The Metro

One of the places I insisted Michael see was the Abbesses Metro Station. Located in Montmartre, the walls lining the stairs have traditionally been covered with original paintings that dazzle the eye and make the hike either up or down the stairs worth the trip. During my last trip, I was discouraged to note that the paintings had been damaged by graffiti. But this time, I was even more distressed to discover that the paintings have been replaced by photographic murals of Montmartre. Not that they aren't lovely, but it is such a loss! Still, this station boasts one of the two Metro stations that retain the glass cover at the entrance. So it was still special.

This system of transport is so accessible, relatively inexpensive and very efficient. We used it to get everywhere, and we never had to wait more than five minutes for a train.