Sacré-Cœur rewards the climb with one of those views that make Paris seem almost impossibly…read morebeautiful. Walking up through Montmartre is good exercise in its own right, with the staircases near the top providing a wonderfully direct final approach as the white basilica rises above you. The surrounding neighborhood is beyond charming, and reaching the summit feels like a fitting culmination of exploring one of the city's most distinctive quarters. Once there, the sweeping view across Paris is spectacular, particularly from the broad steps beneath the basilica. The Romano-Byzantine architecture is striking up close, while the enormous gold mosaic inside gives you another reason to step away from the panorama and enter the church. Few places capture Paris quite so completely: beautiful architecture, a lively neighborhood, and that extraordinary city unfolding beneath you.

I've been to Montmartre a few times over the years and can't quite say whether I've been inside the…read moreSacré-Coeur. If I have, it was well over a decade ago, and I have seen many churches in the intervening years. What I do know is that I've stood outside it several times, to admire the church as well as the iconic view of Paris from its front steps. We had intended to go inside the basilica on our recent family visit, but we had a sick child and the line was long and exposed to the sun. There were a ton of people up there, as dense a crowd as we saw all trip, everyone trying to enjoy the same viewpoint. Luckily, there was plenty of that to go around. We spent some time admiring the city and taking pictures (my father-in-law's one souvenir was that we send him a family photo from Sacré-Coeur), then wound our way downhill through charming Montmartre. Maybe next time I'll venture into the church, but it's worth going just to walk around outside.

Quality/Quantity - Book your tickets EARLY!! Sells out often…read moreand quickly. See pictures. Famous, known for the stained glass windows!! See their website! Ambiance - See their website; I do not have the skills to take photos that will be better than theirs. Service - Fairly organized. Mostly self service other than entering. Price - 22 Euros, $25.50US per person. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success.

Saint-Chappelle was a quick 10 minute walk over from Notre Dame, so if you're visiting you can plan…read moreback to back trips there for efficiency. They are known for their stained glass windows. Back in ancient times, the upper levels were reserved for royalty and the kind and the lower level was for the palace staff. This portrayed the divine authority of medieval kings. We didn't make it in due to the long lines, but we did a quick walk by and admired the exterior.

We love this retired Pastor Van Binh Nguyen and his family because he, his wife, and family truly…read moreexhibit the love of Christ. We met them in 1989 when our ministry group was in Europe and he and his family graciously hosted us in his home. The churches he pastored were sweet and very loving. I still remember the beautiful service. I am certain the same loving spirit of the Lord is still there. God bless you, Pastor.