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Published: October 11th 2011
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Last Buche de Noels of the season!
From left to right: praline flavored and vanilla flavored. Note: All events in this entry occurred on January 5, 2007. Please refer back to this blog for more updated trips and entries. An updated trip or entry will NOT contain a note like this. Thanks and enjoy!
January 4, 2007- I end up waking up around 11 AM GMT, therefore all I have time to do is take the metro from Disneyland Paris to the Les Invalides station in order to find my hotel for the next two days. I finally arrived to my hotel around 4 PM GMT, so all I had time for was dinner. I ended up purchasing some grapes and a rotisserie chicken from a local grocery store just down the street. I also picked up two buche de noels, the last of the holiday season, for me to consume during the next two days as well.
January 5, 2007- As stated in my previous entry (entitled Two Days in Disneyland Paris), I was determined to see more of Paris. I unfortunately had two more days left in the city, however I knew there were two/three sites that I was determined to fit into my schedule: Versailles, the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay. I
had always wanted to see Versailles, ever since I was a child because of its historical connection to the Age of Enlightenment, its art, architecture and gardens looked splendid from photos and film productions I had seen in the past. I first begin my day by grabbing a grand creme and a croissant at a local cafe. Then I take the metro from Invalides all the way to Versailles, which is a subhurb of Paris. I then walk from the station to the front cobble stoned courtyard of the famous palace. Words cannot describe how impressed I was by Versailles' size, however I was glad to be there and ready to start my tour. I went into the ticket booth area, and purchased an all inclusive ticket for the gardens and palace at around 15 euros. After purchasing my ticket I then enter the palace through the designated doors and purchase an audio guide in English for about 9 euros. I begin my tour in the chapel, where every king from Louis XIV after attended mass, was coranated and married in. I then remember finding my way to the famous opera house, which was the center of French opera and
ballet during the 17th and 18th centuries. I then tour some of the other chambers, which featured elaborately decorated and vivid frescos. Apparently the best artists in France and also in Europe were invited to create art towards the completion of Versailles which was incredible I will admit. I also saw the famous Galerie de Miroires or the Hall of Mirrors, where all distinguished guests were greeted. This group of people included Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father Leopold Mozart. I then made my way to the grand ball room and then the sleeping quarters of the king and queen. I remember feeling sad after being in the queen's bedroom because I saw a painting of Marie Antoinette and her two children because they looked so happy and it made me remember that she was a wife and mother despite her rank as royalty. It's ashame she and her children died-if only there had been some other way I thought. The king's bedroom was decorated in a bright red with golden embroidery on the sheets, and head board. I remember learning fom the audio guide that the bedroom was built according to Louis XIV's
specifications that it face the sun because of his self-dubbed pseudonym "The Sun King." I end my visit by touring the gardens behind. Even though it was January and none of the flowers were in bloom, the gardens were still lavish, especially because of the fountains. However, there wasn't much to see in the gardens because it was winter time, so I decided cut my visit short and take the metro to the Louvres.
I then arrive to the Louvres, and spend the 20 euro entrance fee in order to view all the galleries. I begin my visit by seeing the old Medieval foundation and walls of the Louvres from the 11th century. I learned for the first time that the Louvres has existed in many forms, first as a fortress during the Middle Ages, and then as a palace retreat for the royal family up to the 17th century until Versailles was built a think. That's about when it was transformed into one of the most celebrated art museums in the world. I remember afterwards spending almost 2 hours in the antiquities section, just viewing the extensive collection of Ancient Greek and Roman statues as well as admiring
the frescos located up on the ceiling. I then make my way upstairs to view the European art exhibits. I begin to rush through unfortunately because I realized that I was running out of time until the museum closed, however I did get a chance to glance at the famous Mona Lisa. I also get to see some decorative art pieces from Mesopotamia, the Celtic era and also from the Far East from places like China. I end my day there by eating a late lunch at the cafe and also at the gift shop buying a souvenir. Tired, I head home, call my mother and then fall asleep.
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