So, a few posts ago we noted that the Army Museum could easily take more than 3 hours for the men in our family... today they proved that correct! They went back (yup, and I'm sure one of them will blog about it later).
Since Alexa and I (Michelle) wanted to see Versailles and John and Ben did not (and John and Ben wanted more Army Museum, plus the Rodin Museum and the Trocedero), we split up. Yes, you heard me right, and we did it the old fashioned way, without cell phones!
Versailles is a 40 minute or so ride outside of Paris via train. There were masses of people headed there today, plus buses carrying half the children of France, I think. Alexa noted that it is proof that there was too much money and too much in-breeding in the French royal system, as you would have to be insane to put that much gold into a place.
All that aside, it is amazing and I got goosebumps seeing the Hall of Mirrors in real life (as opposed to my Art History books). The gardens are huge and impressive, somehow combining very tailored, manicured shrubbery with wild flowers, plus ornate fountains and statuary. We ate lunch at a cafe next to the canal where you can rent row boats. Alexa and I decided that if you combined Williamsburg, VA with Newport, RI (as in the mansions of Newport), you might get close to the guest quarters at Versailles.
After we left Versailles we headed back to Paris to try to take advantage of the famous Soldes - the summer sales! We went to Paris's oldest department store, Le Bon Marche (http://www.lebonmarche.fr/#home) - in a building designed by the builder of the Eiffel Tower! We were amazed to find a few choice items - a Pac Man pashmina (yes, as in the video game layout put onto a shawl, selling for only 85 Euros on sale), electric neon pocket knives, and a plain white nightshirt on sale for 80 Euros. We were amazed at our restraint - I really wanted to buy the first two items for the kids! We found out that Paris is where the department store was invented, and like the big stores in NYC, this one's first floor is devoted to perfume. Unlike those in NYC, the top floor had the most lovely and amazing sewing department - imagine a Sak's Fifth Avenue-like display of buttons (in drawers and jars), thread, embroidery floss... it was amazing. I asked if I could take a photo but of course its not allowed.
Its sad to be packing up to leave Paris already, but Normandy awaits!
1 comment:
Great to see you guys are having a good time, everything is going well at the house. I so wish I could be going to Normandy with you guys but theres always my own trip when I get the time.
Post a Comment