The day's weather promised to be a repeat of yesterday's, so I donned my raincoat and grabbed my new umbrella before setting out.
I rode the #69 bus over to the d'Orsay museum. There was a huge line of people waiting to buy tickets, and a shorter line for those of us with passes. The line got longer after I got into it; however, that was just the security line. Once inside, I walked right in after showing my pass. I knew it would be busy today because the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so that means everyone flocks to the d'Orsay. I should listen to Rick Steves. Oh, well.
I toured the right half of the main floor, then went up to the 5th floor where the Impressionists are. I decided that I probably wouldn't see everything anyway, so I may as well start with what I really wanted to see. It is pretty exciting to see the originals of the prints you've seen all of your life. At one time a print of Monet's picture of the woman and child walking in a field of poppies hung in my office at Marsh, so it was neat to see the original. Then I went down to the 2nd floor to see the Post-Impressionists. I had just read "The Yellow House," a book about Van Gogh and Gaughan when they lived in Arles, so it was fun seeing some of the pictures that were described in the book. Unlike many museums that allow photos without flash, the d'Orsay doesn't, but we could take pictures from behind the clock and from a balcony that overlooks the main gallery. It is quite an impressive building, and originally was a train station. By the time I had finished with the Post-Impressionists I felt fairly satisfied with what I'd seen, and even though there was still a lot more to see, I was tired and hungry, so I left.
I had a quick lunch at the cafe right across the street from the museum. It was an onion tart with a lettuce salad. It was relatively inexpensive for Paris (11.80 euros), but pretty pricey for what it was. I think it was frozen and microwaved as the pastry was pretty soggy. But, it was quick and I wasn't hungry after I finished it. There was a couple from Oklahoma at the table next to me and I enjoyed visiting with them.
I hopped back on the #69 bus and got off in front of Les Invalides, and walked over to the Rodin Museum. I didn't go into the building, but walked through the garden. Rodin was a contemporary of the Impressionists, and was himself an impressionist. While there, I topped off my lunch with some dessert and coffee at the cafe in the garden.
I decided to ride the #69 to the end of the line at Champ de Mars, so I could get closer to the Eiffel Tower. When I got of the bus I noticed a group of men playing boules nearby. The Eiffel Tower is pretty darn impressive when you're up close to it, but I was still quite a distance away. I'm ready Edward Rutherfurd's "Paris" right now and he spends quite a lot of time describing how the tower was built, so seeing it brought that to life for me. The weather is such that it just doesn't make sense to go up the tower as you wouldn't be able to see much, and besides the best views of Paris have the Eiffel Tower in them!
I rode the #82 back through Montparnasse, a new area for me. I can certainly see why so many people like to stay near the Eiffel Tower and in Montparnasse - the apartment buildings in that are are quite nice, and I think expensive. The end of the line was at the Luxembourgh Gardens where I changed to the #38 that took me to my neighborhood where I bought some supplies for tonight's dinner.
It actually didn't rain today, but it was windy and cold. Fall is definitely in the air. Only 4 more full days in Paris.
I love this area. This is where our hotel was when we stayed last April 2012 and in 2009. We were very close to Invalides and Rue Cler. There was lots of action and within walking distance of the Eiffel. Matt and I went late and took pictures of the Tour Eiffel lighting up at night. VERY cold and we were appropriately bundled with many layers, hat, gloves, and scarf. That is why we had to have whiskey at night! That sky looks very familiar.
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