The Louvre is one of the
largest palaces in the world and a former residence of the kings of
France.
George in front of Caesar Augustus
The head is dated between 30-20BC; the body probably comes from the 2nd century AD. It represents Augustus as a magistrate.
The head is dated between 30-20BC; the body probably comes from the 2nd century AD. It represents Augustus as a magistrate.
With such little time and literally thousands of items to view, we raced quickly to some of our favorite areas.
We saw some more reliefs taken from the Parthenon in Athens. We saw several when we were in the British Museum last August.
One of the most famous statues in the Louvre is the Venus de Milo (the name known to the Romans) or the Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love and beauty).
We, also, really wanted to visit "Winged Victory," but there was all kinds of construction around it, so we weren't able to go there. Plus, of course, the "Mona Lisa" painting is, also, there, but there was such a long line, and since we had seen it before, we went on.
One of the most famous statues in the Louvre is the Venus de Milo (the name known to the Romans) or the Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love and beauty).
We, also, really wanted to visit "Winged Victory," but there was all kinds of construction around it, so we weren't able to go there. Plus, of course, the "Mona Lisa" painting is, also, there, but there was such a long line, and since we had seen it before, we went on.
There is just never enough time for the Louvre which is the world's most visited museum, but we were able to enjoy a couple of hours there before we had to leave.
Not too many people go just outside the inside entrance of the Louvre where the reverse pyramid of glass is. This is actually a mall with wonderful stores and a few eating establishments. We breezed through this before we left for our appointment at the Opera House.
You can see how the Louvre just goes on and on for several floors!
Arriving at the Opera House--so exciting!
Charles Garnier was the architect of this fantastic building, so it has been known as the Palais Garnier, built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera.
The inside was even more grand than I could ever dream of!
The Grand Stairway
The richly decorated Grand Foyer reminds one of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.
Can you imagine being part of the Paris society who come here for the entertainment as well as having plenty of space for socializing during intermission?
Because of the fear of fire burning the Opera House as it did extensively in 1873, the grand fireplace is just for looks and cannot hold a fire inside.
It was thrilling to sit inside the theater for part of the tour.
The auditorium has a traditional Italian horseshoe shape and can seat 1,979 people.
The stage is the largest in Europe and can accommodate as many as 450 artists. The canvas house curtain was painted to represent a draped curtain, complete with tassels and braid.
Everywhere the ceilings were as interesting as the walls and decorations!
Some of the original costumes worn in the opera.
"Back in the day" when people really dressed to go to the opera.
We were interested to see this statue of Georg Friederich Händel, the composer of the "Messiah," at the Opera. Joyce and I remembered seeing the place he was buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey in London.
And, no, we didn't get to see the lake below the opera where the Phantom supposedly lived. Our guide said that you have to go with a fireman because they use it for practicing dives in the dark. The water is now enclosed in a container, and it just isn't much to see, according to our guide. I guess I still wish they would let you see it!
As we were leaving, you go through a little shop where all kinds of items are sold. Joyce snapped this of the darling ballet costumes which reminded us of our grand daughters!
After that fascinating tour, we hopped on another taxi that drove us to the Hotel des Invalides, which was originally built by Louis XIV as a hospital and home for disabled soldiers.
We first visited the nave of Saint-Louis Church of the Invalids (Church of the Soldiers completed in 1679 and intended for the worship and daily offices of the disabled army veterans) and then the Dome (a large window separates the two parts). The soldiers weren't allowed to worship in the same chapel as the king.
This building, also, is where the tomb of Napoleon is with all its magnificent marble decors.
You can see that the actual size of the tomb is huge!
The Dome is also home to the tombs of Napoleon’s brothers, Joseph and Jerome, his son, two generals and two marshals.
There were other corridors with many more tombs.
We had no idea there was so much housed here in in the Museums. This place was huge!
The courtyard housed many weapons.
After that, we quickly walked through the first of the seven main exhibits of the Army Museum, the Old Armor and Weapons (13th-17th century).
Armor of every different type . . .
even for children!
This was interesting. It looked like a sword, but behind . . .
it actually had a barrel of a gun.
Doug was standing by different types of guns. The top one is the longest gun I've ever seen!
Ornate military helmets.
Armor used in the Middle Ages was called chainmail. It was flexible, easy to make by the blacksmiths who linked iron or steel rings by either pressing them together through welding or riveting them; it was easy and fast to repair; it could be made to any size of the person it was to fit by adding extra rings; and it provided ease of movement. However, it doesn't look that safe to me!
There was even armor for the horses.
Japanese armor.
We next visited the Modern Department (from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, 1643-1870), which contains privates’ uniforms, luxury weapons and arms and Napoleon Bonaparte and his marshals’ belongings!
