Good bye Paris

Our last day in Paris and we enjoyed the beautiful gardens at Monet’s Maison, Giverny.  We had a chuckle with the shuttle that came from Vernon!

This will not be a surprise but it was crowded.  Of course the flowers were colorful and huge.  I wish my garden looked like that. The lilies in the lily pond were just beginning to flower!

Back on the bus and we headed back for the 60 km drive to Paris.  There was time for a relaxing drink and appies at a street cafe.  What a nice stop.  Unfortunately I did not did get a pic of my 16 euro glass of champagne which I encourage the waiter to fill to the top!  He did and it was overflowing. The salmon, pate and escargot were delicious.  I haven’t had escargot in years!

The aftermath of escargot, salmon, pate and champagne

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There was a plan to visit the Arc d’ Triumph but google and I had a difference of opinion and we didn’t make it.  I guess google was right.  We did not make it there but had a nice walk in the area.

Our final night in Paris and we enjoyed another river cruise, this time with a 3 course dinner.  The dinner was tasty, the company and wine great and of course the scenery marvellous.  We were so amazed at all the people out on the banks and the grassy areas.  It really does come to life at night.

So this trip is over - Paris certainly exceeded my expectations.  The people were amazing - we would surface from a metro and say what we were looking for and someone would step in and point us in the right direction! The buildings, the parks, the sites - all beautiful.  Now I just have to figure out what to do with 100 shots of the Eiffel Tower - I think I have a shot from every possible direction so enjoy a couple more - it really got my intention!

One of the 4 statutes of liberties in Paris

Museums and Montmarte

Museums, museums wherever you go.  We visited the 2 most famous ones- Louvre and D'Orsay.  Both are amazing buildings and museums.  

The Louvre is enormous and I must say a bit overwhelming especially when you add in the crowds and the people who find it necessary to pose in front - not sure if they even look at the art. The original fortress walls forming the museum are impressive even before you see the art that is in those walls.

Depiction of the original fortress

And there she is the piece that everyone wants to see Mona Lisa herself

The D’Orsay is a much friendlier and easy museum to navigate and the the marvellous art there. The Van Gogh collection is impressive.

Montmarte was one of my favorite areas.  After riding the funicular up, we arrived close to Sacre Coeur.  High atop the highest part of Paris, it overlooks the city. Inside was beautiful and had such a comfortable feel.  The art is all mosacis and is amazing.  For many of us this was the favorite church we had seen.

For the most part Montmarte neighborhood is the whole hill.  From the church we started walking down passing many homes of famous artists.  There is one area that artists work daily on their craft. A very special area indeed - it would have been nice to spend more time here.