Highlights from Paris

Two days in Paris certainly isn't enough. I suppose I'll just have to go back. Maybe actually use the Metro. I think I probably walked about 30km over Friday and Saturday... But it was beautiful sunny weather, if cold, and it was exhilarating just to be there. I didn't take a lot of "Paris" photos - if you want to see the Eiffel Tower and the Arc d'Triomphe and the Mona Lisa, find them on the internet.

Skating outside Hôtel de Ville:
I went to many museums (3 on Friday and 1 on Saturday) and saw lots of art. First I went to the Rodin Museum because I'd never been and I like Rodin. There was all the famous stuff - the Thinker, the Gates of Hell, the Kiss, the Hand of God (and much much more). There was also a whole room of sculptures and portraits of Balzac.

Here is naked Balzac, just for Hannah:

The Thinker with Les Invalides in the background:
Then I went to the Musée des Moyens Ages which is in one of only two medieval buildings left in Paris (the Cluny). The cloister is lovely but I always have trouble with medieval museums. I love medieval literature and medieval history but medieval art bores me.

The Cluny was redeemed for a couple things though. One was the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, the jewel of the museum. They are quite spectacular and interesting. There are six, five of which depict the senses (Taste, Hearing, Smell, Touch and Sight) and the sixth which has the inscription "A mon seul desir" (To my only desire) which has elicited some debate but seems to symbolize free will. They are very detailed and the more you look at them, the more you spot and the more you can interpret. Symbols are fun!

The other thing which amused me was this part of a decorated table. It's kind of hard to see but there's a donkey lying in a bed with two ladies and a man clustered around him. One of the ladies is holding a goblet to his mouth. I have no idea what to make of it but I like it!

That evening, I also went to the Louvre (free on Friday nights for under-26!). Unfortunately the exhibit that I really wanted to see was no longer there. 'Mille e Tre' was curated by Umberto Eco and was an exhibition on lists in art and literature. I thought that sounded so cool but unfortunately I missed it.

I didn't stay very long after I found that out because I was quite tired but I did check out the Louvre's medieval section and a room on the ground floor which has many statues that I like. The Medieval Wing was kind of creepy because, although the more popular areas were busy, there was no one up there. It is just weird to be in the Louvre and have no one around. Especially as the sun goes down. It's just not meant to be.

The sword of the coronation of French Kings, called Joyeuse, and is, allegedly, the actual Joyeuse of Charlemagne. There is some uncertainty about this.

Nymph with a Scorpion by Bartolini. I like this picture because of the reflections. I don't know why they have placed her facing the window when her front is just as interesting as her back.
Saturday I went to the Petit Palais, another art museum, more heavily weighted to the 19th century. It had a lovely garden in the centre as well. I only wish it were summer! Museumed out, I then got thoroughly lost on the right bank and ended up in the Palais Royale and Les Halles.

It was a lovely little trip and I hope to repeat it again and again. I'm still glad of my decision not to live in Paris but it's certainly wonderful to visit.