Versailles Palace and Gardens - France

The Gardens at Versailles were one of the most beautiful things that I had the pleasure of seeing when I visited France. As a matter of fact I wasn't looking forwards to the fact that we were going to take a train from Paris to Versailles and basically spend the entire day down there. After we went I have to admit that it had to be one of the most calming and relaxing experiences during the entire trip. This place is really up to each person on how they want to enjoy it. I personally had such a good time seeing the gardens that I never even went into the palace.

The Palace and the Gardens are both something that is worth seeing, and the hall of mirrors is something that a lot of people find very interesting. ( I personally loved it, but at the same time it was a little creepy). The Palace was first built as a hunting lodge but later became the location for the palace. While I do think that the history of this place is very interesting and time and work that it took to create both the Palace and the Garden is amazing I am for excited to tell you about the gardens and how amazing they actually are.

The gardens are actually very large and take a long time to see. As I stated before I wasn't that excited about going to the gardens in the first place, but once we got there, I decided to split up from the rest of my party and look around on my own. I spend a lot of time wandering around fountains and looking at scupltures that line certain areas of the gardens. There are so many fountains throughout the entire garden and each one is different from another one. While its easy to sit here on my computer and say that they looked amazing it's something that can be hard to put into words, even the photos that I have don't do it justice. Whenever you visit the gardens make sure to pay special attention to the fountains and the details that each fountain has.

Also I found out that it can be very easy to get lost in these gardens, there are even sections that almost resemeble a maze. In these areas the hedges are so tall and the walkways just wide enough that when looking down the path it looks as if you are entering a maze. However once you starting walking them they aren't all that bad, just be prepared to take your time, just in case you happen to take a wrong turn, but don't worry even if you take a wrong turn you will always be able to find your way out, even if its not at the same location that entered the hedges at.

While the gardens are beautiful and the fountains are amazing when I visited there were other things that you could do. For instance I had a friend that found he wanted to spend most of his time sitting on the steps to the palace sketching. Some of the pieces were amazing. There are also places that you can rent bicyles to ride around the gardens and see more in a shorter time (please note that while you are on a bicyle there are still going to be a lot of people walking on foot, so take notice of them). Also around a little lake or pond depending on what you call it people were sitting and reading and eating lunch. Some even were renting canoes to go out on the water.

While this might not make it sound like the best experience it really is and I hope that you will make a trip to see the beauty in the gardens. Just make sure that try and go on a pleasant day where the tempurature will be comfortable and there won't be rain. Also make sure that you plan to wear good shoes that you can walk in a good bit. And last but not least don't cut yourself short on time, if you have no other choice that is one thing, but try and plan a lot of time to see the gardens and if you want to see the palace make sure that you give yourself even more time. This will help to make sure that you make the most of your trip.

Opening times depend on the season as gotten from the official website

From 1 November to 31 March (low season)

Palace
Closed Mondays
9 am - 5.30 pm
Ticket offices close at 4:50

Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette's Estate
Closed Mondays
12 pm - 5.30 pm
 Ticket office closes at 4.50 pm

Garden and Park
Closed Mondays
8 am - 6 pm

From 1 April to 31 October (high season)

Palace
Closed Mondays
9 am - 6.30 pm
Ticket office closes at 5.50 pm

Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette's Estate
Closed Mondays
12 pm - 6.30 pm
Ticket office closes at 5.50 pm

Garden
Open every day
8 am - 8:30 pm

Park
Open every day
7 am - 7 pm for vehicles; 7 am - 8.30 pm for pedestrians

Musee De L'Orangerie - Paris France

Home to some of Monet's most famous paintings, the water lillies, the Musee De L'Orangerie is often an overlooked museum in Paris. While this museum houses paintings from some of the most famous artists on all time Monet's water lilles tend to steal the hearts of visitors of all ages. The museum has been the only place that has housed Monet's water lilles since his death. In 2000 the museum was closed for renovations and didn't reopen until May 2006.

