by people who want their work contracts respected. Yikes! It was an interesting experience. They were a pretty tame crowd and the girls got to see a real French display of democracy in action. We quickly made our way through the crowd to the entrance and the girls went on an hour-long exploration of the interior of this beautiful theatre-palace. Jeannie was most impressed at the thought that The Phantom of the Opera is set in this beautiful site. After touring the Opera, the girls had free time to go shopping and eat lunch.
Then, we took a city bus (nicer than the Metro because you actually see the city, but slower getting around) to the Cluny Museum. This is one of Madme's favorite museums, a former Cluny Abbey built on the site of former Roman thermal baths. We made a bee-line to the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and then quickly moved through the rest of the museum because we were pressed for time.Then we walked past the Sorbonne 
and up to the Pantheon where France honors its heros, writers, and most accomplished citizens. We saw Foucault's pendulum and wandered through the crypte where we saw the tombs of such famous people as Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Pierre and Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas, Emile Zola, and Jean Jaures. We also saw commemorative mention for Antoine de Saint-Exupery who wrote Le petit prince and Guillaume Apollinaire whose visual poetry from the WWI era we studied in AP French.
Next, we took another city bus and the Metro to the Louvre where we saw the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo and the Wedding at Cana. The Louvre was huge and impressive with so many works of art to see!
and up to the Pantheon where France honors its heros, writers, and most accomplished citizens. We saw Foucault's pendulum and wandered through the crypte where we saw the tombs of such famous people as Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Pierre and Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas, Emile Zola, and Jean Jaures. We also saw commemorative mention for Antoine de Saint-Exupery who wrote Le petit prince and Guillaume Apollinaire whose visual poetry from the WWI era we studied in AP French.With all the walking we were pooped! But we needed to go to a grocery store to buy goodies to bring home, so we trudged our way through the Metro, bought what we needed, and returned to the hotel around 8:30 pm. We had hoped to take a boat ride on the Seine as our final farewell or to go to the top of the Arc of Triumph, but by the time we ate dinner, it was too late to either thing. So, we returned to the hotel and hung out in Jessie, Cate and Madame's room to watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer from the hotel window. Then we packed our bags....
Today started off wonderfully with a not-so-little market under the metro bridge on the corner right outside our hotel. I bought a pain au raisin (flaky raisin pastry) and walked by many colorful stands chock full of fruits, clothing, meats, and shoes. We had a fair amount of walking, and only a little drizzle, and got alot done. We were lucky enough to see four museums, all of which were wonderful. The Mona Lisa was smaller than I had originally thought, and there was a HUMONGOUS crowd of people waiting to see it, so I mostly enjoyed the other magnificent art. There were glorious ceilings decorated with paintings and gold.Perhaps the most beautiful thing we saw today was the Opera. It was absolutely gorgeous! We took many beautiful pictures, and I would love to come back with a prom dress and have a full day of photo shoot. The elegant staircases, chandeliers, and velvety red farib walls, it was all quite posh. I would love to watch a show there. I believe Paris CAN be quite a romantic place, except for the smelly subways. But for the most part, yes, highly romantic. I am so thankful to have had this chance! Thank you family! :D love you!
ReplyDeleteThis is Jessie.
ReplyDeleteI once told my mother that "it would mean something" to dance on the stage at the Opera Garnier, and after seeing the theater today, I still think that. Red velvet everywhere, a painted ceiling with gold detail, and the huge chandelier...it's a beautiful place. There were men walking around a grayish-white and modern-looking set of who knows what work, and even though I had no idea what the play/ballet/opera was or what the men were doing, that was cool to see.
We went fairly quickly through both the Musee Cluny and the Louvre, but saw the key points. The tapestries in the Cluny were absolutely amazing, and I really liked the mille fleurs style of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
I'm glad I had the chance to see the Pantheon and the tombs of Voltaire (I finished Candide about a month ago, so that was very cool); Alexandre Dumas, who wrote one of my favorite books; and Marie Curie. I also found the tomb of Lagrange, who was a statistician.
It has been very interesting doing all our packing...our room was extremely messy and now isn't...though everything is still a bit all over the place.
I can't believe I will be home in ~25 hours!
What a wonderful day! We do so enjoy the picture. So many memories. I am sure that it seems your adventure has too quickly come to a close. But it seems overflowing with memorable experiences.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that you were unable to take a boat ride on the Seine as your final farewell or to go to the top of the Arc of Triumph. The day may have started slowly, but it certainly sounds jam packed. Then again, does not Madame say it is better to have something to come back and do?
We eagerly wait to be reunited with you again in less than 20 hours; and wish you “un bon et sûr voyage”!
PS - Babel Fish is our friend ;-)