We Climbed that Arch

If you climb the Eiffel Tower at night,

You won't have a view of the Eiffel Tower at night. 

So we climbed the Arc de Triomphe.

(It was free with our museum passes)

But only after stopping by the Musee D'Orsay to pose with Rhinos,

Crossing the Seine River at sunset,

And buying gummy alligators from a vending machine,

in the Metro,

 under the Champs Elysees. 

Versailles Fountain Conversion

Just as we were about to leave the palace gardens, 

we heard shotguns in the distance. 

I've read that hunting is big in France, 

But thought it strange a shooting range would be located next to the palace. 

A few minutes later, water started gurgling out of the fountains! 

Led by my nephew,  we sprinted around the gardens,

Amazed how the new element,

Gushing from the mouthes of frogmen and dragons,

  

Washed away earlier complaints of crowds, jet lag, and hunger,

and made us regret,

  the 8:00 p.m. closing time.

The Petit Trianon & Domain of Marie Antoinette

Versailles got better and better, 

The farther away we wandered from the main palace. 

Little feet roamed free in the expansive gardens, 

In search of hedge "mazes," (any hedge qualified)

And found delight in carp-filled ponds and bullfrog-choired creeks. 

I enjoyed shaded benches,

Iris-thatched roof lines,

And a bits of decay. 

A Visit to the Palatable Palace: The Grand Trianon at Versailles

Following our walk around the Orangerie, we jumped on the Petit Train du Versailles (6.90 for adults, 5.30 for 11-18s, < 11 free) to the Grand Trianon Palace.

 I've walked from palace to palace before, but with kids the train was totally worth it. 

The Grand Trianon, built in 1687, is a dignified little place surrounded by gardens ripe for strolling. 

Jules Mansart, the architect, intended to build "A little pink marble and porphyry palace with delightful gardens." 

325 years later, I think his vision is holding up quite well. 

Picnic anyone?

We Made a Break for It: The Orangerie at Versailles

Next time I'll Skip the Main Palace: Versailles

True to form, visiting the main palace at Versailles made me lose faith in humanity, 

The way shopping at Costco on a Saturday afternoon makes me lose faith in humanity. 

The frenzy of over-the-top decor, and wall to wall bodies snapping photos, 

Of royal beds, 

And halls of mirrors, 

(Where incidentally the Treaty of Versailles, which led to the end of WWI, was signed)

Made me agree with my nephew's plea,

 to get out into the gardens ASAP!

A Day at the Louvre with a Million Other People

For one reason or another I hadn't planned on huge crowds in Paris. To see the sights without waiting in lines required early mornings or late nights-neither scenario worked for young kids.

So we made the most of mid-day hours at crowded cultural attractions. 

From Notre Dame, we strolled down the Seine to the Louvre Museum arriving at lunch time. 

We navigated the museum's crowded, confusing maze of passageways, 

And discovered some winning moments along the way. 

Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center

Familiy Time in Paris

Last Monday, I said goodbye to the Westminster MBA Group,

 and took the train to Charles de Gaulle to say hello to my family. 

We checked into our hotel and then went out for a walk by the Eiffel Tower,

Where we joined President Sarkozy for his final major election speech. 

Political events are a circus. 

We enjoyed the show,

And even found time for a little water-bending. 

Night at the Pompidou Center

Last Monday night, fellow student Paul and I walked to the Paris's Pompidou Center.

I liked this Picasso:

 And this Chagall:

And this couple:

And this retro film room:

The bright colors and expression of modern art makes me feel uninhibited,

 ready for anything.

Bite Sized Louvre Tour

This afternoon we took a 1-hour guided tour of the Louvre. 

 We started with Nike of Samothrace. 

Moved on to the French Neo-Classics of David, 

Progressed to the Romantic paintings of Delacroix,

Snuck a peak at Leonardo's Mona Lisa, 

And wrapped with a conversation about Ingres's anatomically impossible female nudes. 

The Louvre, I have discovered, is best in small doses.