When I went it was really busy, as a matter of fact I went in May 2006 as this was the time that I have planned my trip to Paris. So I had a wonderful time, but the line to get it was crazy. For those that are going now the lines will not be that bad and you might not even have to wait to get in. When I went in the museum I have to admit my eyes and attention were focused on finding the water lillies. I spend a lot of time admiring the lillies and would advise anyone that is in Paris to make sure that they take the time to look at these works of art, and don't rush yourself. Take plenty of time to look at the detail and admire the work. The display of these pieces is stunning, it's something that can't really be described. Remember when you are looking at the paintings, that you can take photos but you can't use flash. The flash from a camera will damage the canvas over time. When I went there was a security guide that was making sure that people didn't use flash, I don't know if they would still do that or not, but please don't risk damaging the paintings for people to enjoy in the future, turn off your flash.

While Monet's lillies are the star of the show at the Musee De L'Orangerie they are not the only pieces that are worth seeing. So make sure that you walk around the entire musuem and take your time. I wish that I had focused more on other works that were in the musuem and not just the lillies, but I did enjoy the entire museum, even though I would have liked more time.

Website: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/

Closed Tuesdays, May 1, and Dec. 25
9AM-6PM
 

 

 

Musee D'Orsay - Paris France

Paris France- The Musee D'Orsay is one of the most famous museums to visit when you are in Paris. While most people think of other places such as the Louvre, many will make a special trip just to see the Musee D'Orsay. The reason is that it houses many of the great works of art that have been created throughout history. Masterpieces from painters such as Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent Van Gogh are housed in this museum. But if you prefer other forms of art as Sculptures and Photography they can be found here as well, but we will get to that later.

The first thing that you need to know about this musuem is that while it is not as big as other museums in Paris, this does not mean that you will want to cut yourself short on time. As a matter of fact I would recommend giving yourself the day to be able to walk through and enjoy the entire museum at your leisure. It will depend on the person as to how much time you will want in the museum but it's always better to end up leaving before you expect and doing something else than wishing that you had more time, although I don't think that you will end up leaving early.

The first thing that you should take notice of is that building itself, you will notice that the structure is not like any other museum in the city, the reason is that the building was station, it was not designed to be a museum. The building was used as a station and hotel prior to housing the musuem and dates back to 1900. The museum opened to the public in 1986, and has been drawing visitors every since. While if you take a look and think about the design you can see that it was once a station, it looks more like a palace to me, perhaps it's the layout or what is inside, but either way it's a very powerful place to be.

As I stated earlier this museum has more than just paintings, I was very surprised with thier collection of photography. As a matter of fact few people know about this collection before they visit. Many of the photographers that are featured in the collection helped to create the art form as we see it today, before visiting the museum if you are not familiar with some of these photographers I highly recommend that to look at their work and learn a little about them so that you can apprieciate the works that you will see. The 46,000 piece collection includes photographs from photographers such as Hippolyte Bayard, Edward Steichen, Edgar Degas, Gustave Le Gray,  Roger Fenton, Paul Strand, and William Henry Fox Talbot. Make sure during your visit that look at these works.

Rodin's Gates of Hell

If you prefer the works of sculptors then you won't be disappointed with their collection. All throughout the museum you can see scupltures from famous artists and some that you will be delighted to discover for the first time. Some of the most popular pieces come from artists such as Auguste Rodin, Pierre Auguste Renoir, François Pompon, Ernest Meissonier, Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas, and many others. While the paintings are the pieces that will draw visitors to this place these other pieces are not to be missed.

If you are interested in looking to see what paintings are housed at the museum that can be found on their website and many other resources, but just to give you a taste of what you can expect to see I will tell you some of my favorites. William Bouguereau's Equality before Death, Edouard Manet's Rochefort's Escape, Paul Cézanne's The Hanged Man's House, Claude Monet's Blue Water Lilies, Edvard Munch's Summer Night at Aagaardstrand, Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, and Paul Gauguin's The White Horse.

