Christmas period, Milly and Paris

Just before Christmas Di and I managed to escape to Paris for a couple of nights. It was lovely to be child free, Hilary had been invited to come too, but decided she would rather spend her time with her cousin, doing a three day gymnastics course. We thought it would be a great opportunity to get some concentrated cultural exposure, so we bought a two day museum pass, and spent two days doing just that, over dosing on art and culture. Our first stop was the Mouseum d'Orsay which we had been to before, six years earlier, with mum, and which we had all really enjoyed. It had been set out differently in the interim, and I was not allowed to take photos this time, whereas last time I had been surprised with the laxity, and allowance of photoing all these wonderful art-works. I really enjoyed the impressionists and a lot of the scultures, especially the Degas and other "real" pieces. From the d"Orsay we went further into the university district where we had a delicious and very fairly priced lunch, a sandwich and piping hot lentil soup, which warmed the cockles on a cold day. Next stop was the Rodin Museum, again we had been here before, with mum, but wanted to see the works again, and also the setting, a medium sized Chateau with pretty grounds and a long view up to the house, with sculptures set around the gardens.

Near here (the Rodin Museum)is the Army Museum and Napolean's tomb inside the golden dome, so we headed the few hundred metres to there and had a look around. After a brief look at the buildings and part of the military museum and a comprehensive look around the chapel which houses napolean's tomb we decided Hilary would probably enjoy this museum with all the swords and armour etc. so cut our visit short, knowing we would probably be back when she was with us.

Instead we walked back across the river, through the gardens )Tuilliere's) and to the Museum of Textiles, beside the Louvre. Of course by now it was nearing closing time, so after a look through some beautiful jewellery displays I sat and looked after our bags in the vestibule while di went to another part of the museum where there was a Barba (the elephant) display, and some fashion things, though viewing was limited due to maintenance. We walked back to the Hotel Ticquetonne, had a cup of tea (thanks to our ever present electric jug) and a wee rest before heading out again for dinner and a look around at the sights and lights.