Paris

Paris

Unfortunately we were anable to catch the tour de France. So disappointed. But at least the hotel has the live and repeated broad castes. I do wish Kadel Evans would have a go!

We are staying at a wonderful un-airconditioned hotel in the centre of Paris. The Louve is only a 15 minute walk, and trhe subways are available if you get lasy. Again the temperature is scorching, but the fountains are not like Rome. The stink of Chlorine and still look murky with algae and dirt. So we soldier on trekking across another fantastic European city, and Paris is special.

d’Orsay.

First morning and we go straight to the Musée d’Orsay. This is where you will find all the works by Monet!.. although we did not catch up with his water lilys till the tate modern in London. The museum is a converted railway station, with a large barrel arched roof, oodles of space and some of the most famous artworks of all time. The mian hall is scatered with sculpture and tourists of course. We found a new love in Degare, and his balerinas, whilst Dim refreshed her love of Monet.

Pompidou

From the O'rsay to the The Centre Pompidou, the home of Modern art in Paris. It was one of the first building to be turned inside out, with its many ducts and service areas expressed on the outside of the building. It looks like a large mess of tubes and structures and is extremely large. The instalations were a bit overpowering for Dim, but I could not tare myself away. The artists seemed to be having a joke on the audience, requiring their participation to complete their works. They also have an amazing colection of live film, with countless thearterets and screens doting the upper levels. There is fun, shock, snd awe to be had. A complete Alfa lies in ruins in testiment to disaster alongside graphic shows of nudity and colour. Outstanding. Easily my favorite place in all of Paris. Dim was less than enthused, but did perk up when we checked out a few of the regular works including more than a few Picasos.

The Catacombs.

Like Rome there are catacombs in paris, but rather than being origonaly for worship and funery rituals, these carved out for the stone. The vast array of tunnels that lie below Paris are the reults of many centuries of mining for the very stone from which it is built. Over the years, more than a few cave ins have had devestaing effects on the housing above, and regular maintenace must be preformed. Parts are open to the public, including those whihc were used to stack the bones of the dead. During the great plagues, they dug up the cemetarriues, and deposited the bones below, many aranged in macabe paterns. All neatly stacked to the cieling listing the burial plots from which they were exumed. All very fascinating. Pitty about the 2 hour long que we had to wait in... Bloody tourists!

Louve The Louve! WOW! more than just a gallery, it contains some of the best archelogical remains to be found anywhere. From great winded bulls of persia, to the regular atractions of the Mona lisa and the venus de Milo. Yes we did see the big 3, but were more interested in the whole show. I am a geek, and I am sticking to it. Bring me Mummies and ancient mesopotania, Da vincis and Michelangelo. All so very much fun.

The Eilfel Tower.

Eifel was a genius. And his tower rocks as well. but the tourists realy love it as well. scads line the base waiting for the lift. We skirted the multitueds and took the stairs. Yes Dim is going to kill me before the holiday ends. In the shadow of the tower lie public parks which are doted with Parisians like ants on a green blanket. We stayed untill sunset. It was beautiful.

We would not be in france for the climax of Le Tour, but we marched the Champs-Elysees anyway. I must say that the Arc De Triumph Rocks, as does the far flung boulevards. Although they do not have good gelati.

All good things must come to an end, and so we take the euro star to London, hope that Dim's karma with this service does not become and issue.