More on Paris
Sorry for such a long post yesterday — I just couldn’t seem to edit it very well.
Today’s post is going to be pretty much all pictures. I decided that part of why I didn’t enjoy Paris as much as maybe I would’ve is because it wasn’t the sort of holiday I really wanted. (Did I already say this?) I wanted one filled with sleeping in, knitting, reading, and leisurely strolls along the beach or in the countryside. Instead I got a sightseeing holiday because you can’t go to a city you’ve never been to, especially one like Paris, and not see the sights. So, a lot of walking was done and despite being relatively fit, my legs and feet ached at the end of each and every day. Outside of hiking boots, which are obviously designed for heavy walking, are there other shoes that make pounding the pavement less harmful to one’s legs, feet, back, and hips (if you’ve got a funny one like me)?
Here’s a brief run down of what we did:
Day 1: Eurostar to Paris. After dropping our stuff off, walked to Jardin des Plantes - lots of dead flowers. After a late lunch, walked to Notre Dame. Back to the hotel for a nap before dinner. Had a mediocre dinner and then went to see the Eiffel Tower lit up.
Day 2: Slept in way late. Eiffel Tower by day — way too crowded for my tastes. Very long walk along the river, including eating ice cream, to Musée d’Orsay to buy tickets for the next day (I recommend others do this as then there’s no queue to get in). Very nice dinner.
Day 3: Musée d’Orsay which I liked. Not a real fan of museums, but this on was a good size and not overwhelming. Lunch and then the Louvre. Way too overwhelming and crowded — didn’t enjoy it. I went to La Drougiere and bought nothing. Nap and then another back to Notre Dame as the sun set. Another nice dinner.
Day 4: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont which was disappointing — it was like Disneyland — man-made everything. Back to London on the Eurostar.
[Clicking any of the photos will bring up a bigger version.]
Romains de la décadence (Musée d’Orsay) — Jardin des Tuileries — the Louvre entrance
Walking up to the Winged Victory of Samothrace (I found walking up to this and viewing this to be really powerful) — Closer up to the sculpture — Cupid & Aphrodite/Psyche (?) from behind
Teenagers who were doing street dancing — Gargoyles on Notre Dame — Me knitting on Charade in front of Notre Dame
L’Institut du Monde Arabe (one of the coolest buildings I have ever seen) — Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
You can see the full set on my Flickr account.
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Comments
Finally someone who agrees with me about the Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre. Both very nice, but one managable and one not so much. I loved every second in Orsay and the folks there know how to put a museum together. Ditto on the Winged Victory and your photos are gorgeous (good use of light).
Posted by: Ava | September 9th, 2007 21:13
I”m a huge fran of d’Orsay as well, but I’m also generally off museums unless I know there’s something special in there.
Your pictures look great, and good to see that you had nice weather.
Posted by: Jen | September 10th, 2007 06:23
Oh, so BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: becka | September 12th, 2007 18:35
pardon me, i accidentally posted before I was even close to beginning, nevermind done…oops!
I would be very much like you, enjoy the lesser famous of the museums because, face it, you are going to see beautiful artwork in Paris and crowds just stink!
I so understand, too, that you must trek about because it’s Paris for goodness sake! And, I also understand the kind of vacation you wanted, one in which you relax while you are away, not one in which you must relax when you get home. BUT…YOU GOT TO SEE PARIS!! how cool is that?!
next vacation, do as Lonnie and I do for one another each year for Christmas, travel relatively close, have no plans, other than shopping for one another’s gifts …. meaning, it’s 1-2 days after Christmas and we spend the $ ourselves for the things we want rather than shopping for each other for Christmas (we love it since we no longer have little ones at home!)….and we rest, relax and do whatever…BUT…YOU GOT TO SEE PARIS!!! This will always, always be a fantastic memory…now, i must dash to flickr to see all of your photos…..and I’m away……………
Posted by: becka | September 12th, 2007 18:43
I loved Paris, but like you, I’m not one for crowds. So I didn’t make it inside any of the ’sights’, just spend a lot of time outside taking photos of the buildings :)
I’ve got lots of blog catching-up to do, so I’m off to see what you’ve been up to (I read your swamp post - hilarious!)
Posted by: brenda in toronto | September 13th, 2007 14:33
Your photos are really beautiful. I haven’t been to Paris and am ambivalent about it; if I get the opportunity to go I will do that, but it’s not a “must-see.” A few years ago we went to the south of France and it was very beautiful and more of the vacation you are wanting to take. The villages shut down from 1-3ish every day and also on the weekends there’s nothing to do, but read or relax by the pool or beach. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did, so I hope to go back one day. But I’d like to see Italy first.
Hope your work is letting up and you are feeling better!
Posted by: Debby | September 15th, 2007 00:26