Une visite a Paris!

We were so happy to welcome our close friends from San Mateo, Rhonda Press and Larry Ragent, who visited us for 5 days.  It was Rhonda's first trip to Paris and it was a challenge to cram in as much as possible.  And we did!

We started off just exploring our neighborhood, the Marais, which has become a very trendy area, loaded with boutiques and restaurants.

A dress in a trendy shop

Rhonda and me walking through the Marais district

Right around the corner from our apartment, is the Musée des Arts et Métiers, (Museum of Arts and Trades), an industrial design museum in Paris that houses the collection of the National Conservatory of Arts and Industry.  It was founded in 1794 as a repository for the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions.

Musee des Arts et Metiers

Arts et Metiers metro station resembling Jules Verne's submarine--very cool!

A must-see is the Galeries Lafayette department store during the Christmas season.

 

Another must is the Lafayette Gourmet department which covers 2 floors in a separate building (Food and Home).  Amazing selection of pastries, breads, groceries, cheeses...you get the idea!  As everyone knows, the French take their food VERY seriously.

A huge variety of spices...

...and gourmet salts

We squeezed in a visit to the always special Musee d'Orsay (Impressionist art).

 
 A recently discovered Monet

Next day:  Versailles Palace!

 Rhonda, Larry and me at the entrance to Versailles Palace

 
 Hall of Mirrors

 A selfie in the Hall of Mirrors

All four of us really love the outdoors, so off we went to explore the magnificent gardens.

 Outside the palace at the beginning of walking through the grounds

 Plenty of beautiful paths with autumn leaves

 
 The Grand Trianon

 Malachite bowl

 Inner courtyard of the Petite Trianon

 Temple of Love near the Petite Trianon

 More fall colors

For me, the piece de resistance at Versailles, was the area far from the palace called The Hamlet which was a rustic retreat (complex of small buildings) built for Marie Antoinette in 1783.  It served as a private meeting place for the Queen and her closest friends and also a place of leisure. 








 Sunset at Versailles

Another day was rainy, but armed with our trusty umbrellas and rain jackets we walked along the Champs Elysees and stopped in at the Petit Palais.

Rodin sculpture

We continued walking to the Arc de Triomphe.  It was especially meaningful because November 11th was Armistice Day and there were many wreaths laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 Champs d'Elysses lined with flags for Armistice Day

 Bleachers set up for the morning ceremony

 Wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

And a trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Eiffel Tower!

 Lit up at dusk

Comments

  1. RobbieNovember 15, 2017 at 2:11 PM

    What fun it is following you. And even more special seeing all of you together. Can't wait to hear more when Rhonda and Larry return. Hugs from here!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Miri and LarryNovember 25, 2017 at 3:07 AM

    Lucky Ronda and Larry having you both as tourist guides extraordinaire. It looks like you maximized every precious moment. AHH...PAREE!

    ReplyDelete

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