Au Revior Paris

Today was our last day in Paris. We took the Metro into the centre of Paris - working out how to buy the tickets was interesting but we were saved by an English man who obviously lives here and knew his way around a Metro station or two - Phew!

 First stop was back to the Musee D'Orsay to see the rest of the collection. Some great views from the top of the building.

 Including this gorgeous one looking back to Montmatre butte (hill) and Sacre Couer.

 Then we walked a few blocks around to Musee Rodin - the home of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. I visited here many years ago and it hasn't changed much. They are currently doing major renovations. Although The Thinker, Burghers of Calais, Gates of Hell and many other important Rodin works were there The Kiss wasn't. It's my favourite Rodin sculpture so I was a bit disappointed. What I thought was a reproduction of it in Le Louvre must have been the original, but it was much better seeing it in Rodin's house.

 In the gardens listening to music coming out of the trees - really truly!

 Burghers of Calais.

 Then this afternoon was the grand parade of the Montmatre Festival. Don't these kids look cute?!

 Oh and look at that cute kid taking photos from the safety of the apartment whilst his mother sweats it out with the crowds in the street.......

 Other groups in the parade represented the different harvests and foods - cheese makers, wine makers, etc. I'm not sure why Wild Bill Hicock made an appearance though?!!! He was certainly enjoying the limelight!

 And our last meal out in Paris and we ate.......snails! Yes we did - and they don't taste like chicken at all. But they do taste yummy!

 Did I actually just eat six snails? Yes James, you did!

So tomorrow we are off to Ireland. I guess tomorrow night we'll be having a Guinness or two!

Au Revior Paris. We've loved living in this beautiful city for a week and especially in Montmatre village. It's been fun!

Til next time - from The Emerald Isle. xx

Montmatre

We had a change of plan yesterday morning over breakfast and decided to stay in Montmatre for the day - getting a little overloaded with galleries and museums!

So we took a leisurely walk around parts of the streets nearby that we hadn't yet seen. There is a photo opportunity around almost every corner. We walked a different way up to Scare Coeur hoping it wouldn't be so busy today - these parklands around the base of the hill and leading up to the basilica are so pretty.  

 A restaurant on the way up the hill.

 The view from the base of Sacre Coeur is one of the best views in Paris. You can see for miles across the rooftops of Paris.

 The crowd was much smaller today so we went inside for a look. Gorgeous architecture which was built to raise the spirits of the French people after they lost the Franco Prussian war and is dedicated to the 58,000 people who lost their lives in this war. The basilica was completed in 1914 but wasn't opened and consecrated until 1919 after the end of World War 1.

This week is the annual festival of  Montmatre and there is lots happening around the area. These men and women were dressed to impress! All around the base of Sacre Coeur there were food and wine stalls - the grilled duck and foie gras baguettes were very yummy!! 

 We did manage to fit in one gallery and it was this one which had an amazing collection of work by Salvadore Dali - mainly sculptures and prints. You could even buy some original Dali prints which at around $6000 each I thought was pretty good value. But there's not one coming home in my luggage unfortunately! There are, however, three lovely small original artworks coming home with us which we bought from a lovely gallery just a few doors from our apartment. Not the usual tourist artworks but lovely contemporary pieces from French artists.

 Heading back down the hill.

So today is our last day in Paris. We are going back into the city for another look at Musee D'Orsay and hopefully the Rodin museum as well.

Hope everyone is well at home and the heat isn't getting too bad yet. The weather here has cooled down quite a bit since we first arrived - it was quite chilly out and about yesterday and had James looking for every excuse to go indoors!

Until next time xx

Ooh La La!

Another day in the heart of Paris yesterday. Walking through the streets of Montmatre to go to the bus stop we noticed that this is how you fix your car in France - my Mum - otherwise known as "Mona duct tape fixes everything Bowles" - would be proud of this car owner!!

 We visited Musee De L'Orangerie which had a great Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera temporary exhibition (I love Rivera's work and the story of Frida and Diego's life), and several of Monet's LARGE waterlily paintings - just beautiful.

And then after a snack of crepes and a caffe latte we headed to the Musee D'Orsay. Wow, Wow, Wow! More famous artists than you can poke a stick at - and we didn't see it all so are heading back there today. Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Pissaro, Seurat, Gauguin.......Wow! James was a little awestruck!

There was also a great temporary exhibition called 'Masculine' which focussed on the male nude from historical to contemporary times - fantastic show. Imagine being an art student and living in Paris!

 And to end the day we went to a see La Nouvelle Eve - a fantastic cabaret show. Lynda if you're reading this, thanks for the great tip - we loved it!

 No photos were allowed of the show so here's a couple of Australians trying to pretend they're cultured!!