Van Gogh's Starry Night

There are a few things to remember when visiting, one, make sure that you treat all these works with respect, that means do not touch them as the oils from your fingers can damage them, and do not write or mark on them, this would seem like common sense, but you would be surprised what some people do. Two, you can take photographs of some pieces of art (not photography), but you are not allowed to use a flash when around the paintings, as flashes can damage the paintings over time. If you would like to visit the musuem they are open:

9.30am to 6pm
late night on Thursdays 9.45pmlast tickets sold at 5pm except Thursdays
museum guest must leave at 5.30pm Except Thursdays
closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December

For more information visit their website www.musee-orsay.fr

Notre Dame - Paris France

I have to admit that when I looked at the list of places that we were going to visiting while in Paris this was one of the most exciting. When most people think of Notre Dame they think of gargoyles, while these are one of the must sees, there is so much more that you should make sure that you take a look at while visiting the cathedral. But if you do plan on seeing the gargoyles there are a few things that you need to prepare yourself for.

The first thing that you should keep in mind is that you are going to have to walk to the top. There are two towers, and if you want to see the south tower it will be 387 steps. That is just to the top, but you will have to walk all the way down as well. Somewhere along the way there is a gift shop, this will give you a chance to stop and catch your breath and rest for a minute. There are no places to sit and there is no way to take a break other than the gift shop on the way up. So make sure that you bring comfortable shoes to wear, and be prepared to get tired out. The good news is that it is well worth it to climb to the top.

Once you get to the top there are gargoyles and beautiful views from the top of the catherdral. You can also go and see one of the bells up close. I climbed to the top twice and the first time I missed the bell. So I point this out because apparently it is easy to miss this site. Make sure that you walk all the way around the top because you can get different views of the city and look at all the gargoyles and see them from different angles.

You can also visit the inside of the cathedral, but please keep in mind that this is a church and a place where people go to worship. There are lot of artifacts such as crowns, and crosses as well as statues and other things that you can walk through and see. The place is usually pretty busy and many people don't bother to walk through. This is a mistake. Make sure that you take note of the organs, if you want to hear them played visit during a mass and you can hear these amazing organs in person.

Don't forget to walk all around the cathedral and pay close attention to all the workings on the outside of the cathedral. Many people see the famous rose window but fail to pay much attention to anything else.

The cathedral is free and open to the public every day 8AM- 6:45 PM 7:15PM on the weekends.

The towers are open April 1- Sept. 30 10 AM - 6:30 PM
In June, July, August 10 AM- 11 PM on Saturday and Sunday
Oct. 1 - March 31 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Closed on Jan. 1, May 1, and Dec. 25

For all other information visit
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/

Shakespeare and Company - Paris France

Shakespeare and Company is a book store that is located in Paris. It's not anything that most people would look at and stop at unless they are aware that it's there. When I went to Paris I had heard of this bookstore and was thinking that I would check it out, however one of the other people that I took the trip with was familiar with it, and told me that it was a must see. Because of that we took a special trip just to see the bookstore, and I have to admit that it was well worth the trip.

The store has a great amount of history behind it, in fact most people are not aware that the current store that is open was not the first one that was opened. The first store with this name was opened in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, then in 1922, the store closed and moved to a larger location. During it's peak in the 20s many writers would use this store as a place to gather, writers such as Hemmingway, Jame Joyce, and Ford Madox Ford, where among a few of the patrons. When the Germans occupied France in 1941, the store was closed, and did not reopen.

In 1951, a store called Le Mistral was opened by George Whitman, but in 1964, Whitman renamed the store to Shakespeare and Company as a tribute to the store that was opened by Beach. When visitors see the store today it serves as both a reading library and store. The store also has beds for writers to stay in, Whitman allowed writers to stay there for free if they did chores and worked in the shop. When George Whitman passed away his daughter took over control of the store and continues to run it in the same way that her father did.



When I visited the store I have to admit I wasn't expecting much, but they actually have many different books, old and new. I could have spent all day in the store but my time was short, when I go back to Paris I plan to spend a lot more time at the store. It can seem a little small and almost cluttered, but don't let that keep you from exploring the store and missing out on this great experience. It's a fun place to just wander and look around, and you might even find some treasures if you are interested in reading, or collecting old books. There are many days in which you can find events such as readings, workshops, and other special events at the store. If you are interested in learning what is going on during your trip you can visit their website and look at the upcoming events.

