offerendum

Today: Louvre! I think I mustn´t say much about this museum.
Of course some people wait always in front of the museum:


Welcome to the Pyramide:


I don´t claim I saw the whole museum, even if I visited it before. Here some impressions:












It´s getting more crowded:


Ahhh – 1 painting, many people......


Quite a challenge to get a clear picture:


Perhas they should sell priority-tickets?









Time for a little break at Café Mollien by Philippe Urraca:


From the terrace you enjoy a good view:

YU_GO_GONE

Louvre Museum looks incredible! I have not yet been to the Museum, I had so little time in Paris and could not wait for the line. Looks like you had the best time! Absolutely stunning pics!!

nequine

Yikes at the number of folk in the museum! Love the design of your cake!!

offerendum

It is incredible! Paris has so many great museums, stuff for months......

offerendum

Yeah, the design fitted perfectly

Hoyaheel

Your photos are wonderful and the trip looks amazing!

We tend to visit places in the off season. Bonus - lines much shorter. Downside - our Versailles garden picnic was in 40 degree (F) drizzle

offerendum

Thanks! The funny think is, that October when I visited is not really season. Beside beaches I agree, see with some excemptions no value to pay double rates in cities for "season". Also in Europe often weather outside season is better than inside, you could call it also incalculable.

offerendum

Another beautiful museum in Paris is musée de I´Orangerie. If you like Impressionism it´s a must see.
Highlight are 2 rooms with the oversized famous Monet paintings:









The Monet paintings are not the only treasures. There is also a superb collection of paintings by several artists in the basement. Here a few impressions:













At every museum you can beside the art also marvelling several kinds of visitors. This type is one of my favourite:


Ahhhhh! I you can´t properly see buy yourself some good glasses. But DON´T try to melt with the art. Hope to see sometime starting the alarm and someone has to pay for it.
The museum is a jewel, absolutely recommended.

offerendum

If you are in Paris Montmarte is the place to be – at least most people think so. Personally I´m not such a fan but of course Sacre Coeur was on the program. For me the best thing is the view:


The Basilica was built between 1875 and 1914 and is a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features.


From inside it´s nothing too special in my eyes.


„Very special“ piece of art:


Chapel:


Behind the choir:


Detail of the ceiling:


Choir:


Let´s go down:


Once again the view:


Bye bye:

offerendum

Today we decided to eat at the hotels casual restaurant La Bauhina.
When we arrived my fear I would be dressed too sporty was blown away....


First some cream with bread sticks:


They had an offer were you can choose 3 courses of the day or from the Asian menu. Price is 69,00 €.
First we choosed „YAM KOONG PHOK SOD – Mango, green papaya, avocado, prawns salad, spicy coconut & passion fruit dressing“ (28,00 €).


The dish was fine and tasty.
For the main course we once choosed risotto with squid, scallops and prawns from the menu of the day.


A nice one.
Also we took „PEPES IKAN – Basil marinated shade-fish cooked in a banana leaf, Sauted vegetable with coconut and cumbawa, nasi lemak rice“ (44,00 €).


I liked the risotto more but it was good.
For dessert we took „VIBRATO SPHERE TRIO – Vibrato chocolate mousse, melting chocolate heart with cardamon and praline (18,00 €)“


and „POACHED PINEAPPLE WITH EXOTIC FLAVOURS AND PRIK KEE NOO – Coconut biscuit, ginger/ pineapple sorbet and spicy juice“ (18,00 €)


The dinner was good, over all more enjoyable than Shang Palace. Of course much too expensive, but you are at the Shangri-La in Paris........

offerendum

One of the most important sights in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. I wasn´t able to get a reservation for the 3rd level in advance, only for the 2nd on our last day. During the day long lines were in front of the security controls, so I guess it would have been a long wait. I heared that it would be much better at night. One of the advantages if you stay at Shangri-La is, that it´s only a short walk to the tower. We decided to have a look around 9:30. The tower is nice at night:


Indeed there were no notable lines. We waited a few minutes at the first security check and perhaps 10 minutes at the ticket office. During the wait we could see the Eiffel monument.


After a second security check we were on our way to the 2nd level and than to the 3rd. While it´s cold there the view is impressive:









There is also a replica of the Eiffel office:


The view from the 2nd level is not as wide as from the 3rd but more detailed:









The tower from the 2nd level:


The tower from the ground:


Eiffel tower is some kind of magic at night and I´m glad we visited. I looked forward to the last day when we had tickets for a day visit.

nequine

Wow, fantastic photos!

offerendum

Thanks!

offerendum

I visited Hotel des Invalides before with all museums. This time we only wanted to do the Dome des Invalides.
First we stood in the courtyard:



In the courtyard is the entrance to a church. Some may think they are in the Dome des Invalides and search the grave of Napoleon. OK, it will be unsuccessful. In fact it´s Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides.


The church is connected to the Dome des Invalides, from the choir you can look into it.


The entrance to the dome is on the other side.


The dome itself is a huge cupola.



In the side chapels are several graves.
Joseph-Napoleon I



Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne


Ferdinand Foch


And of course in the middle in a crypt Napoleon:


Altar:


On the way to the crypt Henri-Gratien Bertrand:


Entrance to the crypt:


Inside the crypt:




Also downstairs: Grave of Napoleon II

nequine

Wow, impressive!