 Great food and wine with lovely table service.

 And on the way home another little night shot - this is where we live!! the building in the middle is our apartment building - we are up three flights of stairs. I'm getting fit!!! 

Love to all til next time xx

we found Mona!

After an early morning shopping expedition for baguettes and croissants we headed back in to the heart of Paris today to visit Le Louvre.

 and look who we found....! whilst jostling with hundreds of others for prime position!

Oh Mona you are so famous and so small!

 The pyramid structure over the entrance - which wasn't here last I visited - is pretty amazing. But where was Robert Langdon...?!

 Nope that's not him! 

 Back on the Hop On Hop Off bus for a long ride around town - this artiste was having his lunch....until he spotted me taking his photo!

 We drove up the Champs de Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe....with a lot of other mad Parisian drivers!

 Viva La France!

 and we whizzed past this again....!

 Back to Montmatre, a little shopping for a new pair of shoes for James and to finish off today some night shots of our streets in Montmatre

We've decided that a week isn't enough in Paris - there is just so much to see and do. 

Hope you're enjoying our blog - don't forget to leave us a comment....come on don't be a lurker!!!

Until next time, Au Revior xx

we love Paris

The day started off a little dubiously...good morning Van Bowles

 And then it was off into the heart of Paris on the Hop On Hop Off bus to see the sights. And we sure did see some sights. First stop was Notre Dame Cathedral. I fell in love with this building when I was just 18 years old and visited Paris. Today I fell in love all over again. It is truly one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen - inside and out. Hey Rob, check out those flying buttresses!

 Although there were many people inside you could feel the reverence that the visitors had for this special building. We sat for a very long time in silence and awe at the beauty around us.

 I find it hard to hold back my tears when I visit such beautiful buildings and places and today was no different. I always feel so lucky that we are able to see the world and visit these gorgeous places. We lit a candle here today for someone special.

 After leaving Notre Dame we walked along the Seine and then caught the boat along to.....

 this place! Bonjour Le Tour Eiffel!

 Another awe inspiring structure, which towers over the city (no pun intended!)

 Lunch on the street right next to Notre Dame - cafe latte, baguettes, pate and a great view!

 I really need to lose this boy somewhere....but he just keeps following me!

Until tomorrow....xx

Bonjour from Paris

Bonjour from Paris! 

We arrived in Paris after two days of travelling with an overnight stop in Hong Kong. Our apartment is in the beautiful 18th arrondissement of Montematre and is very central and cosy. This area of Paris is gorgeous and we are already feeling like this will become one of favourite parts of the world. We have been out shopping for bread and cheeses, meat from the rotisserie, patisseries and a bottle or two of wine! There is so much yumminess at every turn and only so many days to taste it all! We have just come back to the apartment after a delicious lunch with a glass of wine at a restaurant just around the corner where all the locals eat - sitting at little tables on the street watching the world go by listening to lovely French accents.

There is, of course, a distinct artistic flavour to Montematre - once home to many now famous artists...Van Gogh, Renior, Dali, Utrillo, Monet, Manet, Valadon, Toulouse Lautrec - the list goes on! I love that we are walking the streets that these men and women once trod.  

 This morning we took a guided walk with a local around this area. Great local and historical knowledge. We saw many famous landmarks and a few we definitely wouldn't have found on our own. First stop was Moulin Rouge - the guide was impressed when I told him some of the dancers in the cabarets here came from Maclean! He thought I was a dance teacher when I said I'd taught them - I could show them a few steps!!!

 This gorgeous blue door is the entrance to the building where Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo lived for some time. There were artificial sunflowers hanging in the shutters of the windows. 

 Up the hill - Montematre is built on a hill - and there are two remaining windmills which once provided all the flour for Paris to make bread. In Paris they have an annual contest amongst the boulangeries (bakeries) for the best baguette - and the winner gets to provide the President with baguettes for a year afterwards. I wonder if he pays?!

 Outside the Au Lapin Agile cabaret - a cabaret for philosophers, poets and thinkers; not parties, can can girls and good times!

 Le artiste!

 Sacre Couer basilica on top of the hill of Montematre. Very busy both times we have visited so we intend to get up early one morning and go before the crowds arrive.

One of the views from our apartment windows. Sitting here we hear church bells ringing, people talking at nearby cafes and restaurants and music played by buskers.

The Parisians we have met have all been very friendly and happy to talk even when their English is not so good - and my French is very limited. They appreciate any attempt we make to speak French - and we have even learnt a couple of new words! 

Tomorrow we are going to set off in to the centre of Paris - Bonjour Eiffel Tower and Le Louvre! 

Until next time, Au Revior! xx