Today we decided to forgo breakfast in our hotel and enjoy a coffee and pastry at a patisserie on our way to the galleries. We had a variety of delights, pomme tart, pain chocolat, crossiants, and all were delicious. The shop did not want to do separate bills, (can't really blame them!) and we ended up just dividing by seven!
The temperature was frigid! It was a longish walk to the Tullieries, we came upon the bridge which was full of locks.....something the French government is discouraging as we have heard the weight of the thousands of locks is compromising the integrity of the bridge structure.
There are not too many people about, which I attribute to the cold weather, the metro will be busy though.
We are noticing a surprising lack of police everywhere we go, which was something we did not expect, in light of recent events, life seems to be going on as per usual.
In Paris you obey the walk and don't walk signs, the traffic is fast, and if it is the cars turn to go you better not be in the way!
We walk through the Tullieries garden, bare branched trees against a blue grey sky, a clear view of the Ferris wheel can be seen down the path by the l'Orangerie which will be our first stop.
It is nice to enter the warmth of the gallery, purchase our tickets and enter the specially built oval room where Monet's water lilies live. There are four massive canvas' composed of many panels, each depicting a different time of day. We sit on the benches in the middle of the room and study in awe, then we move in closer and study detail. What masterpieces!!!! It is really great to have Judy's vast knowledge and explanations of the works we are seeing.
After we have drunk our fill we go down to the lower floor and view many more artists, Matisse, Picasso, Serat, Renoir, Cesanne, and others I cannot remember. Sensory overload!
It was my first visit to this gallery and I was surprised to find it as comprehensive as it was.
We left after a good long visit, walked back through the gardens where we saw two police mounted on horses, and made our way to the Louve.
The Louve was much busier with both tourists/visitors, and bonus we were again out of the cold. We spent some time on our own then joined a tour group for 1 1/2 hours and were taken to the decorative arts, the private apartments of Napoleon and to several important major works of art, including the Mona Lisa.
By five in the afternoon we were all ready for some vino and fresh air outside, and we made our way back to our hotel, picking up Prosecco, wine, bread, cheese, olives, fruit, macaroons, and chocolate. We were too tired to venture out for dinner so enjoyed a feast spread out on two beds in one of the rooms. We discussed our day, told a few funny stories and talked of plans for tomorrow. It is Joans birthday and we have a special dinner planned.
Another wonderful day in Paris!!!!!
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