Paris - Deux
The first time to see the Eiffel Tower over there!
We walked through Luxembourg Gardens again but toward the opposite direction. The garden looked more beautiful this time. An early morning magic was working!
The Eiffel tower again! We didn't see the symbol of Paris the day before. It must have been always behind us.
Suddenly we ran into a big crowd around Église Saint-Sulpice. A religious event was going on at the second largest church in the city.
Breakfast time at Le Pré aux Clercs. The bistro was located nearby Au 35 and the hotel where J's relatives stayed. We both had a set of a croissant, tea/coffee and fromage frais (fromage blanc?) with honey. Good morning!
We stopped by at Musée national Eugène Delacroix before we met J's relatives up. The French Romantic painter's house and studio turned into the museum. It was rather small but neatly displayed his art works. There was a peaceful garden behind the house, too.
In fact it turned to a museum day. J's relatives took us to Musée d'Orsay. It was one of places that I have been very interested in. It's one of the most popular museums in the city. There was a long waiting line outside. However, we had a special VIP pass thanks to J's relatives. We simply entered through a special gate by passing the crowds by.
The building used to be a railway station and hotel, Gare d'Orsay that was built in 1900. The large arching ceiling of the station now gives the sculpture collection beautiful natural lights.
The impressionist art collection is said the largest and best in the world. I sincerely wish to take my farther there. He loved impressionist arts. He must have easily spent a whole day or two there. I could see a big smile on his face.
The sky was clear. It got very hot! We took a lunch and visited Musée de l'Armée.
The highlight was the Tomb of Napoleon I inside of the Dome, Dôme des Invalides. Wow! France had been rather the opposite side of the stories that I read in England. The lavishly decorated massive shrine at the center of France let me see the country from a different angle.
While J's relatives rested in hotel until dinner, we explored the 7th arrondissement of Paris more.
We bought premium ice cream from Ladurée. Yum.
Hello, the Eiffel! It was getting closer and closer.
Finally we saw the whole tower! It was a moment that I reconfirmed that I am actually in Paris! Many people were relaxing on the grass. Maybe it's a way for locals to spend a weekend afternoon.
To be continued...
