Because I did not get home until 2am, I slept in and didn’t rush out this morning. I left my hotel around noon, and walked to my favorite Patisserie to get a delicious ham and gruyere (swiss) baguette, and ate it as I walked to the Siene to catch the Batobus. It's funny, I don't usually like ham, but in Paris, I do! :)
I arrived at Musee d’ Orsay, and waited in line. Again, like the Louve, the building holding the art, is truly art itself…
Orsay is famous for realist, impressionist and postimpressionist allstars like Van Gogh (there were at least 30 of his paintings here- including his famous self portrait), Renoir- his Bal du Moulin de la Galette was AMAZING! I remember seeing this painting in a book in 10th grade, and it is more magnificent in person, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Goya, Picasso, Degas and sculptures by Rodin. I really enjoyed this gallery. It was much smaller and I found more user friendly than the Louvre, not as overwhelming! I also paid an extra 1.5 euro to see Orsay’s special “Crime et Chatiment” (crime and punishment) exhibit- some of the art was a bit disturbing, but overall it was interesting. As I was walking through Orsay I did some reflecting- why am I SO interested in things which I used to have NO interest in? In high school I saw no purpose in studying art, language, history, politics, etc., and now, these are the things I enjoy most. Maybe interests, like taste buds continue to change, grow, develop as we age, see and experience life changing things.
After seeing hundreds of pieces of art, I stopped into the magnificent café for a little treat- crème brulee and cappuccino, with a view of the Siene! It was such a BEAUTIFUL Parisian day, I could not resist.
I left Orsay and hopped on the Batobus to Notre Dame. Although I had already seen the exterior twice, I was still in awe of its magnificent beauty. I waited in the long line to go into ND- free admittance! Btw- a little fact about ND- construction began in 1163, but it took 200 years to finish! I can see why though, the inside of ND was equally as impressive as the exterior, and the gothic architecture kept me staring high at the ceilings and architectural details. The stained glass windows were large, and highlighted the magnificent arches. I was lucky to catch some sort of important ceremony (in French- so I had NO idea what they were saying), but in addition to priests, there were bishops, and other important people in fancy robes. Organ music and French classical religious music being sung-even though I am not Catholic, I could appreciate and respect the ceremony I witnessed.
Knowing ND would be closing soon, I made my way outside to wait in the line to go to the top! For some reason I thought there was a lift to the top, but as I sat in line looking at all the thin, fit people, I began to wonder why. As I bought my ticket, and approached the entrance, I saw a narrow spiral staircase and NO LIFT! Now, it’s no secret I am not in the best shape, but I decided, I would do it…I took a deep breath and began my ascent up 400 stairs! I have to be honest, toward the top I didn’t think I would make it, and young, healthy, athletic people were even having a difficult time- we were all dripping in sweat and breathing far too heavily. However, as I neared the top, and saw the light shining into the stairwell- immediately it was worth it!
The top of Notre Dame- how can I describe it? It wasn’t as high as the Eiffel Tower, and wasn’t in the center of Paris like the Arc de Triumph, but there was something more impressive about this view. The gargoyles guarding ND, the architectural details, views of the steeples, the Siene, Sacre Coeur and Eiffel Tower were breathtaking. I took far TOO many pictures, and stared out at the city for at least 30 minutes, before beginning my 400 step decent back down. On my way down, I found a little alcove, and took some pictures through a dirty window- WHY NOT!? And that’s where I got a souvenir- a cut on my arm from a rusty piece of metal- immediately worrying about lock jaw, but fortunately I am clumsy, and got a tetanus shot less than 2 years ago.
After finishing up at Notre Dame, I walked to the Latin Quarter, and explored a bit before settling at a cute little café, with a great view and people watching. I ordered some olives in oil and peppers, and had ravioli a la bolognese, before taking the train back to my hotel.
Exhausted, I felt completely alive and inspired. Another AMAZING day in Paris!
Xoxo- Tiffany
I arrived at Musee d’ Orsay, and waited in line. Again, like the Louve, the building holding the art, is truly art itself…
Orsay is famous for realist, impressionist and postimpressionist allstars like Van Gogh (there were at least 30 of his paintings here- including his famous self portrait), Renoir- his Bal du Moulin de la Galette was AMAZING! I remember seeing this painting in a book in 10th grade, and it is more magnificent in person, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Goya, Picasso, Degas and sculptures by Rodin. I really enjoyed this gallery. It was much smaller and I found more user friendly than the Louvre, not as overwhelming! I also paid an extra 1.5 euro to see Orsay’s special “Crime et Chatiment” (crime and punishment) exhibit- some of the art was a bit disturbing, but overall it was interesting. As I was walking through Orsay I did some reflecting- why am I SO interested in things which I used to have NO interest in? In high school I saw no purpose in studying art, language, history, politics, etc., and now, these are the things I enjoy most. Maybe interests, like taste buds continue to change, grow, develop as we age, see and experience life changing things.
After seeing hundreds of pieces of art, I stopped into the magnificent café for a little treat- crème brulee and cappuccino, with a view of the Siene! It was such a BEAUTIFUL Parisian day, I could not resist.
I left Orsay and hopped on the Batobus to Notre Dame. Although I had already seen the exterior twice, I was still in awe of its magnificent beauty. I waited in the long line to go into ND- free admittance! Btw- a little fact about ND- construction began in 1163, but it took 200 years to finish! I can see why though, the inside of ND was equally as impressive as the exterior, and the gothic architecture kept me staring high at the ceilings and architectural details. The stained glass windows were large, and highlighted the magnificent arches. I was lucky to catch some sort of important ceremony (in French- so I had NO idea what they were saying), but in addition to priests, there were bishops, and other important people in fancy robes. Organ music and French classical religious music being sung-even though I am not Catholic, I could appreciate and respect the ceremony I witnessed.
Knowing ND would be closing soon, I made my way outside to wait in the line to go to the top! For some reason I thought there was a lift to the top, but as I sat in line looking at all the thin, fit people, I began to wonder why. As I bought my ticket, and approached the entrance, I saw a narrow spiral staircase and NO LIFT! Now, it’s no secret I am not in the best shape, but I decided, I would do it…I took a deep breath and began my ascent up 400 stairs! I have to be honest, toward the top I didn’t think I would make it, and young, healthy, athletic people were even having a difficult time- we were all dripping in sweat and breathing far too heavily. However, as I neared the top, and saw the light shining into the stairwell- immediately it was worth it!
The top of Notre Dame- how can I describe it? It wasn’t as high as the Eiffel Tower, and wasn’t in the center of Paris like the Arc de Triumph, but there was something more impressive about this view. The gargoyles guarding ND, the architectural details, views of the steeples, the Siene, Sacre Coeur and Eiffel Tower were breathtaking. I took far TOO many pictures, and stared out at the city for at least 30 minutes, before beginning my 400 step decent back down. On my way down, I found a little alcove, and took some pictures through a dirty window- WHY NOT!? And that’s where I got a souvenir- a cut on my arm from a rusty piece of metal- immediately worrying about lock jaw, but fortunately I am clumsy, and got a tetanus shot less than 2 years ago.
After finishing up at Notre Dame, I walked to the Latin Quarter, and explored a bit before settling at a cute little café, with a great view and people watching. I ordered some olives in oil and peppers, and had ravioli a la bolognese, before taking the train back to my hotel.
Exhausted, I felt completely alive and inspired. Another AMAZING day in Paris!
Xoxo- Tiffany
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