If you've been reading The Marmelade Gypsy (or my other blog, Chopsticks and String) for awhile, you know that I have trouble resisting anything about Paris. Ever since my first trip to this astounding city a wee bit over a year ago, I have been more than smitten with its beauty and architecture, the culture, the history, the food, and anything related to it!
So, when Ruth mentioned the "Paris in July" blog event hosted by Karen and Tamara this month, I not only had to start blog hopping (dangerous at best! Oh, the things you'll discover on these links!), but participate, too. (Below, l'Hotel de Ville, a painting during its construction. This city hall and "official" home of the Mayor - who actually lives elsewhere - is a gorgeous building that houses a museum, glorious rooms and has a wonderful location just across the Seine from Notre Dame.)
We interrupt this year's vacation for a look at last year's to talk all things French and particularly Parisian. Maybe some of the pix from the trip (just humor me, OK? Pretty soon I'll stop using them!), maybe a little art and maybe a memory or two.
Actually, this comes at a rather fine time, as friends of mine are planning their first trip to Paris this fall and we're meeting to talk! So, I'll be sending them onto the Paris In July links, too!One of the museums I most enjoyed when there (and I have to confess, until several people said "you must go to Carnavalet, it wasn't on my itinerary) was Musee Carnavelet, which is located in a gorgeous hotel particulier that was formerly the home of Mme. Sevigne.
It is a combination of artifacts, paintings and drawings, and historic room recreations that tell the story of Paris -- it's famous and infamous, it's events, and its places, including Notre Dame, below.
(And, being as this is Tour de France time, which is taking an enormous toll on telly-watching time in my household -- I'm addicted, listening live at my desk at work, then watching in the evening!), I must share this entry from the art section!
Painted by Alexandre Ganesco in 1930, this is actually not the Tour, but it is a bike race!
These are others from those galleries that I've not posted on the Gypsy before -- some wonderful etchings from the days of big hoop skirts!
I love the humor, and the satire!
There was quite a selection of these witty cartoon/etchings.
I loved them all!
Please do stop by Karen and Tamara to see the links they've posted. And don't forget to check out Ruth's Paris Deconstructed (I found this indispensible when preparing for my trip, and delightful); Peter's Paris, with a wealth of photographs and history, and Vagabonde, who writes often of her native France for more things Francais!
(And I'll have another post or two as well on this before the end of the month. And, at Chopsticks, several books related to France can be found as you scroll through the older posts!)
“Of course!” I replied. “Who wouldn’t?” 
The Eifel Tower is a visual symbol of Paris to the world, I think. Built for the World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle) in 1889 by Gustave Eifel, it symbolizes love, technology, design. It is a landmark, and I have to admit, when I saw it from the plane, my heart beat a little faster. 
And, when I overshot my bus stop on the second day in Paris and landed on the front of it, I was in awe of its power, its beauty, and its height. 
And when I saw it by night, I was a bit breathless at its beauty, lit by hundreds of thousands of lights.
As one of the world’s most visited landmarks, it must be a well-run machine of efficiency. Easy in, easy out. Elevator to the top. Great view. They must have a system. 
Not.
And the line… well, I’m not sure where it started or even if I got to the right end of it. I just hooked on to an unending snake of tourists speaking every language and waited for (I think) the ticket line. 
And waited. It was a lovely sunny day, with a brilliant blue sky and every tourist who ever wanted to come to France was here at this very moment.
My friend Laura had recommended both -- she was right. 
Victor Hugo lived and wrote "Les Miserables" here (although I didn’t visit his rooms). 
And the park itself was lovely, again filled with people enjoying shady benches and sunny lawns, some with books, some with friends.
I took a few minutes to feed the birds that gathered at my feet as I finished off my lunch bread, glad that I’d saved some.
The Musee Carnavalet is devoted to the history of Paris and is comprised of adjoining mansions. A small but formal garden greets you.
I know I keep harping on the gardeners I see in Paris, but really, they do a marvelous job on often massive tasks.
Others demonstrate daily life, like this depiction of the tools of the apothecary's trade.
I was impressed by the groups of school children in their red hats, clustered around a teacher who told them about certain pieces of art.
The wrap-around murals were especially beautiful.
One of my favorite rooms was the Hotel d’Uzes Reception Room (1761) and the Louis XV room,which included much art and paneling.
But my favorite was the Ballroom of the Hotel de Wendel, an early 20th century ballroom interior reconstructed to depict the retinue of the Queen of Sheba. 
Of course there were numerous paintings from the era of Marie Antoinette and her contemporaries, as well as those of Josephine and her pals.
Carnavalet was a little gem and a free one at that. I was especially delighted that it was so close to Jerry’s, for by the end of the day, I was pretty tired!
