the catacombs), so he and I decided to go to a cafe right next door to Pere Lachaise while Melinda explored the graves.  She's currently sleeping, so when she's awake she can write about what she saw and upload her pictures.  

For those unfamiliar with the area, it's not the nicest in Paris.  This is the view from Pere Lachaise's gates: 

at least Super Boris lives there.

While we were at the cafe, a fight broke out w. no warning what so ever at the table RIGHT next to us.  Aidan and I had to actually run from the table.  The police were called.  We went back to the cememtery, which was only about 100 feet away from the cafe to wait for Melinda.  

As soon as she was finished, we took the train to Montmartre, which is one of my most favorite areas of Paris.  I'd wanted to stay here, but we chose an area that is much more centrally located.  Aidan rode the double-decker merry go round 

and then we all went up to Sacre Coeur.  

Melinda took the funiculaire and Aidan and I walked up the steps.    Well, I walked up the stairs and Aidan walked a combo of stairs and hill...

We all enjoyed the view and loved sitting on the steps looking down at Paris.

We all walked through the church and Melinda visited the crypt.  She considered walking up to the dome but her stair PTSD kicked in... Afterward, we walked through Montmartre, which is a very picturesque and hilly neighborhood.  We had lunch across the street from the Moulin Rouge.  I can't believe how much the area has changed since I was last here (I usually stay in this area).  Now there's even a Starbucks, which makes me sad.

View from our cafe

Since the luggage fiasco had cut our time at the Musee d'Orsay short, we went back there today.  The Musee d'Orsay is housed in a former train station and contains an amazing collection of Impressionist, Neo-Impressionist, and Pre/Post Impressionist works.  The main floor (formerly the train tracks) is a sculpture garden.  The side chambers are filled with paintings, photographs, and other art objects, including housewares and furniture.  You can't take pictures inside the museum, but we managed to sneak a few--we were just sure not to snap any of the paintings!  

Aidan loved the comfy couches and the view from inside the clock.  We also really enjoyed the terrace, which overlooks the Seine and the Louvre.  Melinda managed to not make it out to the terrace-- they actually let the person in front of her go out onto it and then told her it was closed!  Ah, France!

Aidan was a big fan of these giant hands/chairs