Because all of the museums were closed today, we were at a bit of a loss at what we should do. We woke to a crystal clear blue sky, packed a picnic and headed (all the way across Paris) to a fabulous park. Buttes Chau Mont is on the edge of Paris in the 20th district. It used to be a stone quarry. Now it's a haven. Steep hills covered in grass, beautiful flowers, tall trees and a river that runs through the bottom. We ate on the lawn. Cheese, salami, a baguette from the little corner shop, apples, and pretzels. After lunch S and E played out there energy on the playground. We walked to the vista, and them through the park down the the river. Just soaking up the sun and the people. It was such an amazing day to be there. The park was packed with Parisians, all just out having a day with their families. We have found the children of Paris. Hooray! Love being not the only mom in sight. Everyone was so pleasant and joyful and the mood was contagious.
We left the park and got a quick cafe-crem and rode the bus to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It is huge and so beautiful. I think it's interesting you can rent space here, in 10 year terms. Then if your decedents don't pay your rent when the bill comes due they move you out to free up the space. We saw the resting places for Chopin, Jim Morrison, and Oscar Wilde. Best of all the kids napped the entire time and woke happy and refreshed. We caught the bus back to the 4th (I know the bus is not as glamours as the Metro, but they are clean, efficient, easy to find and most importantly when you have a stroller or two - stair free).
We had dinner outside at a little cafe, and then walked a while by the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame. The city by dusk was buzzing with people all celebrating. Much like the feeling you get on the 4th of July.
Happy, worn-out kids showered and right to bed. We didn't see any major tourist sights, or eat in any fancy restaurants but for our family it was a perfect Parisian day.
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