Hi all, I slept pretty well last night, and left at about 8.30am with Ian and Robyn for the Musée D’Orsay. It was originally the Gare D’Orsay, a train station constructed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair). By 1939 the platforms were too short for the trains then requiring them, so it became abandoned. In 1986 it was opened as the Musée and today it houses many sculptures and paintings, and has one of the best impressionist collections in the world. To be honest, the building itself is a work of art. European train stations are amazing, and this was no exception. It had a magnificent clock up above, and we enjoyed taking in the station itself before heading off to find some of our favourite artists - Monet, Degas and Van Gogh. Upstairs, a clock served as a huge window, and through it we could see Sacre Couer and the opera house. The weather was beautiful again. We also enjoyed a huge painting of Paris. The highlight for me was ‘Starry Night’ by Van Gogh. It’s one of my favourites and is magnificent. There was also a painting of a dance by Renoir that was impressive as well. I also enjoyed Degas’ ballerinas. I had visited here in 2010, but so much time had passed that I didn’t have too much memory of the place. We finished up with a bite to eat in the cage that had another great clock view. After this, Ian and Robyn headed off on a 24 hour trip to Chartres to see a light show tonight at the cathedral. Due to only having a few days here, I opted to stay in Paris and explore. I took the opportunity with the magnifique weather. I walked along the Seine to the Hotel des Invalides, the gold dome of which glinted in the sunshine. Napoleon is buried here. I then turned a corner and ended up at the Champ de Mars to see the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately the day that Robyn and I are due to go up looks like rain, so I thought I would come and see it in the sunshine today. It was once again beautiful. I sat and admired it for a while before I continued on. Lots of people were sitting in the park having a picnic, it was a lovely day for it. As I crossed the river, I wandered over to where I rang in 2011 on New Year’s Eve - the Trocadero Gardens. Scammers everywhere here with clipboards etc. One approached me and said “do you speak English?” I said “to you? No.” I’ve developed a really good “leave me alone” face over the years. She got the idea pretty quickly and I wasn’t bothered by any others. After wandering around here I walked to the metro. I must have looked French today as two separate French people came up to me asking about a platform or something. I caught the train to Sainte Chapelle as I had a 2.30pm ticket. I arrived right on 2.30pm, but I needn’t have worried. In 2010 they were running really late here with timed tickets, and nothing had changed 12 years on!! I waited until 3.10pm and chatted to some Americans around me. We all agreed once inside it was worth the wait. The stained glass was incredible. The gothic church was built in 1248 and has the best collection of 13th century stained glass anywhere in the world. It was damaged during the revolution but has been restored magnificently. Next up I used my combined ticket to visit the Conciergerie, which I know I visited in 2010 but had zero recollection of. It was a royal palace originally that was built in the 14th century. It later served as a prison, and Marie Antoinette was held here during the revolution awaiting trial. They gave each visitor an iPad that you used to scan some codes, and then you could hold the camera up and move it around and it displayed what the building would have looked like in the past. It was interesting! Then I started my walk towards the Jardin du Luxembourg. En route I bought a delicious ice cream (blackcurrant and mango) and saw the Sorbonne. The Jardin du Luxembourg was stunning. The vibe was totally different to in 2010. In 2010 I visited during winter and the grounds here were covered in snow, and there was no one around. No plants or flowers etc. Today the park was buzzing with life. Home to a former Medici palace, the pond (unfrozen today!) was surrounded by children and their parents hiring and operating sail boats in the sunshine. The gardens were full of flowers and plants, and many people were relaxing in deck chairs. I even did this for a while and people watched which was lovely. I kept reflecting on the contrast between my visit in 2010 and this visit, and then with the help of a French girl I recreated a photo from back then. Lots less layers of clothing required today!! I also enjoyed the Medici fountain in the park (lots more people reading and relaxing here), and listening to what appeared to be some sort of military band performing at the opposite end to the Luxembourg Palace. Not sure what this was for but it was nice background music! Next I headed to Place de l’Estrapade, which is where a lot of the show ‘Emily in Paris’ is filmed. I couldn’t resist as I was in the neighbourhood! I saw her apartment, the square, Gabriel’s restaurant and the bakery she visits. I then walked another block and saw the beautiful Pantheon and the church St Etienne du Mont. It was at this stage that I started to feel really tired, and my hip was protesting with how much I’d walked. I’ve been trying to not let it stop me but it does bother me at times. So instead of walking back from here I caught the metro. I went straight out for dinner at a cute little bistro near the apartment. The waiter was lovely. I sat facing the street and watched the world pass me by. I had delicious bread and French onion soup, a glass of wine and some crème brûlée for dessert. All were fantastic! I then had a rest at the apartment before heading to Montmartre. I had only planned to have a quick look around, but after looking at some cute streets and Sacre Couer, I stumbled across a busker playing in front of the church with a beautiful outlook over the city. I sat and enjoyed the music which included random travellers performing too, and the busker got some Ukrainians up at one point and we all sang ‘Imagine’ and ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’. I was sitting next to a Brazilian guy, Kayan, who I got to talking to. He is a pilot for Emirates and we each chatted away about our lives. I had such a good time watching the busker and chatting that the night went very quickly. Before I knew it it was 11pm. I went past the hotel I stayed at in 2010 quickly, then past the Moulin Rouge. I just made the last metro home to head back to the apartment (it stops at 12.15am on our line). I’ve had a huge (but excellent!) day. Good night! Love to all Claire Xoxox
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