Simple Samedi

We made it a simple Samedi (Saturday). We still got tired, but we only had two destinations. First up was the Louvre. Since we arrived by 10:00am, the lines were not long at the pyramid or inside to buy tickets. Our primary goal was to see the Mona Lisa, at Lucy's request, so we made a beeline there. Lucy's comments: it was smaller than she imagined; and why was it so famous? Then we saw a few more Italian and French paintings, followed by Greek glass and ceramics. Although the "first" floor, there were great views of courtyards below.

We finished that floor in decorative arts; the girls perked up in Napolean's apartments. Each crystal chandelier was grander than the one prior. Lucy was so thrilled she moved taking pictures, so most are too blurry. Plush red velvet seats and the enormous dining table were impressive.

Brian wanted to head upstairs for the Flanders and Netherlands paintings. The Rembrandts and the Vermeers were our favorites. As two hours of fine art was enough, we went to lunch at an outdoor cafe (could not find Angelina's). All happy until we got off the subway near Notre Dame, our second stop. It was pouring and windy. Although we wanted to climb the tower, that line was longer and slower, so we just went indoors. The picture of the cathedral here is about the only one we have of the exterior; it was miserable outside.

On and off showers dampened our spirits for the rest of the afternoon. However Lucy had an image of herself eating a baguette as she was walking through Paris, so we obliged. This is a picture of her outside the apartment where we stayed. Some champagne from a recommended local wine shop made Mommy smile at dinner.