This Fire

Sacre Coeur has the best views in Paris. Not only is it on Montmartre, a high point in Paris, but someone had the insight to build a much larger structure on it. The climb is also interesting in its own right as you wind up and around a one hundred year-old church.

Also, when part of Paris on fire, this view exudes fascination.

It was a gorgeous day in Paris. I was taking my visiting uncle for a trip up the church. Things were going quite well, not that much else was expected.

From the base of the basilica, you can see much of Paris. Looking over the landscape, there was a large plume of smoke in mid Paris. No matter the significant percentage of Parisians that still light up, this is not normal.

We ascend. The initial stairwell is the longest stretch of steps out of the 300 in total. Daylight again, you climb for a bit on the roof of the building. You have some decent views here, but the dome is the best. One more stairwell and you are there.

The dome allows one to spot landmarks with ease. The opera building has an enormous fly space and twin gold statues that beckon your eyes. Smoke is drifting toward it from the east.

I live east of the opera.

In fact, I live right near the source.

I text my roommate, “did you set a fire?”

He responds, “too much effort.”

This is good news on two counts. My apartment is not on fire and my roommate is not an arsonist.

When it is not your direct concern there is a mantra here:

Ce n’est pas ma probleme.

We enjoy the views of the rest of Paris (the parts not on fire). We descend and find an Irish pub to have a drink. There is an unofficial rule in Paris that each church must have an Irish pub nearby. Also, they have beer.

Later viewing confirmed that a restaurant in our neighborhood caught fire. The fire was somewhat substantial and closed a city block for several hours. The restaurant and my grocery store are now remodeling.