Thursday, April 20th, 2006
Musée d'Orsay Musée du Louvre Centre George Pompidieu St. Merri Fontaine Igor Stravinsky Sainte Eustache
After our ritual breakfast at the bakery downstairs from the hotel, it was off to see the 3 big art museums, Musée d'Orsay and Musée du Louvre and to walk around Centre George Pompidou. Along the way, we visited the modern art fountain shown in all the 'French in Action' courses that Russ used, and still occasionally picks up for a while, to learn the language, Fontaine Igor-Stravinsky, as well as several different churches. We used the Métro/RER and saved our feet a little bit, as tomorrow Scott and Kate arrive and we better be ready for a busy day!
I can honestly say that this is my most preferred Art Museum
anywhere. Of course, part of the reason is because of the awesome
conversion they did when the changed this old Train Station into an art museum.
In so doing, they preserved a great old building and it's architecture, which is
always important to me. Another reason is this museum is home to my
favorite painting, by
Gustave Caillebotte, called "The Floor Scrapers" (les raboteurs
de parquet). Unfortunately, when we visited this time, that
particular painting was in Moscow, and another famous painting, Whistler's
Mother, was in London. Even so, the accumulation of culture and art is
always inspiring. I prefer the sculptures, bronze and such to the
paintings, but it's always fun to watch Cindy absolutely light up when she enters
the halls of Impressionist Art. She absolutely adores that period of
artwork.
Danielle was a little 'shocked' by the display of the human body in a LOT of the
art in both museums. Any anatomy questions she may have had were certainly
answered in the artwork.
Lunch was at a little bistro called Le Fontenoy. We had grilled
sandwiches, and this was the first time Danielle got a sandwich, croque
monsieur, with an added surprise, a grilled egg on the top. Yumm! On
the way, Cindy saw these 'retro' stoves and had to take some photos. I bet
they were quite expensive, but we didn't get up close as my hunger pangs were
overtaking my curiosity.
Musée du Louvre
Arguably the most famous art museum in the world, it is an amazing location.
The previous Royal Palace has been used for centuries to house one of the
largest collection of art anywhere. The architecture is much older, and
the art and artifacts date back thousands of years. We visited the Mona
Lisa, and compared to our last visit, the new location and presentation of the
Mona Lisa is superb! It's on a wall all by itself, with 2 barriers, one
closer and lower, so children can come up and look without being blocked by
adults. There are no photos allowed, so we don't have any of use there.
I can honestly say the new presentation was a fantastic and welcome improvement.
We then got lost after leaving the Renaissance wing and found several areas we
would never have intentionally visited, but which captivated us nonetheless.
Winged Victory!
The gilded and inlay on the ceilings were magnificent.
Venus du Milo
XXX
The girls pose with a group of busts.
Lots more statues.
Danielle reads an explanation. Danielle next to the
'Big Bowl'
Here's an entire Egyptian area we happened across completely by accident!
Back courtyard
One wing through the
The girls on the stairs with a
entrance pyramid.
wing backdrop.
Sorry, I forgot the name of this Church, but never fear, I'll remember it!
I love those old
Citroën cars
This one is called the
Deux Chevaux (2 horse)
Centre George Pompidou
This is the modern art museum and building.
I honestly do not like the appearance of this building. Some call it the
inside-out building.
I liked the activity and people in the area, but the building leaves something
to be desired.
There are many street performers in the square of the Centre.
Church of Saint Eustache
Sometimes called little Notre Dame, it is in the process
of being restored. The flying buttresses gave it its nickname.
The
Cardinal Richelieu is buried there!
I couldn't help it, I loved the comment
written on this poster in a
Métro/RER Station.
"BOYCOTT CRUISE AND $CIENTOLOGY"
We decided to have dinner at this nice restaurant,
Bistro Roman, near the hotel, and the asparagus ravioli I had was
awesome! Cindy, Cindy (G) and Danielle loved the food, but went overboard
with the profiterole dessert. Basically, a puff pastry, with a vanilla ice
cream center
covered in rich warm chocolate.
In the middle of our evening meal, some kid on a skateboard crashed body-first into the
front window pane.
Danielle couldn't stop laughing at the reaction of the kid after he picked
himself up!
He was obviously a little 'dazed' by the window, which survived the impact
undamaged.
This was the second body-impact incident in France. The first involved my
cranium, a thick pane of glass,
and me trying to get a good look at some Asian rugs.
Once again, Danielle saw the impact, heard the loud
'thunk' and started laughing uncontrollably. By the end of the trip, only
Cindy (G) had survived unscathed
by the 'blow to the head' syndrome that attacked when least expected.
Musée d'Orsay Musée du Louvre Centre George Pompidieu St. Merri Fontaine Igor Stravinsky Sainte Eustache
