Our major touristy event today – a cruise on the tree-lined Canal St-Martin and then along the Seine. We floated past a swing bridge, two locks and went under the Bastille tunnel, crossing the Arsenal Marina, arriving at the Seine river.
We saw the Louvre, Orsay museum, Assemblee Nationale and Eiffel Tower, Pont D’Alma and Ile de la Cite. Gorgeous winged creatures and cherubs in gold. If you look closely at the statue of the infantryman with rifle, you can see the high water mark of the flooding Seine i n 2016…just about in the crook of his elbow.
Lots of lovely bridge sculptures and adorned building rooftops too. A cloudy arvo, but really fab to be on water and see these incredible historical sights.
September 26, 2023
by Lids Comments Off on 24/9/2023 Paris
Our first stop, Rue Mouffetard, a pedestrianised street in the 5th arrondisement, which Parisians call ‘la mouffe’, is one of the oldest and picturesque streets of Paris. There has been a road here since the Romans were in town, 2000 years ago and it is home to a beautiful street market and entertainment on a Sunday – buskers, locals and visitors dancing to old French tunes…and singing to song sheets handed out by the partner of the accordion player. The market is vibrant and the street buzzing, the pastries, the cheeses, the lovely smell from restaurants…it was easy to spend a few hours there.
Next to the Church of Saint-Medard which dates back to the 9thC, and over the years has had various styles of architecture from classical Renaissance, even Gothic added to it. There are contemporary stained glass windows, a grand organ, unusual Doric columns and a painting by Italian painter Franciso Zurbaran.
The Musee Marmottan Monet was the last stop for the day. Claude’s youngest son, Michael, was the sole heir to the Monet house in Giverny and all its works when his father died in 1926. He bequeathed his collection to the Musee Marmottan. We are so glad he did, such a great exhibition. Other floors in the mansion had interesting paintings, porcelain, medieval statues and work from another Impressionist artist, Berthe Morisot (young girls in rural scenes, pastel tones) – latter not really my interest.
September 26, 2023
by Lids Comments Off on 23/9/2023 London
Just a small detour today by Eurostar to see friend Diana over lunch, who conveniently booked us an Italian restaurant near St Pancras station in Kings Cross. What a delightful meal and catch up.
I loved this penny-farthing bike chained up in a local street! The only time I tried to ride one of these, I went for a header, ouch!
I don’t know how, but I had forgotten the remarkable St Pancras station originally opened in 1868 and the Renaissance Hotel adjoining, both with fairytale Gothic architecture. Lots of boutiques to browse in, piano available to play some tunes, and Laduree has a presence with its delicious macaroons. And a supermarket laden with mixed drinks (conveniently to take onboard the Eurostar).
The Grand Terrace at the station has this 9m tall bronze statue of a couple embracing. Known commonly as ‘The Lovers statue’, its pretty much the first thing you see when you step off the Eurostar. The brief for the commission from London & Continental Railways, the company responsible for the restoration of St. Pancras, stated that the sculpture should evoke the romance of travel and be as iconic as the Statue of Liberty in New York…I think the sculptor, Paul Day, met the brief!
You must be logged in to post a comment.