Today is Sunday when all the families are out and about so we decided to
join them at the second largest park in Paris, Bois de Boulogne. It
was created between 1852 and 1858 during the reign of the Emperor Louis
Napoleon. It really is huge, way more than we could cover in one visit
being 2-1/2 times the size of Central Park in NYC.
One of our goals was to find the new Frank Gehry building, The Cloud, designed for The Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation. The museum is set to open next month.
After walking for awhile through the forest, along with joggers, cyclists, strollers, and ponies, we realized we needed un cafe creme.
We found a decent sidewalk cafe and decided to have lunch as well.
Sharing a small Pizza Margarita was just right.
Our next stop was the library, about 14 metro stops away. There are four buildings, designed to look like books and though it isn't exactly a spectacular design, it's quite interesting and a nice place to walk around. The library holds 14 million books and is intended to be the repository of all that is published in France. In 1988, President Francois Mitterrand announced the construction and expansion of one of the largest and most modern libraries in the world, intended to cover all fields of knowledge, and designed to be accessible to all using the most modern data transfer technologies. Surprisingly, the library does not maintain a wireless network.
We took a break for a frozen yogurt, and climbed onto the brand new, fully automated metro line, #14. The station is quite spacious and well planned. Our destination was l'hotel national des Invalides - Musee de l'Armee which houses Napolean's tomb. I have to say, we were impressed.
Dome ceiling above the tomb.
The dome from outside.
We also spent some time in the relief maps room of towns that figured in France's military history.
The Rodin Museum is a short distance away from Invalides and today is first Sunday of the month FREE day. So, even foot sore, we couldn't pass it up. Time is flying by and we're barely making a dent in all the things we would like to see. I love this museum and Chuck had never seen it.
This was Rodin's home, which he gave to the State, along with everything in it, as long as he could live in it until he died. He intended it to be the Rodin Museum. We found out when we arrived that there was a Robert Maplethorpe exhibit, ending today. I was so excited and then saw the incredible line trying to get into Rodin's house. I assumed it was for the Maplethorpe exhibit. But, we lucked out. Walking into the reception building, there was the exhibit! We had just enough time before closing to take it in. There were 2 photos of Patti Smith. This was a huge highlight of the day for me.
By now Chuck had to have something refreshing and kept seeing people waking by with ice cream. I complained that I wasn't getting any vegetables since our diet seems to consist of croissants, cheese and baguettes. He pointed out that the ice cream was green.
Pont Alexandre III, the most elaborate bridge in Paris. We enjoyed sitting on the quay, along with everyone else enjoying this gorgeous Sunday evening, while we ate our ice cream.
We decided on crepes for dinner. I had read about the Breizh Cafe with all the 5 star reviews and it's only blocks from our place. They are known for their buckwheat. We had to wait about 10 minutes but really lucked out when our server asked if the "terrace" was OK. Yes! It was quite warm inside and absolutely perfect outside at 8:15 pm. The cafe scene is alive and well; we were surrounded by them, up and down the street, and it really created a kind of party atmosphere. I guess they just don't want to face going to work tomorrow.
I ordered a savory crepe with mushrooms, Camembert cheese, bacon, creme fraiche and an egg. I was a little concerned that it would taste like breakfast but when I took my first bite, I had to control myself from moaning. So perfect, no other crepe will ever compare and it was decidedly dinner.
Chuck ordered a sweet crepe, buckwheat all the way, including the ice cream. He was disappointed in the small amount of ice cream but liked it otherwise. Great dinner for a total of 21 Euros in a lovely setting on a glorious night. Even a full moon!
Only two days left in Paris!
C&C
One of our goals was to find the new Frank Gehry building, The Cloud, designed for The Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation. The museum is set to open next month.
After walking for awhile through the forest, along with joggers, cyclists, strollers, and ponies, we realized we needed un cafe creme.
We found a decent sidewalk cafe and decided to have lunch as well.
Sharing a small Pizza Margarita was just right.
Our next stop was the library, about 14 metro stops away. There are four buildings, designed to look like books and though it isn't exactly a spectacular design, it's quite interesting and a nice place to walk around. The library holds 14 million books and is intended to be the repository of all that is published in France. In 1988, President Francois Mitterrand announced the construction and expansion of one of the largest and most modern libraries in the world, intended to cover all fields of knowledge, and designed to be accessible to all using the most modern data transfer technologies. Surprisingly, the library does not maintain a wireless network.
We took a break for a frozen yogurt, and climbed onto the brand new, fully automated metro line, #14. The station is quite spacious and well planned. Our destination was l'hotel national des Invalides - Musee de l'Armee which houses Napolean's tomb. I have to say, we were impressed.
Dome ceiling above the tomb.
We also spent some time in the relief maps room of towns that figured in France's military history.
The Rodin Museum is a short distance away from Invalides and today is first Sunday of the month FREE day. So, even foot sore, we couldn't pass it up. Time is flying by and we're barely making a dent in all the things we would like to see. I love this museum and Chuck had never seen it.
This was Rodin's home, which he gave to the State, along with everything in it, as long as he could live in it until he died. He intended it to be the Rodin Museum. We found out when we arrived that there was a Robert Maplethorpe exhibit, ending today. I was so excited and then saw the incredible line trying to get into Rodin's house. I assumed it was for the Maplethorpe exhibit. But, we lucked out. Walking into the reception building, there was the exhibit! We had just enough time before closing to take it in. There were 2 photos of Patti Smith. This was a huge highlight of the day for me.
By now Chuck had to have something refreshing and kept seeing people waking by with ice cream. I complained that I wasn't getting any vegetables since our diet seems to consist of croissants, cheese and baguettes. He pointed out that the ice cream was green.
Pont Alexandre III, the most elaborate bridge in Paris. We enjoyed sitting on the quay, along with everyone else enjoying this gorgeous Sunday evening, while we ate our ice cream.
We decided on crepes for dinner. I had read about the Breizh Cafe with all the 5 star reviews and it's only blocks from our place. They are known for their buckwheat. We had to wait about 10 minutes but really lucked out when our server asked if the "terrace" was OK. Yes! It was quite warm inside and absolutely perfect outside at 8:15 pm. The cafe scene is alive and well; we were surrounded by them, up and down the street, and it really created a kind of party atmosphere. I guess they just don't want to face going to work tomorrow.
I ordered a savory crepe with mushrooms, Camembert cheese, bacon, creme fraiche and an egg. I was a little concerned that it would taste like breakfast but when I took my first bite, I had to control myself from moaning. So perfect, no other crepe will ever compare and it was decidedly dinner.
Chuck ordered a sweet crepe, buckwheat all the way, including the ice cream. He was disappointed in the small amount of ice cream but liked it otherwise. Great dinner for a total of 21 Euros in a lovely setting on a glorious night. Even a full moon!
Only two days left in Paris!
C&C
Hi! Remember me? :-) So you are now in France! Am enjoying your sightseeing around Paris. Michael and I were in Paris this summer, but not for long. Our goal was the Limoge area to stay with friends but our plane flew to Paris and then we took the train to Limoge. We are living in Prague now. Come on over! :-)
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