Le Petit Palais

Stop press! I have discovered a new favourite hang-out in Paris - one to rival even my love of the Musee d'Orsay (this is a big deal). Free entry for everyone, no queues and a selection of beautiful artwork...I could sing the praises of 'Le Petit Palais' all day, but instead I'll let you share in some of its delights through photos I've taken below. If this doesn't make you want to take a look inside the unassuming little brother of the 'Grand Palais', then I don't know what will!

Look how beautiful the courtyard is!

Don't forget to glance upwards or you'll miss some of the best sights.

Just some of the gorgeous artwork on display.

 

 

 Just looking back through these photos has given me a lot of joy, and I'll be sure to get down to Le Petit Palais for their Impressionist exhibition, coming soon.

À Bientôt !

x

Musée d'Orsay & The Marais

My sister and I were up bright and early for breakfast at Besnier's, which you might recognise from me raving about it in previous blog-posts. There were more delights to discover in the local area, with the promise of a restful morning in the Musee d'Orsay.

We weren't meant to take photographs, but I satisfied myself with the idea that we didn't take any of the art, and that we spent our due money on postcards of our favourites from Vallotton, Odilon Redon and François Pompon!

View from the roof!

My sister's absolute favourite is the bear statue in the Cafe du Ours. Coming to see it has become a bit of an annual tradition, and I love this photo!

Some of my favourites from Redon, Monet and Caillebotte.

After a lovely, free, calm and very cultured evening in the 7th, we headed over to The Marais to 'Le Loir dans La Theiere', another favourite of mine. If you're planning on experiencing the dreamy slices of cake in this cosy, bobo tea-room then make sure you turn up at around 3pm. It gets so busy that there is a strict lunch-service followed by afternoon tea, and we were turned away to wander around Le Marais until the sweet treats were brought out. But, oh boy, was it worth the wait!

 

Time to get cultural again in my next blog tomorrow at La Maison de la Photographie!

 À Bientôt ! 

x

The Rentrée

"The Return". I read a newspaper article that rightly pointed out how ominous the same name sounds in English. "La Rentree" however, sums up that annual shifting back into gear come September which isn't quite captured in our phrase "Back To School" which conjures up images of patent leather shoes with frilly white ankle socks and sharpened pencils. 


"La Rentree" encompasses kids, office workers, and you got it - students! So today I dutifully navigated the Metro & was rewarded by my first venture inside the Sorbonne & a student card.


Getting on at the Musee d'Orsay station and off outside Notre-Dame is really quite amazing - two sites in one day without even trying :) 

We went into the most beautiful lecture hall I have ever seen, with statues of famous philosophers in the four corners and a giant fresco behind the lectern. I don't think my classes will be here but it's not a bad introduction to the university!

This picture doesn't convey it but it's the best I got!

I met loads of English students (so many from UCL!) and a group of us went for lunch at a local cafe where I finally ate something authentically French! Croque-Monsieurs are the best on a rainy day!

This picture doesn't convey it but it's the best I got!

Just hunkering down inside because the weather ain't pretty, and at 19.00 this evening is the Gatsby Party at the Shakespeare and Co Bookstore - let's hope the rain eases off!

À Bientôt!

x