After our usual breakfast, we headed out on the Metro for the
Louvre.
We found a LONG line waiting for the security check. When we finally
got through this, we came up to another super-long line to enter the museum.
Despite our arrival at the time of museum opening, we spent nearly an hour
waiting in line. Our passes helped, but the wait was exceptionally long. Once
again, we felt the increased security impact.
Welcome to France with
enhanced security—and LONG lines.
We went through several galleries. Lots to see, but the
whole museum is a maze of convoluted routes and dead-ends with up and down
stairways.
By 11:45, we were tired and hungry. We were near the museum
restaurant and decided to stop here for lunch. As we were waiting for a table,
I suddenly felt light headed. Fortunately, I didn’t pass out. They didn’t have
a table for four available, but we were able to get two tables for two. Ours
was near the dessert display, so Larry selected his before he even started his
meal.
Bob and Bernie were seated near the window with a nice view.
Even though we weren’t sitting together, we all ordered Caesar salads. Larry
had a terrific Napoleon for dessert, and I had a wonderful lemon tart.
After lunch, we set out again. We realized we hadn’t seen
the Mona Lisa. So, down hallways, up stairs, down stairs, around corners, into
another building, we encountered more and more people. We finally reached the gallery
which housed Da Vinci’s masterpiece. Just as four years before, we couldn’t get
to within twenty feet of the painting. She is now behind two layers of glass,
and railings keep visitors several feet away.
After spending hours walking through the museum, we were
ready to head back. We enjoyed the day, but none of us felt the need to return.
We had enjoyed a great lunch, so we went to the store and
bought apples, cheese, crackers, Sun Chips, and tea. The lighter repast hit the
spot.
We went to bed early because we had another busy day planned
for the following day.
Next post: Musee d’Orsay and Larry’s birthday.
We encountered the same security at the Vatican Museum last year in Rome. Felt like I was at the airport security. So sad that the world has become so afraid. Terrorists are winning.
ReplyDeleteParis is still lovely, but a bit sad that you can't get to many of the landmarks without long lines and security.
DeleteUnfortunate that our world has become so scary. But so glad you had the chance to see all this.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't feel at all ill at ease while we were there, but the evidence of heightened security was everywhere.
DeleteYou should have gone in the evening (Wednesday and Friday) then there is almost nobody...
DeleteWish we had known. The Louvre is a place everyone should see once. We had a wonderful guide with your tour, but once we had been there, we felt no need to go again. We only went this time because our friends hadn't seen it. There are SO MANY great museums in Paris I like better. However, lunch at the formal restaurant was delightful.
DeleteIts been years since I was in Paris, years. As a teen i lived in Paris and was the tour guide for all the family friends who wanted to visit. Old Louver is imprinted on my mind. Most tourists just wanted to a a few specials and I whisked them in and out, stopping at a few of my own favorites, in two hours. I went to the new Louvre only one, and reading this I agree that the era-by-era, cul de sac small room groupings and all the stairs made it lose its flow. I didn't even bother with Mona Lisa, poor girl.
ReplyDeleteWe were talking to someone about the Mona Lisa. I've never seen the fascination... I adore his Ginevra de' Benci. We saw her at the National Gallery several years ago. I stood there and cried because it was so beautiful.
Deletehttps://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.50724.html
We also saw the Baptism of Christ at the Uffizi. His skill and ability were obvious. http://www.lairweb.org.nz/leonardo/baptism.html
The person we spoke with said he thought the Mona Lisa may have been da Vinci's scam. I was once told the proportions were mathematically perfect. But unless I've missed something, I see nothing beautiful about it.