A summer break in Paris
In and around Europe
I went to Paris for 5 nights with two main aims : a visit to Chateau de Versailles which has been refurbished since I was last there over 20 years ago, and to visit the annual Ceramics Fair at Place St Sulpice in Paris. in addition to this visits, I managed to see three museums and watch two parades.
I am a great believer in synchroncity (Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events which occur in a meaningful manner, but which are causally inexplicable to the person or persons experiencing them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity)
and there was an example of this with respect to masks. I became very keen on masks after a visit to a museum in Zacatecas, Mexico), so when I saw an item about an exhibition of Chinese masks at Jacquemart Andre Museum, I decided to see it.
Later that day (and quite by chance) I was watching a parade in which a group wearing masks were one of the most delightful of the many groups in the procession.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Marshall
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1
Eurostar - much better than a flight
The Eurostar train to Paris was packed but as this was a non-stop train, the 2 hours and a bit seemed to go quickly. I selected a hotel near Gar... Continue reading »
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2
Gardens at Trianon
The Trianon and Petit Trianon which were the private palaces of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are a nice contrast to the main Palace because the... Continue reading »
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3
Fit for a king
My friends Mary and Chris told me about the ticket for Versailles which combines transport and museum entrance, so I got one at Gare du Nord (21.... Continue reading »
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4
Museum day
This was museum day and I started at one of my favourite Paris museums, the Musee Guimet near Pont Alma. It specialises in Asian art and I have... Continue reading »
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5
Luxembourg Gardens
In the Luxembourg Gardens (at the south end) are two curiosities ... Continue reading »
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6
Tropical Carnival
I saw a notice in the news about a Tropical Carnival on Saturday afternoon and went to Bastille to see it ; it was small scale and rather disorga... Continue reading »
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7
Explorers and gardens
One of my heroes is the explorer Francis Garnier (no connection with Garnier, architect of the Opera House in Paris). He led a group up the Mekong... Continue reading »
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8
Ceramics Fair at St Sulpice
It was short walk to Place St Sulpice and the Ceramics Fair which was the initial aim of this whole Paris visit. 90 potters from around France... Continue reading »
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9
Another parade
I had lunch on the run (tasty samosas from an Indian place near my hotel) and learned that there was a big Indian festival (Ratha Yatra – Jagann... Continue reading »
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10
Monet and more .....
To the Orangerie to see the newly remodeled building which features Monet’s Water Lilies. In this case the new design is really a vast improvemen... Continue reading »
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11
Cats .. and my rant
No travel journal is complete unless I include photos of cats I encountered ( .. meet is... Continue reading »
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