Last time I visited Paris, I was a teenager traveling with my mom and my brother. This time, I am returning solo (thanks to my dear hubby staying home with M) and I get to experience Paris again 20+ years later.
My first stop is Musee de l’Orangerie, an intimate and small museum that housed Claude Monet’s Water Lilies (Les Nymphéas). Late in Monet’s life, he bought a piece of land in Giverny and converted it into water lilies garden where it became his subject of 250 creations. The paintings are housed in 2 elliptical rooms as continuous loops that encourage the visitor to gaze in endless contemplation. He wants to experience all variation of lights and also experience lack of boundary between water and sky. It gave me chills as I walked in. I also learned, Monet created these works and intended to create a haven for peaceful meditation after the horror of WWI. I am so glad I visited this museum first.
Since It was a sunny afternoon, I decided to do what Parisians do best, people watching with a big ice cream in my hand in the Tuileries Gardens. A hour later, I headed to Musee du Louvre. I went back to revisit Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and the Egyptian sections of Winged Bull. I only managed to see 1 out of 4 wings of the museum. Beyond admiring the masterpieces, a fact comes back to me continuously is that I was in awe of the speed and the effort in removing all the artworks and big fragile status in such short amount of the time during WWII (6 days with 1,400 people). Wow, a new level of appreciation.
Look at the architectural detail on the roof of the Louvre.
I started my 2nd day with a nice cup of coffee with a rooftop view of the Paris building across the street. I love every building has its decorative details from statue to wrought iron gates, to planted flower pots. I reminded myself often to look up.
I then made my way to Dominique’s home, the location of my French cooking class. We first accompanied him to a nearby Farmer’s market where we purchased the of freshest ingredients. We created a 3 course meal: Salade de courgettes au chevre-Zucchir (zucchini with sundried tomato and fresh goat cheese), chicken with caramelized onions and rosemary potatoes, and Clafoutis aux cerises-Cherries ( plum tart). They are all simple, but elegant enough that I look forward to duplicating this at home. We enjoyed our hard labor with, of course, French wine.
Look at this cute French boy helping his daddy to sell fresh goat cheese.
Then, I went to 16th district and visited Musse of Marmotten which housed more Monet water lilies paintings, along with other Impressionist artists. I took the scenic route home after visited iconic Eiffel Tower.
My last day in Paris. I visited a Sunday Farmer’s Market and sampled more crepe and chocolate croissants. Then I went to visit Musee d’orsay. It is supposed to be the 2nd most popular art museum, following the Louvre. Anticipating long lines to get in, I pre-purchased all museums tix on-line, so I got in immediately with a separate priority entrance. All the paintings are housed in a converted train station. The architectural look is just as incredible as the artworks it houses, including those from Van Gough, Paul Cezanne, Rodin… I finally got to see see some Rodin statues! The Rodin museum itself is closed for a 1 year renovation. Rodin’s museum will definitely be one of my stops next time. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, I had to say goodbye to Paris and headed back to DD.
A few lessons learned:
- Do not go to Paris in August since all locals are on vacation. City is less crowded, but all major attractions are crowded with tourists. I think Fall would be a great time of the year to visit.
- Plan at least 2-3 hours everyday of doing nothing by enjoying a nice cup of coffee or ice cream cone at a Bistro.
- Prepare a nice picnic basket and enjoy it in the outdoors.
I am looking forward to my next return trip with my hubby and M and hopefully it won’t be another 20 years.
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