We started the day with hot chocolate and croissants at the bistro near the hotel. Then, we rode a Paris city bus to Les Invalides where we saw Napoleon's tomb. In touring the artistic friezes in the crypte around his tomb, the girls learned a better appreciation of Napoleon's place in history.Then we took a short walk over to the Musee Rodin where we walked in 
the gardens and saw some famous works on display: The Thinker and The Gates of Hell. Then we toured the inside of the musuem, which is located in the pre-Revolution manor called Hotel Biron. We saw more version of the The Thinker and the rough drafts made in preparing for The Gates of Hell, as well as other great work by Rodin such as The Kiss and The Man with the Broken Nose. We all greatly appreciated Rodin's work as well as the sculptures by his sometime lover, Camille Claudel.
the gardens and saw some famous works on display: The Thinker and The Gates of Hell. Then we toured the inside of the musuem, which is located in the pre-Revolution manor called Hotel Biron. We saw more version of the The Thinker and the rough drafts made in preparing for The Gates of Hell, as well as other great work by Rodin such as The Kiss and The Man with the Broken Nose. We all greatly appreciated Rodin's work as well as the sculptures by his sometime lover, Camille Claudel.Then we traveled to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. On our way up the hill, we did some extensive tourist shopping (get ready for the trinkets!) and stopped for a pizza/pasta lunch. 
We toured the interior of the church and took pictures from the outside, then the girls walked the winding 294 fat-burning steps up to the very top of the dome of the church. Once they reached the top, they were treated to a fabulous view of the city of Paris. While they were doing this, Madame waited in a nearby cafe, sipping Earl Grey tea. Then we spent more time buying random trinkets of Paris and Melissa got her portrait drawn by a street artist. Jessie chose to sit out the shopping portion of the program and she sat with Madame at the cafe and read from Madame's new edition of Petit Nicolas voyage.
We toured the interior of the church and took pictures from the outside, then the girls walked the winding 294 fat-burning steps up to the very top of the dome of the church. Once they reached the top, they were treated to a fabulous view of the city of Paris. While they were doing this, Madame waited in a nearby cafe, sipping Earl Grey tea. Then we spent more time buying random trinkets of Paris and Melissa got her portrait drawn by a street artist. Jessie chose to sit out the shopping portion of the program and she sat with Madame at the cafe and read from Madame's new edition of Petit Nicolas voyage.We were all exhausted and burdened with purchases, so we headed back to our hotel for a brief rest. Then, we returned to the Left Bank neighborhood called Saint Michel for a traditional French dinner. Jessie ate raclette, while the rest of the group tried a variety of gourmet dishes. Madame argued with the waiter and won (because she was right and he was rude). :-)
After dinner, we went on a walking tour that led us back to Notre Dame, which was illuminated as it always is after dark. Then, we walked around behind Notre Dame to appreciate the Gothic architecture, gargoyles, and the gardens. In crossing back over the Seine to the Left Bank, we stumbled upon an Italian movie set and we got to watch what appeared to be an seriously cheesy heist scene as it was filmed. Finally, we took the metro home and tomorrow will be our final day of touring. We have many ideas, but we know for sure we will go to the Louvre.
it was a fun day. We saw many sculptures and monuments. It was very interesting to see Napoline's tomb. It was nice to see Paris at night. We learned alot of interesting things about Napoline. The sculpting was breathe taking.
ReplyDeleteThis is Jessie.
ReplyDeleteI still remembered very well my climb to the top of Sacre Coeur five years -- the twisting and turning stairs, the ups and downs, narrow and steep stairs, falling twice...this time I didn't fall, thank goodness, but the stairs were still the same. There were only 294 steps, but it felt like there were so many more because the winding staircase kept going and going and then we went up and down -- down to go up? But we did get a wonderful view of Paris...and then had to do it all over again going down.
The most breath-taking part of today was the view of Paris from the top of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. After climbing the narrow, steep, and spiraling two hundred and ninety something steps, we were well rewarded by the view. Although it was grey and misty, and it felt like we were in a wind tunnel, the pictures were spectacular! After taking in those sihts, we climbed BACK DOWN and then visited the cripts under the church. Very cool. Then we met up with Madame at a little cafe after walking by an elderly couple duo playing a violin and accordian. All in all, it was a very pleasant and charmed day walking in Paris.
ReplyDeleteThis is Jeanne.
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun today. I love walking around Paris! Especially at night! :-) My favorite part was looking at Paris from the top of Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) Basilica. It was so beautiful! Paris just streched out forever.