Paris in Spring - Mona Lisa & Models

Monday was my day set aside for visiting the Louvre.  I didn't plan anything else since I knew it could easily take all day.  I rode the train there to save time but wanted to walk back so I could hit another museum if time permitted.  I bought my Paris Museum Pass from our hotel concierge so when I got to the Louvre I didn't have to wait in line (worth every penny!).  Also - a little tip while I have your attention - make sure you check out the open days of your museums you plan to visit while in Paris (or any destination).  A lot of museums have a day they are closed so you need to plan accordingly.  Since they are open on weekends, a bunch of them are closed on either Monday or Tuesday.

 I made it to the Louvre and bypassed the long line.  I picked up a map and then started my journey.  The OCD in me wanted to walk through each exhibit in an organized manner so that I could see everything.  After 2 hours of barely scratching the surface of the museum I began feeling a little overwhelmed.  Also, none of the exhibits had English translations so I couldn't tell what I was looking at.  Yes, I realize I was in France but a lot of places do cater to other languages.  I wish I would have known to spend the 5 euros on the Nintendo DS audio guide where you could type in the exhibit number and it would talk to you.  Lesson learned.  After my mini panic attack I realized I was going to need to speed things up and just see the pieces that were highlighted in my brochure.

 I found this little baby bassinet so adorable.  I wonder if the new royal baby has something like it.

 The recently renovated Winged Victory of Samothrace.

 I finally saw Mona and I was sort of like, "meh - she's cute and small."  While this picture doesn't show it, the people crowding her were CRAZY.  You would have thought they were getting Leonardo da Vinci's autograph from the grave.  I really just wanted to see the painting and didn't care much about getting a picture but I couldn't even get to it because of all the selfie taking that was going on.  At 5'2" I was getting pushed and prodded and my mini panic attack was about to turn for the worse.  I decided to step away and call it a day.  BTW - some people have said they weren't allowed taking pictures in the Louvre.  I believe this ban has been lifted because there were photographers everywhere and the guards didn't seem to care.  I don't use a flash in museums and cathedrals (reason for my grainy pics) but I don't really see a problem with snapping a pic here and there unless it's specifically prohibited.

 Cupid and Psyche

 Hello pretty, armless lady. Venus de Milo.

 Fresh air again.  When I decided I was done and wanted to leave I kept getting lost.  I would follow the "Sortie" signs and then end up back where I started.  I thought I'd never see daylight again.

 Walking away from Musee du Louvre through Jardin des Tuileries.

 l'Obelisque straight from the Luxor Temple in Egypt.

 Grand Palais.

 After the Louvre I had enough time to visit Cite de l'Architecture which is a museum dedicated to the architecture of the region.  It is located at Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower.  I loved all of the models and casts of famous buildings.

 These are actually casts of sculptures throughout the region.

 The upper floors were dedicated to modern and contemporary architecture.

 There was even a full scale replica of an apartment from Le Corbusier's Cite' radieuse in Marseille.  Apparently it was created by high school students throughout the region.  I'm not dissing on my high school education but I don't remember doing anything that cool.

 If I lived in Paris, I think I would spend way too much money on flowers.

I enjoyed a little cheese, bread and diet Coke in the hotel room while I waited for Jacob to take me out for sushi.