Look at that smile! Yes, I think George really enjoyed this stop!
Not too many people go just outside the inside entrance of the Louvre where the reverse pyramid of glass is. This is actually a mall with wonderful stores and a few eating establishments. We breezed through this before we left for our appointment at the Opera House.You can see how the Louvre just goes on and on for several floors!
Arriving at the Opera House--so exciting!
Charles Garnier was the architect of this fantastic building, so it has been known as the Palais Garnier, built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera.
The inside was even more grand than I could ever dream of!
The Grand Stairway
The richly decorated Grand Foyer reminds one of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.
Can you imagine being part of the Paris society who come here for the entertainment as well as having plenty of space for socializing during intermission?
Because of the fear of fire burning the Opera House as it did extensively in 1873, the grand fireplace is just for looks and cannot hold a fire inside.
It was thrilling to sit inside the theater for part of the tour.
The auditorium has a traditional Italian horseshoe shape and can seat 1,979 people.
The stage is the largest in Europe and can accommodate as many as 450 artists. The canvas house curtain was painted to represent a draped curtain, complete with tassels and braid.
Everywhere the ceilings were as interesting as the walls and decorations!
Some of the original costumes worn in the opera.
"Back in the day" when people really dressed to go to the opera.
We were interested to see this statue of Georg Friederich Händel, the composer of the "Messiah," at the Opera. Joyce and I remembered seeing the place he was buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey in London.
And, no, we didn't get to see the lake below the opera where the Phantom supposedly lived. Our guide said that you have to go with a fireman because they use it for practicing dives in the dark. The water is now enclosed in a container, and it just isn't much to see, according to our guide. I guess I still wish they would let you see it!
As we were leaving, you go through a little shop where all kinds of items are sold. Joyce snapped this of the darling ballet costumes which reminded us of our grand daughters!
After that fascinating tour, we hopped on another taxi that drove us to the Hotel des Invalides, which was originally built by Louis XIV as a hospital and home for disabled soldiers.
We first visited the nave of Saint-Louis Church of the Invalids (Church of the Soldiers completed in 1679 and intended for the worship and daily offices of the disabled army veterans) and then the Dome (a large window separates the two parts). The soldiers weren't allowed to worship in the same chapel as the king.
This building, also, is where the tomb of Napoleon is with all its magnificent marble decors.
You can see that the actual size of the tomb is huge!
The Dome is also home to the tombs of Napoleon’s brothers, Joseph and Jerome, his son, two generals and two marshals.
There were other corridors with many more tombs.
We had no idea there was so much housed here in in the Museums. This place was huge!
The courtyard housed many weapons.
After that, we quickly walked through the first of the seven main exhibits of the Army Museum, the Old Armor and Weapons (13th-17th century).
Armor of every different type . . .
Doug was standing by different types of guns. The top one is the longest gun I've ever seen!
Ornate military helmets.
Armor used in the Middle Ages was called chainmail. It was flexible, easy to make by the blacksmiths who linked iron or steel rings by either pressing them together through welding or riveting them; it was easy and fast to repair; it could be made to any size of the person it was to fit by adding extra rings; and it provided ease of movement. However, it doesn't look that safe to me!
There was even armor for the horses.
We next visited the Modern Department (from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, 1643-1870), which contains privates’ uniforms, luxury weapons and arms and Napoleon Bonaparte and his marshals’ belongings!
While Joyce and Doug were studying the map of how to get to our next area, George couldn't resist feeding the birds.
Look at that smile! Yes, I think George really enjoyed this stop!
We wished we could
have had more time there; these exhibits were fascinating! We actually were just in the mood for a small dinner, so we found a McDonalds for a little American junk food, then made our way by taxi to the
Montparnasse Tower where we took an elevator to the 56th floor.
Here we saw the best views of
all of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower after the sun went down.
Looking down at one of three famous cemeteries in Paris. These are like small towns with many noted people buried here. The tour of these cemeteries is something we will have to save for another Paris trip!
We stayed until 10:00 p.m. when
the Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes! What a sight.
We took a taxi back to our hotel for our final night in Paris. Tomorrow: We fly to Amman, Jordan
4 comments:
You are really whipping these days out...! Loved every picture and commentary. Wish we could go back and do it all over again (now that I've had two weeks to recover)!!
Wow, could you have thrown one more place to visit on this day?? You guys didn't miss a thing and how wonderful to see the largest stage in Europe. Did you actually get to hear anyone perform?
OH HOW I NEED TO GO BACK AND SEE SOME OF THESE THINGS!! I love the pictures of the Eiffel Tower from up high!
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