Day 4: Saturday, November 3rd
We had a full day on our last day in Paris since our train didn't leave town until 7:45pm. On our way to breakfast, we got soaked (despite having umbrellas). It rained so hard, and we weren't wearing waterproof shoes. So, we ate breakfast (wet), and then went back to the apartment for warm, dry clothes, and put on our wellies that we should have worn in the first place. You live & learn. :)
Some "pompiers" (firemen) were practicing
water rescues when we walked by.
We watched 2 of them jump from the bridge and practice.
Warm & dry in our wellies!
Looking for puddles!
Our first stop was a museum called Musee de l'Orangerie. It contains 8 of Claude Monet's water lilies. From the moment, you enter the gallery where Monet's panoramic water lilies are, you feel a sense of calmness come over you. They were quite beautiful in person. Musee de l'Orangerie is probably my favorite museum in Paris. You enter into a completely white room. Monet designed the gallery to create a "decompression space" between "the city's agitation and his work."
He was quoted in 1909 saying, "Nerves overwrought by work would relax there just like the relaxing example of those stagnant waters, and, for whomever inhabited it, this room would offer asylum for peaceful meditation amidst a flowery aquarium. "
Monet succeeded. It's a stunning gallery.
We weren't allowed to take pictures.
After lunch, our next stop was the Musee d'Orsay. The museum is in a former train station. Here we were able to see a lot of Impressionist paintings & more. It was great to be able to introduce the boys to Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, etc.
(Again, no pictures allowed)
People enjoying the sun in the Tuileries Gardens
Overall, our 1st family trip to Paris was a huge success. The boys seemed incredibly happy, and Mike and were pleased with how much they were able to handle at the museums. We look forward to our next trip back,when, hopefully, heavy coats are not necessary.
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