Tag: Paris
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Musee D’Orsay … impressionists
This afternoon I visited an impressionist exhibition at the Museum. It was wonderful telling the story of the beginnings of Impressionism. In 1874 the artists who were excluded from the traditional Salon decided to mount their own … The Salon de Refusees. It was the first coming together of artists we now know as Impressionists.…
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After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art… National Gallery
I visited this exhibition on impulse having seen it advertised on recent trips to London. It was worth it. The exhibition examined the way in which Impressionism acted as a catalyst for various movements in Modern Art; Abstraction, Cubism, Post Impressionism, Fauvism, German Expressionism and many more. The exhibition contained works by so many artists…
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Leaving for home! But before I leave a visit to Musee Carnavalet
Well I start my last day in Europe before I leave for London this afternoon. before I go I’m going to visit an exhibition of Philippe Starck the designer at the Carnavalet Museum nearby.. the whole experience has been wonderful. The first couple of days in Paris was lovely and I enjoyed renewing my acquaintance…
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Saint Germain des Pres and l’Odeon
This afternoon Cedric and I had ananother wandering tour of Paris around the 6eme … Saint Germain des Pres and L’Odeon. A bougie area very different from the boho vibe of the 4eme. We did a little shopping at Courreges where we both bought something a little extravagant … then to Hermes and to La…
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I’ve arrived in Paris
After a long and arduous, not to say tedious but exciting, journey I finally arrived in Paris at 2.30am, four hours late because a demonstration on the railway line. Apparently something to do with building a railway line through the mountains. Never mind I’m here and of course when I got to my hotel there…
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At Pere Lachaise
This is such a beautiful cemetery. Burial place of the rich and famous. There are so many graves and monuments and it’s so peaceful. Birds and trees and the sunshine today is wonderful … the place is full of strolling tourists. I think there are over a million burials … it’s still in use ……
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Arriving in Paris … it’s swingtime!
Paris is warm and sunny this evening and in the Place de la Republique an impromptu swing session is underway. There are skateboarders and kids kicking a football about; it lifts the spirts. Art Galleries in the Rue Turenne have private views spilling people with their wine onto the pavements. The cafes are full as…
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A La recherche de temps perdue
Well I’m lying in my top bunk ready to board my train to Paris later this morning and leave a chilly and dank Geneva. This hostel is terrible. It’s clean and the room is good but it’s so anonymous… like a big hotel with absolutely no atmosphere. 5 floors of anodyne corridors, an empty games…
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Staying in hostels and connections
Hostels So far this has been a great experience. All the hostels bar one have been clean, friendly, great roommates and wonderful facilities. Varied in price and obviously Paris and Rome have been more expensive but between €35 and €50 per night … some with breakfast included. My only real gripe is that Paris had…
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Looking back to Paris
Well having left Paris behind I’m looking at the highlights of my visit and my impressions. Firstly the people I met … friendly and witty. The buildings beautiful and well kept. The vibe was so exciting, on trend and easy. I think the 4eme is wonderful. So many independent shops of all types; wonderful chocolatiers,…
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Off the tourist track
Walking with a native Parisian reveals the small corners and unusual sights … a flea market, perfumer that sells coffee, graffiti and some wonderful bookshops dedicated to art, literature, lmanga, fashion and photography
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An interesting day
Musee d’Orsay in the morning. Then a great walk around Paris with Cedric and lunch at a fantastic Japanese restaurant. Decorated as a fish market with sound effects. Fish everywhere (not real! But very realistic) and dressed with all the accoutrements of a dockside. Cobbled floor, baskets of fish, overalls, scales … pretty inventive. Food…
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At the Musee D’Orsay
What a wonderful and humane Manet was. Breaking the centuries old barriers of art consumed by the male gaze. No longer a “nude” but a naked prostitute looking the viewer straight in the eye. This is no coy woman at a man’s beck and call.
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Paris on a rainy evening
Not a great start to the journey. Eurostar was running but the general strike will mean it will be difficult to get out of Paris so my trip to Nimes looks dicey. The hostel is great. Restaurant, bar, communal space and very clean. Al though the journey made a bad start I was so happy…