The store is located at:
37 rue de la Bûcherie
75005 Paris
Phone: 00 33 (0) 1 43 25 40 93

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-11pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am-11pm

Website: http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/

Sacre Coeur - Paris France



The Basilica

 When I took my trip to Paris the very first night we took a trip up to Sacre Coeur, which I have to admit was a nice place, but by the time that we got there we were all so tired that we couldn't enjoy it all that much. We had just spent all night on a plane and walking in the rain. So my very first piece of advice when visiting this landmark is to make sure that you don't go when you are tired or right after you get to Paris if you are flying a long overnight flight.

The first thing that I did when I had some free time was go back to this place on my own so that I could view it on a beautiful day when I wasn't so tired. Therefore the next thing that I would tell any visitor is to make sure that you visit on a nice day. There are many things that you can see but The Basilica is what most people picture in their minds when they think of Sacre Coeur. And while most people will see The Basilica and then leave it's important to know that you can see some wonderful views of the city while at the top of the hill.

View of Paris

Be prepared to walk a good bit, when you are at the top of the hill you will do a lot of walking if you wish to see all the views that this place has to offer. Not only will you walk once you get to the top but you will also walk to get to the top, in fact there are a lot of stairs that you will have to climb to see the Basilica and to see the view of Paris. Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in. I did not get to explore the area as well as I would have liked but I did have a wonderful time walking and just enjoying the view of Paris and the fresh air. I have to admit it was one of my favorite views of the city that I experienced while I was in Paris.

Make sure to plan your trip in advance as there are opening and closing hours that you need to make sure that you know. The last thing that you want to do is get all the way there and then find out that the top of the dome is closed. Another thing that you need to make sure of is that you show respect, while this is a landmark and something that many people visit each year, it's also a place of worship and a place that should be respected.

Hours of operation:
The Basilica is open every day 6am-10:30pm (last entry at about 10:15)
Climb to the top of the Dome 9am-7pm (in the winter 6pm)
The crypt can also be viewed but opening times will vary
The shop is open every day except Mondays from 9:15-5:45

The address is:
BASILIQUE DU SACRE-CŒUR DE MONTMARTRE
ADORATION EUCHARISTIQUE JOUR ET NUIT
35, RUE DU CHEVALIER-DE-LA-BARRE
75018 PARIS

The Loss of a Childhood Memory in the Magic Kingdom - Orlando Florida

Just as the post says, the loss of a childhood memory for many people that have come to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando Florida. It's with a sad face that I have to announce that Disney World has closed Snow White's Scary Adventure for good. Theme parks have always changed and gotten rid of rides and shows to update and make sure that they stay the most popular (or at least try to stay the most popular), however from time to time theme parks will make decisions that take away a favorite or a classic in a massive "miss". For instance when Universal Studios replaced Back to the Future with The Simpsons it was almost enough to make me never go there again. But then again Universal has a habit of getting rid of rides instead of adding on.

However Disney is usually pretty good about making sure that all the classics are maintained and new areas are simply added instead of getting rid of a classic. While Disney has done some things in the past that I was not in favor of they usually make me happy. For instance I was not a fan of changing Pirates of the Caribbean to have characters from the movie in it, and change the dialogue  to appear more like the movie (to all you that thought the ride was based off the movie, no that's not true). The changes to the Haunted Mansion are kind of good, but at least they didn't get rid of any of the classic parts. The got rid of Mr. Toad's Wilde Ride to replace it with Winnie the Pooh, but they do have Mr. Toad at Disneyland, and Winnie the Pooh has become a classic on its own. This new development however has made mad.

The first thing that Disney decided to do was expand Fantasyland by way to getting rid of everything that was in Toon Town except the Barnstormer, okay, I can get on board with that. Two new rides, two new castles and the seven dwarf's mine. However, the first stupid thing they did was move and update Dumbo. At least they are keeping it, but there was something special about riding Dumbo and being over Fantasyland and seeing Cinderella's Castle while you were riding. Now you see the back of trees, the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Barnstormer, and it looks like a circus. I still love Dumbo, but it took away some the magic.

