Paris Is Always A Good Idea: The Last Day

And just like that, we've come to the last day.  Sadly, I still haven't found my good pictures. I'll have my IT guy (aka college boy) look into it when he gets home for Spring Break, but I fear they're gone forever.  

I had been looking forward to visiting the Louvre for thirty years.  And since it had finally decided to pour rain in Paris, it was the perfect day for some museum hopping.

We got up early and took the Metro directly to the underground mall at the Louvre, getting there about thirty minutes before opening.  Our plan was to go straight to Mona before it got too busy.  We were second in line, right under the inverse side of the famous pyramid.

Once through security, we made a bee line for the Mona Lisa.  Actually, we had no idea where we were going, so we followed the signs and made a sort of zig zag bee line.  I had read that the painting can be hard to see, as the room gets crowded quickly, and she's kind of small and behind glass.

We found our way, and just in time.  This was the scene two minutes later, and pretty soon the entire room was filled.

Next stop:  Venus de Milo.

After that we roamed around with no clear agenda.  Which was probably a mistake because the Louvre is massive. I'm sure there are so many things we missed.

I'd like the emerald crown for my birthday, please.

Of all the things, this is what my hubby was drawn to.  Not surprising.

After many hours, we left the Louvre, had a bite to eat, and headed for the Musee d'Orsay. This museum houses the best general collection of Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Gauguin and Degas in the world.  In other words, Impressionism - my favorite.

I loved the Musee d'Orsay.  It's inside a former train station, and the architecture is beautiful. The sheer volume of famous artwork is impressive.

By this point we were museum-ed out.  A quick metro ride brought us back to our apartment where the sun had finally made an appearance. That's our little terrace up there.

After a quick nap, we ventured out for one last evening in Montmartre.

We people watched, had dinner, and picked up a few souvenirs.

And then it was...fini.

One of these days I'll get around to writing a wrap up, with all of my do's and don'ts for a first timer's trip.

But for now, this.  If you have a chance to go to Paris, do it.  Don't hesitate, just go.  Paris is as romantic, beautiful, breathtaking and glorious as you imagine.  I hope to return again someday, but I'll never forget the magic and wonder and joy of the first time.

Thank you, husband, thank you.