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Inside Museum d’orsay
A beautiful building on the inside and easy to move around. Also Dana loved the lunch here.The Musee d’Orsay is smaller than the Louvre, however, has just as much splendor. It contains works of art from many of the world’s masters, Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, etc. I’m sure art historians would be able to answer the question as to why so many French artist seemed to flourish during the mid-late 19th century. Probably there were social, economic and politic conditions that brought out all this creativity and genius?
Close by is the Rodin Museum primarily containing the works of Auguste Rodin, the French Sculpture. Two of his more famous pieces were on display, the “Thinker” and ”The Gates of Hell”. It is interesting to note, that in both of these museums many school children were visiting with their teachers being indoctrinated to classical art which is a very important part of French history and culture!
Final stop for the day was the Eiffel Tower. It was built for the World’s Fair that Paris hosted in 1900. At the time, it was tallest building in the World but soon lost that distinction. Today at 1,000 ft, it is dwarfed by many others. For example the Burj Kfalifa Tower in Dubai is 2,717 compared to the Eiffel
Starry Night
This is one of van Gogh’s most famous painting. His self-protrait was also at the Museum d’Orsay which depicted a troubled face. Van Gogh committed suicide at age 37. Tower at 1,030ft. However, the Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable tourist attraction in the world. The structure was built and paid for by Gustavo Eiffel and so I guess he bought the naming rights? It’s made completely of iron and requires painting every 7 years and it takes 3 years to complete. It created a lot of debate among Parisians. Some thought it to be ugly and that it would eventually fall down. The original plan was for it to last 10 years and avoided demolitian later when it became a communication tower.
It’s unnecessary to know a lot of French history to understand why the French revolted against their Monarch in the late 18th century. The opulence, scale and indulgences of the Palais de Versailles even by today’s standard is “jaw dropping”. Louis XIV moved the Royal Palace from what is now the Louvre and built the Palais de Versailles. By train it is a short distance from Paris. The property spans 721,000 sq ft, has 700 rooms and 1250 fireplaces!!! It contains 1000’s of pieces of art, sculpture and fine furntiure. Marie Antoinette lived there but became tired of Palace life so had a small village
The Rodin Museum
The grounds were beautiful and contained many of Rodin’s larger sculptures. built that included a working farm, Queen’s residence and numerous other buildings. It took a whole day to visit the Chateau, the grounds and the ancillary facilities but well worth the time.
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