But not only did they do this, they also decided that since they were building a seven dwarf's mine ride they no longer need Snow White's Scary Adventure. This is one of the orginial rides in Fantasyland and classic. They logic, so I was told that was Walt Disney said that they would always be updating and adding, but what they left out was that Walt Disney also said that he wanted a park for an entire family to enjoy. Snow White's Scary Adventure, aside from being a classic, was one that there were no limits as to who could ride, any size, and age. The new seven dwarf's mine ride has a height requirement. Not only are they closing Snow White, because they are adding a ride that not everyone can ride, but they are adding a meet and greet for princesses in it's place. I was told this was because they never fit in toon town, well duh! I think everyone can go with that. However given that they are building two castle and have a lot construction going on, wouldn't it seem a better fit to place them there instead of next to Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh? And will you be moving the Fairie meet and greet out of Adventureland, I'm sorry but that doesn't make sense either. And by doing that they could keep a classic that all ages can ride. I mean you have the ride, why not just keep it? I'm sorry Disney I look forward to your update, but you missed on these two.

The good news is that most people never know the different or miss the magic of the orginal Dumbo or miss Snow White, but for those that have childhood memories of these, it's a sad day.

Pere Lachaise - Paris France

Alfred Chopin's Grave

When I went to Paris one of the things that I was most excited to see while there was Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Most people might not really think of a cemetery as a must see when visiting a new place. But this cemetery is really a must see. Not only does the cemetery itself have a lot of history but you can see graves from famous people. The cemetery itself houses over 300,000 graves, making it the largest cemetery in Paris, and one of the most visited cemeteries worldwide. When you visit this cemetery there are a few things that you need to remember to help make your trip a lot easier.

The first thing that I would tell someone is that you can get free guide maps. When I went we didn't know that you could get these maps so we were wandering around the cemetery and losing our way everytime we took a step. It's still a good idea to make sure that you have an idea of the layout of the cemetery before you go, you can find maps online. Its also not a bad idea to make sure that you know what graves you would like to see before arriving. This will help to make your trip more enjoyable and you can map out where the graves that you want to see are, and then take a stroll and see who else you can find amid the gravestones. If you find that you simply don't want to bother finding your way around you can get guided tours of the cemetery, but you must call in advance and book them.

Oscar Wilde's Grave

While Pere-Lachaise is the final resting place for many famous people many of the headstones and gravesites that are throughout the cemetery are interesting and in a way beautiful to see. So while walking along the paths make sure that you take a look along the way as you can see some very interesting things. If you are looking to make sure that you see some of the famous graves then make sure that you take note of certain ones. Jim Morrison, Chopin, Victor Hugo, and Oscar Wilde are just a few that you will want to make sure that you see. While you are at Oscar Wilde's grave you will notice that there is a wall that seperates the grave from visitors, this is because admirers were leaving their lipstick marks on the grave, in a tribute to the author, by leaving an "admirer's kiss", however since my visit the grave has been cleaned and a glass wall placed in front of the grave.

Victor Noir's Grave

If you are interested in a little bit of a strange but fun tradition then you will want to visit Victor Noir's grave. Victor Noir was a French journalist who was shot to death in a duel at the age of 22. The grave portrays him laying flat on his back, (life size), clothed with a hate having fallen to his feet, and a bulge in his pants, exactly the way that he fell to ground after he was shot. Victor Noir was known to be womanizer and a sex symbol. Today, people visit the grave and touch the crotch of the statue, its said to help with infertility and other sexual ailments and some even believe if will help them find a husband.

Jim Morrison's Grave

The cemetery is open

Mid-March through early November: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Mon.-Friday; 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturday; 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday and bank holidays.

Mid-November through early March: 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday and bank holidays.

Musee Rodin - Paris France

When I went Paris I visited a lot of the museums that were there, I had ones that I found to be boring and others that I found to be better than I expected. When I first visited the Musee Rodin I didn't know much about the famous sculpture but after I left I had a much better appreciation for him and his work. When you visit this museum its a good idea to make sure that its pleasant weather and no rain in the forecast. While many of the pieces are inside there are many that are outside including some of Rodin's most famous pieces.

