I decided to head out to the Latin Quarter, since Mom had been bugging me about it. On the way, my left heel started to hurt pretty bad. When I made it to my first stop, the Musee National de Moyen Age, I tried to readjust my shoe, and when I did I noticed a nice red spot on the back of my socks. Yes, Curt Schilling would have been proud of my bloody sock. I, of course, pressed on. The Museum was quite beautiful, with a number of nice pieces from t
he Medival Age. I especially liked the chapel, which was somewhat tucked away in a corner. Oh, I should also point out the narwhal horn that they said was believed to be a unicorn horn at the time (though I cannot imagine a unicorn that size!). I had a leizurely time making my way through this museum and the beautiful gardens outside.
he Medival Age. I especially liked the chapel, which was somewhat tucked away in a corner. Oh, I should also point out the narwhal horn that they said was believed to be a unicorn horn at the time (though I cannot imagine a unicorn that size!). I had a leizurely time making my way through this museum and the beautiful gardens outside.I then headed south, past the Sorbonne and the students just hanging around outside, to the Pantheon. About all I can say is "Wow!" This is an amazing building, with some beautiful
frescos of St. Genevieve, Joan of Arc, Charlemagne, and St. Louis. If the upstairs is not impressive enough, the crypt houses the tombs for some of the greatest French in recent history, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Dumas, Victor Hugo, Braille, the Curies, etc. It has been one of the highlights of my trip so far, for sure. It was a little interesting to read in the crypt about the structural problems they have been having. Not exactly the place you want to read something like that!
frescos of St. Genevieve, Joan of Arc, Charlemagne, and St. Louis. If the upstairs is not impressive enough, the crypt houses the tombs for some of the greatest French in recent history, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Dumas, Victor Hugo, Braille, the Curies, etc. It has been one of the highlights of my trip so far, for sure. It was a little interesting to read in the crypt about the structural problems they have been having. Not exactly the place you want to read something like that!Just behind the Pantheon is St. Etienne du Mont, which holds the remains of St.
Genevieve and some other religous figures. Unfortunately it closes from 1230-1400, and I was there just after 123o. I decided to move on to the Jardin du Luxembourg instead. This includes a very large pool and mansion and some beautiful statues in the gardens. It was a nice peaceful time just walking around.
Genevieve and some other religous figures. Unfortunately it closes from 1230-1400, and I was there just after 123o. I decided to move on to the Jardin du Luxembourg instead. This includes a very large pool and mansion and some beautiful statues in the gardens. It was a nice peaceful time just walking around.I then headed back north to find St. Severin. I am quite glad I did. This is another im
pressive example of Gothic architecture, almost like a mini-Notre Dame. Interestingly, they have a somewhat modern chapel on the southern side that holds the Blessed Sacrament. I was somewhat dismayed that there were some people instead bugging visitors to sign some kind of petition (I think, I did not let them get close enough to explain what they were about). You would think that they would respect a Holy site, but of course not.
pressive example of Gothic architecture, almost like a mini-Notre Dame. Interestingly, they have a somewhat modern chapel on the southern side that holds the Blessed Sacrament. I was somewhat dismayed that there were some people instead bugging visitors to sign some kind of petition (I think, I did not let them get close enough to explain what they were about). You would think that they would respect a Holy site, but of course not.Anyways, after this I walked about two blocks east and found St. Julien le Pauvre, a former Catholic church that is now (I believe) Greek Orthodox. It is much smaller, but still something to see.
Just slightly north of there I found the Shakespeare bookstore and had to walk inside. I 
was tempted to buy a book just so I could get their stamp inside it, but I am always thinking about not wanting to lug stuff around. So, I moved on back west and stopped at the St. Michael fountain.
was tempted to buy a book just so I could get their stamp inside it, but I am always thinking about not wanting to lug stuff around. So, I moved on back west and stopped at the St. Michael fountain.I did not know of anything else to see in the area, so I started heading back. On the way, I spur-of-the-moment decided to stop at the Musee d'Orsay since I had not been able to see it last weekend. I have to admit that, unfortunately, this was my first disappointment of the trip. Yes, there was some nice art in it, such as the huge gold and mirrors ballroom. I did appreciate some of the sculptures as well, and some of the paintings were nice (I found an especially beautiful room with some Arabic paintings), but overall it just was not my cup-o'-tea. I understand the appeal of Impressionism, but I just cannot get behind it. Also, they do not allow photography anywhere in the museum, so I cannot share any of the nice pieces I found. So, disappointed, tired, and with a bloody heel, I began to return to my apartment.
On the way, I remembered a church I passed every time I walked east, so I decide
d to finally make a stop there. Sainte Clotilde is yet another marvelous church. There are not really any artifacts, per se, but I was able to appreciate the building itself. I believe it is a newer church, built as Neo-Gothic. The rose stainglass windows on either side of the altar were especially beautiful. It was nice, also, that an organist was practicing while I was there so I had a (somewhat stilted) soundtrack!
d to finally make a stop there. Sainte Clotilde is yet another marvelous church. There are not really any artifacts, per se, but I was able to appreciate the building itself. I believe it is a newer church, built as Neo-Gothic. The rose stainglass windows on either side of the altar were especially beautiful. It was nice, also, that an organist was practicing while I was there so I had a (somewhat stilted) soundtrack!By this time I was very hungry and tired, so I finally made my way back to my apartment. After an hour or so of resting up, I walked over to the market and picked up a salad and salami sandwich for dinner. Yes, Mom and Dad, I also bought some bandages for my heel. I made it back in time to watch yet another pathetic showing by the Aggies before posting this (which is somewhat helping me take my mind of the patheticness). Tomorrow is my last full day in Paris, so I will try to make it a good one!
No comments:
Post a Comment