A few days in Paris

Most people say that in order to experience Paris properly one would need at least five days. So you can imagine our two-ish-three-four-ish days were a flurry of getting to and from, seeing sights, and hearing sounds as we moved through the city trying to take in as much a possible. The pictures below won't do justice to Paris, but they give a flavor of our own petit experience.  

Can you spot the tourist? The only person in Paris wearing shorts.

In Monet's garden at l'Orangerie-- So much larger than what I have seen in the art books. The paintings (there are eight) were a gift to the people following the Great War.

An obvious favorite from Musèe Rodin.

Some pieces that gave us longer pauses at the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre...

Hazy sunset, but still...

 

Philippe was so helpful and patient with our bike situation, and welcoming in all other ways... We shared great wine and stories and dreams of cycling.

Getting around anywhere is way more efficient by bike! The Velìb system is mostly easy--and pretty thrilling--once you get used to the practice of riding in Paris traffic. Thankfully, Parisian drivers seem to be very aware and courteous to cyclists.  

When possible, we tried to keep to quieter lanes, many just a block or two from major 4-lane streets.

One view from the top of the Pompidou Center...

One view from within the PC...

Alas, because of the setback on Tuesday with our bikes being delayed, this is about as close as we got to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur.

More favorites from Musée Picasso--a treat of a stop in the squirelly-laned Marais district.

 

Fitting... And perhaps foreboding that parts of our trip could be an ass kicker... "The Bull"

Chilly last morning ... Notre Dame 

Final stairs down before cycling to Gare de Lyon to catch the train to Dijon, from where we'll actually begin our true cycle "tour".