Rodin's "The Thinker" is Located
in the Garden

Everyone that knows anything about art has heard of and seen photos of 'The Thinker" and this is one of the first things that you can see while visited the gardens and walking around the outside of the museum. Then you can take a walking tour and see other pieces that are well known, such as the "Gates of Hell", "Monument to Victor Hugo", "The Three Shades" , among many others. Its actually a pleasant walk and if done on a nice day can be something that will give you a wonderful view of the colors that are in Paris and a very calm feeling. Rodin himself actually placed many of the sculptures in the garden in the early 1900s.

If you go inside you can see works other that sculptures and you can see some of the smaller scupltures. Some famous pieces such as "The Kiss" are found inside the museum not in the garden. The inside, to me, when I went was very pretty but since I walked through the garden first I didn't get the same effect that I did from the garden. So I would recommend that you walk the inside of the building first as I felt that should I have done that first I might have enjoyed it more.

Rodin's "The Gates of Hell"

It's also a good idea to make sure that you stop and take a look at the marble collection, while you can't walk through this collection and many people overlook it, its worth stopping. The marble collection is protected by a glass wall so that the elements can't get to them and they are preserved for future generations to see.

One really good thing about this museum is while there are over 700,000 visitors a year it never seems that crowded to me. With all the space and the gardens it seems much more relaxed and usually doesn't feel like there is a big crowd all around you. So it much easier to enjoy the beauty of the garden and the pieces, than it is in many other musuems.

The Musee Rodin
Musée Rodin
79, rue de Varenne - 75007 Paris

Phone:+33 (0)1 44 18 61 10
Hours: 10 AM- 5:45PM
last ticket sold at 5:15 PM

Garden is cleared at  5 from 1 October to 31 March.
Closed on January 1, May ,1 and December 25.

Les Invalides - Paris France

There are so many places to visit in Paris that often times it can be hard to make sure that you cover everything. In fact anyone that I have ever talked to that went to Paris left and after they left remembered somewhere that they would have liked to have seen. That is why its a good idea to try and plan out everything that you want to see before you go, and there is one place that many people forget about until after they are home, but its worth seeing and that's Les Invalides. There are actually a lot of people that have never heard of this place and don't really have any idea as to what it is. Les Invalides is actually most famously know for the fact that this is where Napolean was laid to rest. But the history of the place goes well beyond that. It was actually built in 1670 to be a hosptial for soldiers.

Now Les Invalides has fifteen courtyards, a chapel for soldiers and a private chapel, and three museums. You can visit one of the chapels and the museums when you come here, but the most impressive thing to see is where Napoleon was finally laid to rest. This was the third place that he was buried after his death in 1821. Napoleon himself is in a tomb that is the center of the building that houses his tomb and others. The others that are buried in the same location include some of his family members and some of those that served under Napoleon.

Les Invalides is open every day of the year expect for the first Monday of every month, Jan. 1, May 1, Nov. 1, and Dec. 25
Open from 10AM - 5PM  Oct. 1- March 31st
Open from 10AM -6PM April 1- Sept 30

Cluny Museum - Paris France

Ok this is one museum that most people that I know that have been to Paris haven't seen. Its not one of the hot spots to visit, but if you know its there you should make sure that you visit. When I went to this museum I was really only given a short amount of time to see a few things that were there. They have a lot of gothic sculptures, and stained glass, but the most impressive thing that this museum had was the tapestries. They have tapestries from all over the world including Italy, Spain, Great Britian and Egypt as well as many from Medieval times. Most people have seen photos of some famous tapestries such as The Lady and The Unicorn, even if they are not familiar with the name of it. The Lady and Unicorn is a set of six tapestries that are some of the most famous in the world. It's estimated that the tapestries were woven around 1460 by hand. They are so famous and so beautiful that the museum has all six hanging side by side in a room that was designed for them. Unicorns were popular to place on tapestries in the Middle Ages, and this set is said to represent the five human senses with the last one being intuition, or what some call the sixth sense.

Just as a ,should you ever see these great masterpieces, here are what they look like and what they mean. The tapestry that means taste has a maiden with a parakeet and a lion and unicorn on either side. There is also a dog that is eating from the floor. The tapestry that means sight has a unicorn kneeling on a maiden's legs and is looking into a mirror. The tapestry that means touch has the maiden holding a banner while touching the unicorn. The tapestry that means smell has a maiden making a flower crown but also features a monkey sniffing a flower. The tapestry that means hearing has the maiden playing an organ and the lion and unicorn are on either side of the organ.

