A bit more about Paris
Paris was lovely, though the weather was a bit....confused. It rained when we arrived. Drizzly, and such, and we stayed at the Concorde La Fayette. It's very much a business hotel. A kind of cheesy, business hotel. If you know the city, it was on the edge of the business district and tourist district. About 1 km or less from the Champs Elysses. After I got settled in, here was my day.
Walked from the hotel to the Arc D'Triomphe. Took the metro with a transfer to the Musee D'Orsay. Saw a ridiculously long line, and remembered that the only things open on Sundays are museums, so it was packed. I walked around until I found a bistro with a nice menu, and ordered a duck confit dish. It was great. A bit rich, as the potatoes were heavy, but the duck was soooooo good. That many o's are necessary to describe my happiness. The service was abyssmal, but such is life.
After lunch, I walked back to the D'Orsay, and realized the line was significantly shorter. I hopped in, and they cut the cue in half, by splitting the line, and I was in the building in less than 10 minutes. The D'Orsay is home to much of the impressionist movement. Just an amazing collection, but the building itself was impressive. It used to be a train station, but now, they keep the feel of the original building, which is gorgeous. I wanted to have lunch there, but not if I had to wait that long to get in. There is a beautiful range of statues there, and I loved the exhibit on the Opera house, which was just amazing. The Rodin and Carpeaux pieces are just great, and I could stare at them for a day, and be happy.
I find that Monet just doesn't do it for me. Renoir, Degas, those impress the heck out of me, but Monet is just overplayed. I suppose a trip to his gardens is in order, and that may change my mind. I picked up a couple postcards of pieces that I hadn't really appreciated before, and walked on, a couple hours later.
I walked back from the D'Orsay, by way of the Tuilleries, Concorde, and the Champs Elysses. All but a few stores were closed, but such is life. I checked the venue, and then met up with Kevin, our head of PR for dinner. We had a lazy, 3 course dinner with Cafe and Vin. The Foie Gras appetizer was so rich, but so amazing. I had seared scallops for dinner, and then a millefuille with caramel sauce. It was great. It was the end of a good, but long day.
Walked from the hotel to the Arc D'Triomphe. Took the metro with a transfer to the Musee D'Orsay. Saw a ridiculously long line, and remembered that the only things open on Sundays are museums, so it was packed. I walked around until I found a bistro with a nice menu, and ordered a duck confit dish. It was great. A bit rich, as the potatoes were heavy, but the duck was soooooo good. That many o's are necessary to describe my happiness. The service was abyssmal, but such is life.
After lunch, I walked back to the D'Orsay, and realized the line was significantly shorter. I hopped in, and they cut the cue in half, by splitting the line, and I was in the building in less than 10 minutes. The D'Orsay is home to much of the impressionist movement. Just an amazing collection, but the building itself was impressive. It used to be a train station, but now, they keep the feel of the original building, which is gorgeous. I wanted to have lunch there, but not if I had to wait that long to get in. There is a beautiful range of statues there, and I loved the exhibit on the Opera house, which was just amazing. The Rodin and Carpeaux pieces are just great, and I could stare at them for a day, and be happy.
I find that Monet just doesn't do it for me. Renoir, Degas, those impress the heck out of me, but Monet is just overplayed. I suppose a trip to his gardens is in order, and that may change my mind. I picked up a couple postcards of pieces that I hadn't really appreciated before, and walked on, a couple hours later.
I walked back from the D'Orsay, by way of the Tuilleries, Concorde, and the Champs Elysses. All but a few stores were closed, but such is life. I checked the venue, and then met up with Kevin, our head of PR for dinner. We had a lazy, 3 course dinner with Cafe and Vin. The Foie Gras appetizer was so rich, but so amazing. I had seared scallops for dinner, and then a millefuille with caramel sauce. It was great. It was the end of a good, but long day.