Today was museum day. Our first stop was the Musee d'Orsay. The d'Orsay is housed in an old train station that was built in the late 19th-century. Inside are works from Van Gogh, Monet, Rodin, Gauguin and many more names you would recognize. The nice thing about this museum is that it is confined to the space of the old train station, so it is not too overwhelming. You are not allowed to take photos inside, but somehow three pictures ended up on my camera.
The main floor of the Musee D'Orsay.
The clock from the old train station itself is worthy of a place in the museum.
The view from the upper level looking back towards the entrance.
Next we went to the Musee Rodin the home of sculptures by the man many regard as France's greatest sculptor, Auguste Rodin. For the last 9 years of his life Rodin lived in a state-owned apartment for free in exchange he left his life's work to France. The garden at the museum is beautiful and many of the original sculptures are on display in it.
The "Thinker" with the Dome Church from Invalides in the back ground.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking..."
When I asked Fintan what he thought "The Thinker" was thinking about, he said that he was probably thinking about getting married.
The state-owned mansion that Rodin lived in is now the museum that houses his work. The white sculpture is by Henry Moore.
The gardens at the Musee Rodin looking back to the old state-owned mansion.
Stacey and the kids taking a break on the second floor of the Musee Rodin.
Right across the street from the Rodin is the Hotel des Invalides. This building was commissioned by Louis XIV and was completed in 1676. The Dome Church at Invalides is home to the tombs of France's military hero's. The most spectacular of the tombs is that of Napoleon Bonaparte - Emperor Napoleon I (Bronwyn thought his last name was Dynamite...). Napoleon's body was brought back to France 19 years after he died while in British confinement in St. Helena. His tomb sits under the staggering dome of the church.
The interior of the Dome Church above Napoleon's tomb.
Napoleon's tomb. This thing has some size. I would say it's about the size of a 23 foot camper.
The rest of Invalides is dedicated to the history of war. It is a stunning museum that is almost overwhelming because there is so much to see. We spent a lot of time in the Armour section, which is awesome. There is a huge collection of armour and weapons from the various time periods. Each piece is like a coveted work of art.
When we left the Armour section we walked down a long hall that had windows that looked into a huge store room. The room was loaded with "spare parts". I desperately wanted to take some home.
The entrance to the Dome Church at dawn.
Wayne had given me a recommendation for a famous "steak frites" place in Paris. I told Fintan about it before we left for France and he has not stopped talking about it, so we went there for dinner tonight. It opened up a 7:00 and was packed by 7:15, it was a great spot.
I don't know what it was, but the kids took it down in about 95 seconds.
Another great day. Tomorrow is our last day, so we plan to hit the shops.
