We've been really busy this week! Excluding last Sunday, we've visited seven museums, plus have visited numerous other historic and cultural sites and and have walked to every site we've visited - and have been on our feet at least 8 hours each day! We needed a little exercise and we're obtaining it! Of course, we definitely need to work off those wonderful lunches/dinners and all that rich food. Plus, we have the added benefit of seeing the city first hand. We literally fall into bed at night.
Here are some of the highlights:
The Orsay museum has to be one of our favorites - for its style (a converted train station) and its incredible collection of impressionist and later paintings. We started on the 5th floor with Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, Pissaro, etc. and worked our way down. We are glad we did. There was so much to see here.
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| The Orsay museum - a converted train station - Parisian style - a magnifique impressionist collection! |
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| We were mesmerized by these paintings! |
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| The old train station clock |
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| Paul Gauguin |
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| Orsay rooftop view |
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| Peek-a-boo view of Paris at the Orsay |
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| Me before coffee in the morning - Orsay |
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| Eiffel Tower blues |
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| Spring is here |
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| Lunch in the Rue Cler district |
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| The Hotel de Ville - Administration offices - can you imagine working here? |
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| BHV - a huge department store down the street from us - provides anything you want and much more |
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| Playfully poking at a snake...is that a good idea? A sculpture at the Orsay |
We visited Versailles mid-week in order to avoid the crowds and the thundershowers also definitely helped reduce the visitor count. Let's just say that we wouldn't want to visit there on a crowded day. This palaces were ornate (to say the least) and the French people definitely needed to rebel. The gardens were spectacular - even on a rainy day - and perhaps we'll return next week just to see them on a warm, sunny day.
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| "Honey; I'm home!" |
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| Front doors... |
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| Versailles chapel...not sure who was being worshipped... |
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| The artistry and gold! |
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| Hall of mirrors - to admire our ensembles |
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| Which door was it? |
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| Cottage garden |
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| They start young here learning their history - and they need to.... |
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| Room of battle paintings |
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| Adding more gold leaf |
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| Charming village style restaurant in the gardens - we'll return there! |
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| Ahhhhh...the serenity |
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| Gorgeous landscapes surround you here |
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| Happy trees |
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| Ernie's deciding where to place the furniture - Petit Palais |
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| Everywhere we looked, there was beauty |
There's more, but we'll catch up on these tomorrow...
H
Francophiles birthing, yes you are.....you even have another one up on us, no never managed to get out to Versaillies, we were always finding too many photo ops right in the CITY, all that architecture, shops, chocolate & pastries and cheese shops. Have you stepped in a cheese shop and sampled yet then have them slice you a nice hunk and get a baguette and go sit under a Horse Chestnut tree and watch the world go by? Don't forget Luxemburg Gardens...the tulips should be blooming. Been to Paul yet for a morning roll? DON'T KILL YOURSELVES, YOU HAVE A LONG TRIP IN FRONT OF YOU....take it easy, will ya? You are not 65 anymore ya know.
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D.
Oh yes, we know...we're gradually adjusting to the long walks, but it's taken a week! We now understand why the Parisians don't join gyms or run generally. Because they don't need to; they walk everywhere and every day! We'll definitely go back to the Luxemburg gardens later this week; we strolled by there yesterday and the police were herding people away and had closed off all the entrances...possibly a big ceremony? Huge masses of people were there...Instead, we visited the Cluny and the Pantheon, which was quite grand - and then enjoyed a fabulous early dinner at a small cafe near the Seine. Not too shabby. The cheese shop and the gardens are both on our list for this week as well as Montmartre, and the Galleries Lafayette...Oh my, this city is incredible! We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast this morning of quiche (from a local bakery) and a sweet treat (from the incredible Aux Marveilleux) - not too shabby for two country folks! Now we need to walk it all off! Thanks for all your recommendations and keep them coming! You are our cheering section!
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N and E