As mentioned in an earlier post, we took in the usual sites in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the Seine, Versailles, the Louvre. Our travel agent booked us in small tour groups that allowed us to skip the line and have a private French guide who led us to many of the highlights before we were left to explore on our own. This was helpful as my wife has been to France before and remembered the Louvre being overwhelming—in fact, the Louvre Tour cleverly ended at the room that displayed the Mona Lisa. Btw, security at these venues were very tight, especially at the Eiffel Tower (where they had TWO security checks!)
The sheer scale of these sites were no doubt intended to instill awe and splendor, so mission accomplished. The size of the grounds of Versailles itself is staggering. (To be fair, at its height, it was the working place of the government where the king could keep his eye on his minions, housing around 5000 people.)
On our own, we visited Notre Dame, the Musée D’Orsay and, next door, the Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Chivalry that we noticed across from the D’Orsay (and free!). The D’Orsay happened to have its first comprehensive exhibition of American impressionist painter, Mary Cassatt. I have to admit that, in addition to visiting the Cavern Club in Liverpool, the Cassatt exhibition was a highlight and very moving
As was a fantastic after hours light show at the Dôme des Invalides, where Napoleon’s Crypt openly rests in a place of honor at the center of the building in a well. This hadn’t been on my radar at all, but my wife heard about a light show at the Dome called Aura Invalides. (Like the D’Orsay, we purchased tickets at the entrance on our mobile devices just before the show started.) Napoleon’s place in history and his relationship with France has always seemed complex to me, so it’s interesting to see him honored here with such a magnificent tomb. I should add, the crypts of his two brothers and a few others also are prominently displayed.
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