Our first full day in Paris was filled with museums and history. We ventured down to the metro (subway) and took it to the Musée d’Orsay. Confirming that they are mostly for show, I set off the metal detector at the museum but they let me through anyway. Set in an old train station along the left bank of the Seine, the building itself is a work of art. While others in our group really enjoyed the artistry and elegance of the pieces and indicated a desire to return, I have probably seen the inside of Orsay for the last time. I enjoyed the impressionist paintings and appreciated the various works of art, but I think once is enough for me. Officially, there were no pictures allowed, but there were a few oblivious folks snapping away throughout the museum. The one really unique spot that it seemed pictures were OK was on the inside of the big clock facing the river.
Across the river the Louvre awaited and we made that short walk. Wow. Just wow. In what can only be described as a castle-like compound, the Louvre is a magnificently beautiful building from the outside, only to be outdone by the pageantry inside. In it we saw sculptures that have survived for thousands of years, paintings from da Vinci, Renoir, and many others that I don’t remember. Each room and each hall was more ornate than the last. If the building were empty it would be worth the price of admission.
We made sure to hit the highlights on our unguided tour – the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa were in plain view for all to enjoy. It’s crazy how they manage the throngs of people wanting to see the Mona Lisa. The painting is raised on a large wall and there is no line – just a mass of bodies nudging their way to the front, cameras raised in an effort to snap a picture or shoot some video. Even though we were at the museum for several hours, I feel I was hustling through and would like go back and spend an entire day (or 2) at the Louvre.
Walking out of the Louvre on the way to Notre Dame we were again awe-struck by the beauty of the buildings that Parisians probably take for granted. By the time we reached Notre Dame, it was apparent something big was going down. We found out later the cathedral was having new bells rung for the first time this Saturday before Palm Sunday, on the 850th anniversary of the cathedral. The bells have been tuned for months. They were installed in February with great fanfare. Today, bleachers were set up to witness the ringing of the bells and news crews were there to cover it. Unfortunately for us, it was obvious we weren’t getting in the building as we had planned. Even though we were there in the 4-5:00 hour when the bells were to ring, we heard nothing. Maybe it happened earlier when we were in the museums. (After we got home, I did a little research to figure out what was really going on. Our information about the bells was basically correct. I have been unable to determine at what time the bells rang, but I think they did ring the day we were there.)
We moved onward to a gelato stand (which was really sorbet) for a sweet treat. Delicious as it was, it took the guy forever to serve our entire group. There was already a line of 20-30 and we just added 30 more. Too long a wait for too little a reward.
After dinner we had a little free time and a few of us made the quick decision to try and ascend the Eiffel Tower at night. I find as I grow older, I’m less inclined to enjoy heights as I did in my youth. Dreading it greatly, we waited in line, bought our tickets to the summit, and stepped on the elevator. I had a couple things going for me on my fearful journey: darkness, masses of people, and peer pressure. Ones depth perception is not as keen at night as it is during the day. The elevators were packed full with other tourists and there was no way to duck out. The high school girls and moms I was with were not going to be braver than me this day. Onward and upward we went. Our plan was to go to the summit first, then get out on the second and first levels, respectively. You have to switch elevators after the second floor, so upon reaching the 2nd level my group immediately jumped in the line for the summit and I stupidly followed. All right, we’re really going to do this. Up, up, up, up to the top, the doors open, and the city of Paris is now at our feet. I mustered the intestinal fortitude to take some pictures, record some video, and walk around the platform a few times times. The wind really kicks up at that altitude and, with the temperature dropping, made for cold hands on cameras.
As we learned earlier, the tower is adorned with sparkly lights that come on at 9:00 p.m. We found out today that not only do they come on at 9:00, but they also come on at 10:00 and 11:00. We saw the 10:00 lights on the first leg of the elevator ride up, and the 11:00 lights on the way down from the summit. It was a great experience to be in the tower when these kicked on.
I happened to have my pedometer in my pocket the whole day – 21,500 steps. That’s crazy. And everyone’s feet, legs, and hips were feeling it the next day.