kimistry

Coffee break before the very long flight! : )

Heading to Spain today! Very excited…will be blogging from my phone…hope it works!

I don't know what kind of tree this was but the flowers were so pretty! I want one!

The flower markets were just stunning! They were truly amazing. You could just stand there for hours looking at them. The pictures that I took really do not do them justice. Then there were the flowers that were all over in the parks and walkways! Take a look…you will see what I am talking about!

Notre Dame - flowers in the courtyard

Flower market! Gorgeous!!

Flowers at the tower

Near the Pompidou Center

These are various pics of galleries around town and also some work by street artists. It is Paris, so you see quite the variety of work!

Paris art gallery exhibit

Painted on a building in the Montmartre area - watched them do this one

Gallery by the Louvre

Gallery located on Rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre

Oh la la! - Temporary exhibit near Louvre

Wake Up!! On building near a major flower market.

Ceiling of the gallery

The Petit Palais houses quite a collection of murals and sculptures that were created between 1903 and 1925.

Courbet and Realism - part of the permanent collection at the Petit Palais

This vase was over 5 feet tall - made around 1903

Decorated vaulted ceilings in the garden area

Beautiful mosaics on the floor of the Petit Palais

One of the various staircases with wrought iron banistersGarden area at the Petit Palais

Outside view of the Petit Palais

The Petit Palais was built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. It became a museum in 1902. It was designed by Charles Girault. It has a unique design that is based on a trapezium shape that consists of four wings that surround a semi-circular garden area. As you will see in the pictures, it is quite extraordinary inside the main lobby. The decorative murals on the ceilings and walls took over twenty years to complete!

Another view of the outside - Petit Palais

Entrance into the Petit Palais - quite amazing!

The garden at the Petit Palais

Inside the Petit Palais - Gallery of very old glass vases

Saint-Louis des Invalides Chapel - where Napoleon's Tomb is located

Another place that I visited today is called the Hotel des Invalides. This “hotel” was built in 1670 to house soldiers with disabilities. It had a veteran’s home, a convent, a hospital, barracks, and a workshop. It housed up to 4,000 residents. It is quite a massive structure and the corridors go on and on.

There is also the Musee de L’Armee that is part of the building. I did not visit the museum but there were old French cannons that lined the corridors and the main courtyard that could be viewed.

This is also where the Tomb of Napoleon l is located. It is actually in the Saint-Louis des Invalides Chapel.

Courtyard at the Hotel des Invalides

Hotel des Invalides from a distance

Various cannons line the corridors and courtyard

View from the stairs of the Grand Palais

I went to the most interesting, fun and colorful exhibit today at the Grand Palais entitled – Excentrique(s) Work In Situ. This exhibit was created by artist Daniel Buren. He is known for his use of color, light and work in situ, which refers to artwork being born out of the space where it is created. Interesting stuff!

MONUMENTA, is an annual event according to what I read. Each year an artist of international acclaim is invited to move into the Nave of the Grand Palais and create an exhibit. This truly was a spectacle to see…so intriguing and fun!

I can't really explain how neat this was to see!

Color!!! Fun!!! = )

Daniel Buren, the artist, being interviewed for a French magazine.

View from under...really nice!

Great view from the balcony

Grand Palais is the domed shape building in the distance

Today I was on the go again! I covered a lot of ground. I only have a short time left here so I am trying to make the most of it. The time has gone by so quickly! I saw so many interesting things today that it is difficult to know what to start talking about first. = )

The Grand Palais was actually designed for the World Fair of 1900.  It is considered “a jewel” of the Art Nouveau style.  It has an interesting blend of glass, stone and steel. It is recognized for its Nave, which is more than 200 meters long and covered with an immense glass roof.  The building is stunning to look at from the outside and inside!

One of the various entrances to the Grand Palais - houses numerous exhibits

On the Pont Alexandre lll heading to the Grand Palais

Bridge over the Seine - heading to the Grand Palais in the distance

Fountain at the Grand Palais

Market Square - lots of people around

The historic centre of Bruges is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The historic area was very interesting. I could have easily stayed overnight and explored the area another entire day. There was so much to see!! Oh…and I forgot to mention the chocolate is superb. It is Belgium…chocolates and beer…they are known for both!!! ; )

Canal bridge from a boat

View of a church in Bruges