Taking on three major items today, each requiring up front planning. We set out fairly early, after breakfast at the Dauphine (Janie’s little restaurant here). All hands were out the door at about 8:15 AM and ready to cross the Seine!
First stop Friday morning, The Louvre. The grand daddy of all art museums (yearly visitation a whopping 9 million). We were early and in the correct line up for a 9:00 AM timed entry with our online ticket. Unfortunately, just prior to opening, they posted a sign saying “Staff Assembly – Opening at 10:15 AM”. Hard to keep your courage up when that happens. However, we hung in there and hoped for the best! The building actually opened at 9:30 AM… Bonus! Then off to the exhibits.
Like many of those visiting, we headed directly for the Mona Lisa! She’s nestled in the Denon Wing on the first floor, and is quite clearly marked for visitors purposefully wanting to get there before crowds. Several things of note… The painting itself is physically not very large, behind a protective glass, and barricades are in place to keep the crowd a fair distance back. Our early arrival got us up front and we left shortly thereafter to plan the rest of our visit.
With map in hand we focused on several highlights, including sculptures such as Winged Samothrace and Venus de Milo, the Napoleon III apartments and paintings including Vermeer’s “Lacemaker”. All in, we spent roughly two hours prowling about in what is a huge complex of art / plunder from the antiquities. The Louvre is almost obscene in the volume of holdings… And I much prefer the smaller, more intimate collections. However, if you want to see the Mona Lisa (other than on Google) you gotta get through that pyramid! Good visit in the end, after what was shaping up to be a horrible start to the day!
We walked our worn route home and caught our breath for 45 minutes or so before striking out again, this time to another mega attraction, the Palace of Versailles (seeing over 5 million visitors a year). The trick to Versailles was more navigational for us than anything else. We used the RER C line to get there, picking that up just minutes away from our apartment at St Michel-Notre Dame Station. Janie was very successful purchasing the tix… And we bought return items to save the hassle in Versailles. Got a little lost on the track though… Getting on the wrong train. We corrected by getting off at the next stop and hopping on the correct one! All good from there.
Once in Versailles… We made our way (kind of following the others) to the main gates of the Palace. Probably spent up to 20 minutes completing Security & Ticket Entry. Then into the complex for a lesson in French History! Extravagant, opulent, regal… All descriptors that come to mind when thinking of the palace. Its vast, and tours only visit a small portion of the interior. The tour route was very busy… A tangle of selfie stick, audio guide and group visits!
We spent time in the Hall of Mirrors, viewing the painting of Napoleon’s coronation, and especially the gardens outside. It’s all very linear and quite remarkable. We sat for a bit on the steps that overlook the expanse of the gardens… It seemed to go on forever and the entire complex must require a small army for maintenance and upkeep. It seems as though cost wasn’t a factor in anything here!
Post visit we promptly got lost. This, inevitably, is usually a sign that I/we are getting tired, or even more so underprepared for the task. It took some time, extra steps, Samaritans and luck but we eventually righted things and were on the train back into Paris. We waltzed into the Dauphine around 5:00 PM a little “out of step”, but ready for one more evening event.
At about 6:15 PM we headed across the river to meet our hosts, Phillippe and Dzianis, for an evening of French dining. VizEat, the meal sharing website, sets up authentic meal experiences where visitors can book a meal with a host in another city or country. Janie heard about it on CBC Radio and we decided to give it a whirl! After several emails correspondence and the necessary information shared, all that was left was showing up!
After a warm reception and friendly discussion, we began the evening with a toast and a customary French welcoming drink (kir), an aperitif. Basically, it was a raspberry liqueur with white wine. Then we all enjoyed a small glass with a tomato, cheese and basil mixture served cold. It was almost like a bruschetta (not loaded with spices) and cheese parfait. At 8:00 PM we sat at the table and enjoyed a roasted Camembert with bread. It was excellent and the kids took seconds! Very enjoyable, mixed with a scrumptious Red Wine. The “plat principal” consisted of two different types of quiche. Both were excellent, but while talking on the way home everyone noted the amazing flavour of the first “creme” based offering. Another visitor, John from DC, brought a fine Bordeaux Red Wine which paired nicely with the quiche. Finally, chocolate covered bananas and strawberries rounded out the dessert.
Perhaps most fun of all was the conversation home. The kids enjoyed the family pet Joie, the evening of French language discussion, and of course our new Paris friends. We thought it was a great opportunity to immerse into another culture, see inside an authentic Paris apartment and break bread with others. I’m quite sure we’ll do this again at some point! If you’re outgoing and enjoy the act of eating with others, then this is for you! Cudos to Janie for pulling this idea out of the reeds and making it happen. Thanks to the kids for cooperating in such a mannerly way. We got home a little before midnight… Another huge day of learning in Paris.
My guess is that Day Seven was another smashing success. Your description of the menu sounded like something “to die for”.
It truly is a trip that all of you will fondly remember for many years to come.
Many thanks for the updates. They are enjoyed and appreciated.
Hey Eileen… We’ve finished up in Paris and hunkered down at a Hilton near the Airport. Early 7:30 AM flight out tomorrow to Brussels. Hopefully we get a good sleep (everyone is dragging their butts now) and can make all connections tomorrow! Janie did a great job lining up that meal… Something I wouldn’t have thought of trying! We’re on the home stretch! Cheers…