The final tapestry is the one that is the hardest to actually be able to interpret. Many think that it means intuition while some think that its merely conclusion or maybe an introduction to the series. The maiden is in front of a tent with an inscription that means "To My Sole Desire" The maiden's servent is holding a box and she is placing a collier in the box.

Should you find yourself in Paris and have some time go these tapesties even if you see nothing else in the museum, I wish I could have seen the entire museum, but its hard to feel cheated if you see these.

The museum is open 9:15 to 5:45 except on Tuesdays.
Closed Jan. 1, May 1 and Dec. 25

Admission 8,50 €

18-25 years 6,50 €
Under 26 years : free entrance for EU citizen
(Audioguide included in the price)

The first Sunday of the month : free admission
Audioguide is extra on Sunday

Is a part of the Paris Museum Pass

The Website

Louvre - Paris France

The Louvre, is the most well known museum in the world, and also the most visited. It has become a place for people that love art and history to visit and get lost in. If you are one of the people that find museums boring and don't wish to visit them, this one will leave you breathless. I have to admit that I had heard of the beauty that that Louvre holds I never imagined how I would feel walking down the halls seeing all the history and beauty in person. This is one place that people that can try to describe but no words can truly do it justice. I will tell you about my trip through the most wonderful museum in the world and things you should know before you visit.

The first thing that you should know is that you will not be allowed to take anything that is sharp or considered a weapon into the museum. A person I was traveling with brought a butter knife in case we stopped to eat at a cafe and they took it from her, and its a hassle to get things back. They will also scan your bags, and camera upon entering so make sure that if you are using film to using 400 ISO or less. They say that scanners can't damage film 800 ISO and under, but you aren't really safe unless you go 400 or less. And also its a good idea to make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to see the museum.

Winged Victory

The size of the museum is something that few people are prepared for, I was told that if you were to spend one minute looking at every single piece that the Louvre has without any breaks you would be there for four months. While I don't know if this is true, I have to admit, while I was there it seemed very true. The first stop on my trip to the Louvre was the classics and most famous pieces of art in the entire museum. That would be, you guessed it, the Mona Lisa, and Winged Victory. These are two very crowded areas of the museum and if you want to see the Mona Lisa, you should be prepared to wait in line. Also please note that photographs of any paintings are not allowed. The potential flash will damage the paintings and fade them. So you will not be able to take photos of the Mona Lisa or Madonna of the Rocks. But you can take photos of the famous Winged victory. I have to admit that after seeing all the masterpieces in person Winged Victory is the one that took my breath away. There is something very powerful when you are standing in front of it. I have to admit that I wish I had spent more time the Greek and Roman section of the museum as this is where the famous piece Winged Victory is as well as the Venus De Milo is. There are many potteries and other things that deserved more time than I had.

Burial Mask

While most people will think of the art such as paintings and sculptures there are many others things that can be found at the Louvre. There are a ton of sections and I didn't even get to see every section. I have always had a love for Egyptian history so the first stop I made after the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory was the Egyptian antiquities collection. There is so much that you can see in this section, from mummies, and burial pieces to clothes and jewelry there is a piece of every Egyptian lifestyle. I have to admit I spent most of my first day in this area of the museum. I still feel like I could have stayed longer. I felt like I was in a trance just looking at the history that I was surrounded with. There are pieces from all times in history Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, Roman and Coptic Art, Ptolemaic, and Byzantine. There are things such as mummies, and burial masks and canopic jars, and trinkets, and clothes. There seems to be a taste of everything in this collection.

The painting section has to be the most well known area of the Louvre as this is where you can find pieces like the Mona Lisa and Madonna of the Rocks. Works by Rembrandt and Da Vinci, as well as many other master's work are hanging on these walls. In fact in this area of the museum don't even think about taking our your camera as they will not allow photographs due to the fact the flash will damage the paintings. Here is another little known fact, should something ever happen and a fire break out in the musuem, water is the not going to fall, it will be sand to ensure that they works are not harmed. This is how commited the museum is to keeping their pieces safe. It's easy to loose yourself looking at the paintings that line the walls and even ceilings in the museum.

