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Graham & Jane
No that should read Mona Lisa,
or
Our day at the Louvre,
or
Girls you would have been so proud of Jane today.
We had decided to take in the Louvre today and took a stroll along the river bank from our hotel to the museum. We decided to go to the Louvre as it was supposed to be overcast and showers. Just as in Australia and the UK, the weather forecasters find it hard to predict rain in a thunderstorm.
On entry to the forecourt we realised we should have pre purchased the tickets as the queue to get into the Louvre was about 500 people long, and this was just to go through the security gate. Not to worry Jane is on her crutch and as we approached the end of the queue we were ushered straight to the front, not for the first time this trip being on the crutch has proven to be a bit of a bonus.
Once inside it was straight forward, buy tickets pick up Nintendo DS self guide system and go for it. We were inside and looking at the exhibits by 11am, pretty good really as we did not leave the hotel until almost 10:30. We both wanted to see the ancient civilisation exhibits as we had read about them being the best available easily, so headed for this section in the Richelieu wing. (when you are given a guide map covering 5 pages double sided you know you are in for a big day) We started in the Near Eastern Antiquities and worked our way round through the Egyptian, ancient Egyptian, Greek, Italic and Etruscan antiquities to the Roman. By which time it was 2pm and we were ready for coffee and something.
It was at this point we both agreed if you wanted to do this properly we probably needed a number of days and probably not with each other, as one of us wants to read and learn about everything and the other does not. So over coffee we determined we would have a look at the section European Decorative Arts (basically French) and Napoleon's rooms, before making our way round to Italian paintings section to see the Mona Lisa.As we reached the Italian section it was obvious this is where all the tours are brought as there were numerous tour guides all rushing along waving their flags and talking into their microphones. We would guess they do the masterpieces tour which according to the Nintendo takes around 1hr. We must add these self guided devices were really good, once you had learned to drive them, needed one of the grandchildren with us to take full advantage.
By 4pm we were both all museumed out for the day, and made our way out of the Louvre, which thoughtfully takes you through a shopping centre to get out to the road. Once out we found our way to a very nice cafe overlooking the Seine where we rested with a cup of tea for one and a beer for the other. Then a slow walk back to the hotel to recuperate before dinner.
The only issue we had for the day, was Graham forgot to take his camera, mistakenly believing they would not want you taking pictures inside the museum, so all the pics were taken using the phone. Next time I will listen I promise.
or
Our day at the Louvre,
or
Girls you would have been so proud of Jane today.
We had decided to take in the Louvre today and took a stroll along the river bank from our hotel to the museum. We decided to go to the Louvre as it was supposed to be overcast and showers. Just as in Australia and the UK, the weather forecasters find it hard to predict rain in a thunderstorm.
On entry to the forecourt we realised we should have pre purchased the tickets as the queue to get into the Louvre was about 500 people long, and this was just to go through the security gate. Not to worry Jane is on her crutch and as we approached the end of the queue we were ushered straight to the front, not for the first time this trip being on the crutch has proven to be a bit of a bonus.
Once inside it was straight forward, buy tickets pick up Nintendo DS self guide system and go for it. We were inside and looking at the exhibits by 11am, pretty good really as we did not leave the hotel until almost 10:30. We both wanted to see the ancient civilisation exhibits as we had read about them being the best available easily, so headed for this section in the Richelieu wing. (when you are given a guide map covering 5 pages double sided you know you are in for a big day) We started in the Near Eastern Antiquities and worked our way round through the Egyptian, ancient Egyptian, Greek, Italic and Etruscan antiquities to the Roman. By which time it was 2pm and we were ready for coffee and something.
It was at this point we both agreed if you wanted to do this properly we probably needed a number of days and probably not with each other, as one of us wants to read and learn about everything and the other does not. So over coffee we determined we would have a look at the section European Decorative Arts (basically French) and Napoleon's rooms, before making our way round to Italian paintings section to see the Mona Lisa.As we reached the Italian section it was obvious this is where all the tours are brought as there were numerous tour guides all rushing along waving their flags and talking into their microphones. We would guess they do the masterpieces tour which according to the Nintendo takes around 1hr. We must add these self guided devices were really good, once you had learned to drive them, needed one of the grandchildren with us to take full advantage.
By 4pm we were both all museumed out for the day, and made our way out of the Louvre, which thoughtfully takes you through a shopping centre to get out to the road. Once out we found our way to a very nice cafe overlooking the Seine where we rested with a cup of tea for one and a beer for the other. Then a slow walk back to the hotel to recuperate before dinner.
The only issue we had for the day, was Graham forgot to take his camera, mistakenly believing they would not want you taking pictures inside the museum, so all the pics were taken using the phone. Next time I will listen I promise.
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