It was time for a bit of the fine arts today So we opened up our new four-day Museum Pass and went firstly to the Louvre's section on Arts Decoratif, but sadly all the fabric, costume and couture sections were closed. I was very disappointed, but we went around the standard exhibitions with the aid of an excellent audio-guide in English. I was not allowed to take flash photographs, but I managed to get the following few when the attendants weren't paying attention.
If Dani had been collecting coffee pots in 1750, this is what she would have on her shelf. Aren't the cups big?
And if you were a successful architect in 1930, you would have a desk like this. This photo only shows one of the three angles on display. I was stopped before I could show you the built-in settee and pigeon holes for A4, envelopes, and of course - drinks. This is 1930 - wow!
And I nearly fell off my perch to find my kitchen crockery in the Louvre. Who has Ruska-Arabica-Finlandia crockery? Gayle, Peter and I did........ who else?
And this was Paul's piece-de-resistance - Ralph Lauren's automobile collection. Millions and millions of dollars worth of rare cars. But the entry price was 9 euros ($10.50 AUD) so he didn't go in. He says he got a good look from the balconies on the upper levels but he has been transfixed to his computer since we got home and I can see red cars on the screen and he keeps sighing.
The most expensive cup of coffee in Paris so far - outside the museum. $4.90 AUD each!
After Les Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre we walked through the Tuileries towards the Musee l'Orangerie.
Musee-orangerie (choose English top right)
Everyone has to stop for a wee break, a coffee and a moment away from all those people. (Policewoman and her mount.)
And on to Musee l'Orangarie, formerly an orange growing hot house, then a site for occasional exhibitions (such as the National Dog Show of 1928- according to the history leaflet) and finally the home for Claude Monet's Waterlilly murals - plus a fabulous bequest of Impressionist works from a wealthy Parisian woman.
The Monet works are in two chambers, with four murals per chamber. The light is incredible, as you can see.
The Monet works are in two chambers, with four murals per chamber. The light is incredible, as you can see.
Paul loves Monet. We visited Monet's garden in Giverney on our last trip and it was a great experience; the sort of thing you never forget.
This is the gallery of the bequest; hundreds of Impressionist works from the widow of Paris' most successful art dealer of the 1910 - 1930 period. She gave it to the State as part of a plea bargain when she was charged (albeit on flimsy evidence) with killing her adopted son. Very strange. Her life story reminded me of Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
And outside, a few Rodin's, just to complete the experience.
As we walked home, through the Tuileries again, we came across this side section, currently fenced off in readiness for the "Garden of Gardens" exhibition in a week's time. Each of those hundreds of green mounds is a lavender bush, just waiting to burst into bloom. I wonder if they will flower on cue - 25 May - when the exhibition opens?
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