Saturday, December 31, 2011
Musee Carnavalet: A Fireplace in Every Room
From "DK Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Paris".
"Devoted to the history of Paris, this museum sprawls through two mansions, the 16th-century Carnavalet and the 17th-century Le Peletier de Sevigne. The former was the home of Madame de Sevigne, the famous letter-writer from 1677 to 1696 and a gallery here portrays her life."
The museum, at least the sections open to the public during our visit, contains period rooms filled with art and portraits. And that what 8 focus on in this post.
Three bonus point for this off-the-beaten-path attraction.
1. It's within easy walking distance from our apartment.
2. No waiting in line.
3. Free admission.
OK, well just about every room.
"Devoted to the history of Paris, this museum sprawls through two mansions, the 16th-century Carnavalet and the 17th-century Le Peletier de Sevigne. The former was the home of Madame de Sevigne, the famous letter-writer from 1677 to 1696 and a gallery here portrays her life."
The museum, at least the sections open to the public during our visit, contains period rooms filled with art and portraits. And that what 8 focus on in this post.
Three bonus point for this off-the-beaten-path attraction.
1. It's within easy walking distance from our apartment.
2. No waiting in line.
3. Free admission.
OK, well just about every room.
Kentucky French Chicken
And it's a busy place.
The interior of a nearby McDonald's -- sidewalk too busy for a clear shot and I wasn't inclined to walk inside just to snap a picture -- looks decidedly upscale compared to the usual American design.
The interior of a nearby McDonald's -- sidewalk too busy for a clear shot and I wasn't inclined to walk inside just to snap a picture -- looks decidedly upscale compared to the usual American design.
Under the Pyramid @ the Louvre
8,500,000 people visited the Louvre in 2010. And they all went though this point.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Some of My Favorite Corners of the Louvre
So much territory to cover.
Since this is our first visit, we spent as much time getting ourselves oriented and admiring the architectural beauty of the building itself as we did viewing the exhibits.
Since this is our first visit, we spent as much time getting ourselves oriented and admiring the architectural beauty of the building itself as we did viewing the exhibits.
How Many Pictures are Taken of the "Mona Lisa" Each Day @ the Louvre?
Who can count that high?
It's been a great day for avoiding lines. Instant access at the Conciergerie and and an almost equally breezy entrance at the Louvre, thanks to our Paris Museum passes.
By far, the greatest concentration of people was found in Salon B, 1st floor, Denon wing.
It's been a great day for avoiding lines. Instant access at the Conciergerie and and an almost equally breezy entrance at the Louvre, thanks to our Paris Museum passes.
By far, the greatest concentration of people was found in Salon B, 1st floor, Denon wing.
Contemporary Art Exhibit @ the Conciergerie
From Le Nouveau Paris website: "Discover how, down through the ages, man has transformed animals into weapons, even giving them a key role on certain battle fields."
Or, as Eddie noted after we toured the exhibit area, "This is the stuff that nightmares are made of."
Gavin Younge, "Quagga Project"
Julie Faure-Brac, "La porteur de l'esprit de la baleine echouee".
(Flies inside fabric.)
Christian Gonzenbach, "Hval(baleine)".
Claire Morgan, "Here is the End of All Things".
(Inside a slatted wood enclosure.)
Or, as Eddie noted after we toured the exhibit area, "This is the stuff that nightmares are made of."
Gavin Younge, "Quagga Project"
Julie Faure-Brac, "La porteur de l'esprit de la baleine echouee".
(Flies inside fabric.)
Christian Gonzenbach, "Hval(baleine)".
Claire Morgan, "Here is the End of All Things".
(Inside a slatted wood enclosure.)
JoAnna's Direct Antecedents Missed the Cut
The exhibits at the Conciergerie included a list of the 2780 people beheaded during the French Revolution.
First Stop on Day 5: The Conciergerie (Part 1)
According to "DK Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Paris":
Originally home to the caretaker and guards of the Palace de Justice, the Conciergerie was turned into a jail at the end of the 14th century. It took its place in history during the French Revolution, when more than 4,000 citizens (including Marie-Antoinette) were held prisoner here, half of whom were guillotined. It remained a prison until 1914.
The best news is that we didn't have to wait in line. Instant access
Originally home to the caretaker and guards of the Palace de Justice, the Conciergerie was turned into a jail at the end of the 14th century. It took its place in history during the French Revolution, when more than 4,000 citizens (including Marie-Antoinette) were held prisoner here, half of whom were guillotined. It remained a prison until 1914.
The best news is that we didn't have to wait in line. Instant access
The Western Point of Ile St. Louis at Dusk
It's easy to go overboard taking pictures of Paris, but after a few days here, I found myself becoming more discriminating. I've seen any number of people holding aloft a pocket digital camera -- which is all I'm using -- taking picture after picture as they walk down the street.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Notre Dame at Dusk With Christmas Tree
Where we ended up today at the end of our Le Car Rouge bus ride before walking back to our apartment.
More of the Eiffel Tower
More lines.
More snakey, lengthy lines.
More lines so long -- 4, count 'em, 4 -- you're not quite sure where they go.
In other words, as much as we wanted to see Paris from the top of Eiffel Tower, we weren't willing to invest a couple of hours waiting in line for the pleasure of this 360-degree view.
Maybe next week -- thinking, hoping, that what we're seeing this week is a fair share of the holiday crowd.
More snakey, lengthy lines.
More lines so long -- 4, count 'em, 4 -- you're not quite sure where they go.
In other words, as much as we wanted to see Paris from the top of Eiffel Tower, we weren't willing to invest a couple of hours waiting in line for the pleasure of this 360-degree view.
Maybe next week -- thinking, hoping, that what we're seeing this week is a fair share of the holiday crowd.