Day 6 Le Louvre

Salut!

Today, it was all about the Louvre, and the surrounding environs. I know Rick Steves says it's two hours, mais vraiment! c'est Le Louvre!

I followed Rick's audio tour (free at his website)} --well for the most part--veering off when he moved too fast and I wanted to see EVERYTHING! Not possible, still I did a great 6 hours there, taking time to sit here and there and just be with the masterpieces. It allowed me to pace myself and enjoy it all, without stress and too much fatigue--wiped when I left, but tres content!

The crowds were expectedly horrendous--I went first thing in the morning; perhaps the evening would be better... next time? :}

I learned to jockey for position and push aggressively--politeness got me shoved to the back and groped, I think. So, you can push and shove and say Pardon the whole while and that way you get your turn. In places where only a few people stood, civility returned: people stood aside when others were taking photos and waited for space--this was true in all the museums i visted.
Monna Lisa (spelling correct!) was amazing--and the crowd second to none! I wish I couldv'e sat and enjoyed a while--but this had by far the most people around any exhibit anywhere. Venus striking also... take a look as some videos, pictures... I particularly loved the sculptures, ceilings, and 3-D pieces--particularly taken by how stone can look like fabric and hair... i love the fluidity and the contradiction of the warmth of the cold marble. I confess the les beaux arts me faite sentimentale!

(note to self: other possible titles--Lost in France! in the Louvre, environs, tout!)

More videos later--taking too long to upload and although my cafe is si gentile, i have places to go!

au revoir, amis.

xxxooo