The only other area of the museum that I really got to explore was the sculpture section. This section held a lot of interesting pieces that caught my eye. Some people might call some of the pieces a little creepy or disturbing, but I found them to be something that I wanted to learn more about. There were so many pieces that help my attention for a long period of time. The power that they hold over you while you are looking at this is something that can't be explained. Some of these sculptures give you a feeling of what the artist must have been feeling while creating it. I would say this is one of the most powerful museums sections that I have ever been in, from any museum.

Sadly there were many other sections that I was unable to visit in depth such as the prints and drawings section, the decorative arts, Islamic arts, Near Eastern antiquities, and perhaps a couple of other sections I am forgetting about. I spent two days at this museum and wish I could have spent more time there. Although I have to admit that no amount of time would feel like enough in this place. If you find yourself in Paris, its a must to visit the Louvre but its also a good idea to plan at least a couple days to go if you can. Its also a good idea to know if there are any certain pieces that you want to see as if you don't make sure that you see them at first then you migth miss them, as you can get lost in this place very easily.

If you notice when you step outside there is a large pyramid that you can see. This is the pyramid that is featured in the Da Vinci Code, but it has a longer history that is much more interesting. This glass pyramid stands outside the Louvre and has a mirror pyramid that is known as the inverted pyramid that can be seen in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall. While the shopping mall is not that well known its a place worth seeing as there are many nice shops and you can see the inverted pyramid. While many people think this is a smaller version of the large pyramid that is incorrect. This pyramid is the same size, just upside down, the base can be seen from outside. The large pyramid outside is also surround by smaller pyramids that look the same just smaller in scale.

The Louvre open

Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 9-6

Wednesday and Friday 9-9:45

Closed on Tuesdays

Closed on French Holidays Dec. 25, Jan. 1, and May 1

On Dec. 24 and 31 the museum closes at 5

Rooms will start to close 30 minutes before closing

A day ticket is €10

The Magic City of Paris

Paris is best known as the city of love, millions of people come to Paris every year to find themselves, or to rediscover their love, or even to fall in love with Paris. Everyone has a story for coming to this city. At any time you can walk along the streets and see beauty in the buildings and get completely lost. Many people find that when they come to Paris they enjoy shopping, if this is what makes you happy then you will find what you desire. Small shops on every corner offer anything from homemade goods to the latest designers. If you prefer the more unique then take a walk and look at street vendors, if you want art you can find all sorts of art in these locations.



The great masters of art reside in Paris. If you are an art lover then come to Paris. No matter what kind is your favorite you can find it. Contemporary art is in abundance if you visit the Pompideu. They always have a wide range of exhibits that change on a regular basis so you never know who you will find. If you want to see the great masters in all their glory then head over to the Musee d Orsay where you can find Rodin, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt. Spend an afternoon getting lost in the famous artists that came before us. The Louvre, how can anyone think of Paris and not think of this museum. Possibly the greatest museum in the world the Louvre houses pieces from every great master painter. The Louvre also hold great historic treasures all through its’ walls.

If you like the darker side of history then tour the dead in Paris. Beneath Paris lies a tunnel of bones that remain as a monument to the dead. Catacombs are Paris’ largest graveyard. With bones arranged in decorative fashion and odd places this is truly a site. If you want to continue the day of dead go to Pere Lachaise cemetery and visit graves of greats such as Chopin, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.



Paris has one of the most famous landmarks of all time, the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel tower is a site to see, and a thing not to be missed. People come to Paris every year only to be able to see her and climb to her top. Another famous landmark is Notre Dame Cathedral. Many people come to see the cathedral but miss out one of the most famous parts of the visit. Make sure that you climb all the way to the top and get a great view of Paris and an up close view of the gargoyles. If you find you have time and want to take a walk near the Louvre go and see the Egyptian Obelisk.

Paris is a place to discover, whether you are traveling to discover a new place or discover yourself Paris can help you do this. Paris is a city to fall in love with, and it’s a city to fall in love in. Whether you leave in love with someone, the city or yourself, when you leave Paris you will be in love.