The Archaeological Crypt Notre Dame is located under Notre-Dame Cathedral square. In the 1960s construction of an underground car park unearthed a wealth of Roman and medieval architectural vestiges, and since it is Paris they made it into an exhibit, a museum in situ since the ruins were already in place.

When the Roman walls were built 20 centuries ago the level of the island was 7 meters below the current level.

The Crypte Archeologique contains the remains of Gallo-Roman Lutetia, including its third century BC walls, its streets and heating systems and even the ruins of a cathedral.

Some of the remains are medieval, dating to the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries and including a hospital.

The exhibit is not large but nicely presented. It is rather amazing to know that so much history lies under such a well-trod square.

We wanted to do the Tower Tour, but when we were here on Monday the line was around the block. We figured we had to get there early to stake out our spot, so we arrived just before 9:00am.

As we qued up we noticed a sign for "LINEBERTY! Let us stand in line for you". We went HUH?, and then a representative asked if we would be interested in trying the service. Seems this was the first day they were testing it at such a busy place. It was free so we said sure.

We downloaded their app, paid the tower admission to them and they gave us a ticket with our number. Then we could go do whatever we wanted and they would text me 14 minutes before we had to be back at the entrance.

It worked like a charm. Instead of just standing in line we could shop, get a coffee, or find a toilette - not always easy in these old cities.

The towers are worth the time, especially if you like cardio on stairs because there are around 400 of them, all up winding stairwells and all carved in stone.

Once you get to the top you have amazing views from the ramparts. Then you join another line to get into the upper tower. This is slow since they hold the number to about 20 at a time, but again so worth it.

Did I mention the Gargoyles and Chimera? Well these are just incredible. So many and so varied. Get whiplash trying to take it all in.

After descending the heights of the Notre Dame towers we decided to head underground and do the Paris Sewer tour.

Yes a tour of the sewer museum is on our list. If it was good enough for Victor Hugo to use as a setting for a great chase who are we to thumb our noses - or hold them.

The tour is self-guided. You read about the evolution of sewers from simple dumping to the modern system in place today.

As you wander through you hear the water rushing along - the waste section is not on the tour - and you see some of the equipment still used today to keep everything moving along.

In 1670 Louis XIV declared there should be a facility for aged and infirmed military and in true French fashion one was constructed on a grand scale.

It continued to be the home for retired and ill military until into the 20th century.

Today it still houses a small number of retired military, but it is better known as a memorial to French military leaders and the French arms.

Napoleon was entombed here in 1840. There are also numerous other famous French military leaders.

Some of the buildings house an extensive Army Museum.

The Orsay Museum was a train station until 1939 when it became obsolete due to the increased length of trains. It might have been replaced by a hotel but for the foresight of The Minister of Cultural Affairs.

A design contest was held, construction started and by 1986 it was opened.

The exhibits help bridge the gap between the works at The Louvre and those at The National Museum of Modern Art - those between 1848 and 1914.

Today it houses the most extensive collection of impressionists and post-impressionists anywhere. Even if you do not care for art, the building itself is worth the visit.

So, we walked a lot all over Paris. It is just that kind of place.

If you look at a map you can see the main areas are not that far apart.

For instance from Sacre Coeur to Notre Dame is less than 3 miles. From the Orsay Museum to our hotel was about 2 miles.

So with distances like that, and a cafe every 100 feet why would you not walk?

Naturally we kept taking pictures as we went so I just combined them all in this little group.

Coffee and croissant please.

We bid adieu to Paris and took the train to Ghent in Belgium. Although actually quite large, our focus and destination was the Old Historic Section.

Since Ghent was founded around 630 AD it has lots of history and some remarkable places to see.

Least I forget I need to praise the food - very good.

And the incredible beer and ale selections.

And wine!

Geesh. Amazing we ever left.

Anyway on with the tour.

Yes, there is a castle. Well 2 actually but this is the biggest and was first on our list.

Built in 1180 on the site of an older wooden castle it served as the seat of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century.

Then it served as a courthouse and prison with lots of torture areas. Some of the ghastly stuff is on display as a reminder of how hideous man can be.

It fell into disrepair and was almost demolished but the city bought it in the late 1800s and had restored it.

A lot of effort has gone into making it as authentic as can be, and we thought they did a very nice job. So we took a lot of pictures - a whole lot of pictures

Ghent is just a pretty town with so much to see, which means we took way too many pictures.

In an endeavor to be somewhat brief here is a combo of various days and places.

One of the most popular things for people in Ghent to do, especially younger people, is sit on the canal as dusk approaches.

They usually bring their own food and beverages - mostly wine and beer - and party quietly until late evening. Lots of laughter but nothing really rowdy. We tried to capture a little of that.

There is also a lot of strolling at night as mood lights enhance the various churches, castles and other buildings.

We also took a boat ride down the canals which gives a unique perspective of some of the same buildings we saw as we walked around.

Not to be confused with the cathedral of the same name, the Abbey is a bit of distance from the old historic section, but within an easy walk.

It started in the 7th century was added to and enlarged throughout the subsequent centuries.

In 1539 the Ghent guilds and leaders revolted against Charles V - Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain - who ruled at that time. Seems they didn't want to pay taxes to support his wars.

Needless to say Charles got mad, and among other things he did was destroy part of St. Bavo and make it into a fort for a Spanish garrison.

In subsequent years it fell into disrepair. Then a couple of decades or so ago the neighborhood around the abbey petitioned the City of Ghent to let them help support it and solicited funds for repairs.

Today the volunteers open the abbey for tours. They also hold concerts, plays and other venues which are well attended by the neighborhood.

We were most impressed by the passion and commitment of the volunteers who were working there the day we visited.