Paris - last days finishing the museums

Jun 5

Jun 5 Paris - last days finishing the museums

The last day and a half was to be dominated by museums and shopping - one to balance out the other :)

Since the Louvre is the only museum open on a Monday and my friends had to work, me and my sister made our way to the infamous museum right in arr. 1 bright and early by 8.30am.

With a modest line out the front by the pyramid we were inside the museum in 10 mins everything was pretty well organized to deal with the crowds of people that swarm it every day. With one app downloaded on my phone and one audio guide with my sister, a map in hand and we were ready to tackle this mammoth of a museum.

Beginning with Denon to make sure we saw the Mona Lisa and making our way through to Sully and finally Richelieu - we finished with Napoleons apartments and were out of there in 4 hours having seen the must-sees and masterpieces. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much or even want to spend that much time in there, but the sheers size if the place keeps you on your feet and your eyes peeled to the walls.

A nice break was required with a cafe and a big lunch along with chocolate mouse and crime brûlée to give us the sugar rush we needed to go on.

Making our way to St-German Des Pres we began our shopping half of the day. Having spent a few hundered euros on some beautiful clothes and a lovely pair of black leather boots, I was satisfied I had done my bit of Parisian shopping.

Just after a quick afternoon break at Brasserie Lipp and some Profiterole we were then joined by my friends and taken along arr. 5 to the Patheon and then through arr. 13 to a secluded street unknown to most tourist and had dinner at the Basque restaurant whose name I will have to confirm.

A platter or meat, a bowl of potatoes calant and two bottles of wine later we made our way to Trocadeau station for my last view of the Eiffel Tower. I have to say this was the best and least crowded view I've see of the Eiffel. With that sunset view in mind we headed home for our last night of drinks and catching up of 5 years. Oh how I missed my lovely friend and how lucky I felt that even after 5 years of not seeing each other it was like we had met yesterday even though both of us had undoubtedly changed. She and her boy friend made my visit to Paris one to remember - to the perfect hosts. Merci beaucoup!

The next morning with only 3 hours to spare before my train to Zurich I made my way early morning to Musee D'Orsay and I'm so glad I did. This converted train station was a most unique setting for impressionist and post impressionist artists. Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir and Van Gosh consumed me for the last few hours in Paris. Waking back through Point de Art and see the bridge with the locks I made my way to Garde Lyon station to catch my train to my next destination.