Paris, Day 5: Food! Art!

[scarlettina]

Morning businessThe original plan for yesterday (Friday) was to go to the Musee D'Orsay in the morning and then spend the afternoon at the Catacombs. What we realized when we rose was that we were pretty much out of groceries (we've been eating breakfast in the apartment each day to save a little cash), and had to do something about that. We also

Comments

[skidspoppe]

May I add a book to your reading list: Christopher Moore's latest, Sacre Bleu, centers around the death of Van Gogh and the impressionistic period and people you so beautifully mentioned.

I can't wait to hear more stories. I'm making a list of places to see based on your reports!

[varina8]

Pierre Bonnard should be better known; his work is wonderful. My favorite part of the d'Orsay is the pastel collection. Did you get to Redon's pastel of Buddha in the garden? I was crushed that the pastel gallery was closed for renovation the last time I was there.

[willowgreen]

I'm just catching up on your Paris reports -- how wonderful that you're there! My husband & I went in 2008. I hadn't been there since 1982, when the Orsay was still an abandoned (but beautiful) train station, so I was very excited to visit. The day we went, only the first floor was open due to a strike -- which was a bit of a disappointment, but there's plenty to see on the first floor. We were looking at the Rosa Bonheurs when I turned around and saw a couple I knew from church! It was totally unexpected and delightful.

My own favorite English bookstore in Paris is the WH Smith & Sons on the Rue di Rivoli. It's a chain, so it doesn't have the character of Shakespeare & Co., but it's also a lot less crowded. And they still stock plenty of books that you can't find in the U.S.

Now I'm going to finish catching up on your trip!