A Day at the Louvre - Monday

We had an incredible Monday at the Louvre. It took us some time to find the entrance through the Louvre mall as the line outside went forever around the fountain in the outside plaza. At the Louvre mall we thought we would avoid the line at the Louvre so we went to find a restroom but we ended up paying a euro to use the restrooms but it was in a toilet store! At the Louvre we saw the original Mona Lisa, the Venice de Milo, statues by Michelangelo, the horses of Marly, the three Graces by Cranach, and many more famous artist. It was so overwhelming and a very huge museum but so interesting. We were thoroughly exhausted at the end of the day from all the walking but so satisfied from seeing such great artists. We ended the day at a very nice but crowded French restaurant. Paris is so breathtakingly beautiful!

Paris - Sunday

Yeah! We slept in a little while longer this morning and had a leisurely morning! We went La Pere-Lachaise cemetary which was an enormous old cemetary where many famous Parisian's are buried. There were so many huge monuments, very close together so finding the ones we wanted to see was difficult. We did find Frederic Chopin's and Jim Morrison of the Doors monuments but decided not to spend too much time wandering around to see others as we had other things to do. Very interesting and the monuments were really elaborate.

We headed to the Musee de L'armee (Army Museum) where Napoleon monument is located but by the time we got there and inquired how long it took to go through we decided we didn't have enough time to cover it and get to Notre Dame for a free organ concert. We really just wanted to see Napoleon's monument but had to pay for the full museum cost to do it. We headed to Notre Dame for the concert and the sites which were good. Afterwards we meandered through some gift shops and watched some street entertainers. We went to eat at a very nice Asian restaurant not too far from the apartment which was very good.

Monday, while Lynne heads to class, Peg and I will head to the Louvre.

Paris - Saturday

Today, we went to a art and artisan market on Bastille St, stopped at a bakery shop for some delicious Paris sweets and cafe/tea and then to Sacre Coeur Church which was beautiful. It was built around 1870's and the gilded ceiling was awesome. By the church were also more artist and the quality of their work was exquisite. Some were doing pencil/charcoal portraits that were really life like. This area was up in a very hilly area overlooking Paris. We definitely got our exercise going up and down the cobblestone streets but the area was very picturesque.

Check out my pics I posted from yesterday and today on my flickr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/12473770@N03/


Paris is truly amazing and I am so lucky to be here.

Paris update - Friday

The three of us had a really big day today! We went to the Palace of Versailles which is enormous and belonged to Louis XIV, king of France built in 1661. It was incredible! Lots of enormous paintings, sculptures, furnishings, lots of marble, gilded bronze and gold along with the history of France. The grounds were vast and we also toured Marie Antoinette's home and surrounding area. It was fun but we are now exhausted from all the walking. It is on the outskirts of town so we took the Metro to the train to get there and didn't get back until almost 8pm. Took lots of pictures but will post them later on the flickr site. Paris is absolutely incredible!

Paris update

We went to Lynne's school today and helped her figure out which metro stops  to take to get to class.  Peg and I walked around and saw artist drawing by Luxembourg Palace/Museum butwe didn't go in but with a brisk wind it was very cold.  Had several layers on.  When Lynne was done we went to the Pantheon which had huge Roman columns and beautiful paintings and sculptures inside.  Also it has this huge pendululm which helped prove the rotation of the earth.  Also in the lower level were unbelievable amount of crypts where famous people were buried (i.e. Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Louis Braille (inventor of braille), etc.)  It seemed to go on forever and it was colder down there than outside.  We then went to a beautiful church nearby where st.Genevieve was honored.  

We are very proud of ourselves for manuevering the metro line and figuring out where we need to go.  Walking is a whole other story as the streets are laid out like spokes on a wheels so there are no straight square blocks.  We just ask sometimes.  My French is not so good!

We are exhausted from all the walking, but it is very exciting and it is hard to believe I am here.  Tomorrow we are going to Palace of Versailles.

Paris trip

We had a good flight and landed before 7 instead of 7:25. By the time we got our luggage and figured out how to get to the train it was after 7:30. It took us until 9:30 before we got to our apartment but it is much closer to st. paul metro stop, right across the street from it is one gate but the gate with the brown double doors was just down an alley and a little ways to the left. Weather here is much colder than we thought so I have been freezing. I wish I would have brought my cuddleduds. very windy today when we went to get some groceries, etc. Apartment is good but small. Elevator is a hoot! It is barely big enough for one person and suitcase. about 2 by 3 feet. and you have to push the door open when it stops. It took me a little while to figure that out as I was first to use it. you wouldn't have liked it! We had nice meal with Lynne's friends upstairs and she took us on a short walking tour to get 3 prong plug we needed as none of us thought to bring one.
It is so hard to believe we are here! Very exciting and the building architecture is incredible!