Rouen Part 1 -- Joan of Arc

Rouen is where Joan of Arc was tried and died in 1431. This is a tower named after her, which used to be a huge castle, the moat is still there. 

 Above is the Cathedral of Rouen, where Joan of Arc was tried.

 This is the very modern church named after Joan of Arc.

 This is the spot where Joan of Arc was burned alive.

 paintings of Joan of Arc, in the Musee de Beaux-Arts in Rouen

Musee Rodin -- February 9

On wednesday February 9th I visited the Rodin Museum. It was pretty cool. The thinker (below) is probably his most famous statue: 

 It sits in a very pretty garden, which I cannot wait to see in the Spring when everything is blooming!

 A pretty cool bust of a young girl. One of his early works.

 The Hand of God or Creation... pretty interesting. Above is the back and below is the other side. Almost looks unfinished to me but that was part of Rodin's style.

 Above is the Kiss.

 The Waltz... one of my favorites.  Its so fluid and pretty.

 Letters between Rodin and Monet, which is awesome. They had a pretty enduring friendship.

A Monet painting that he gave to Rodin. Awesome!!!

Paris, je t'aime

This past friday (the 11th) was a beautiful day which made me, and all of my friends fall in love with paris all over again. It was a beautiful 60 degrees and sunny. I started my day with my OFII appt, but that's another matter... then went to la place de la concorde. Which has had many many names. It is where the guillotine was set up during the French Revolution, so Marie Antoinette lost her head here! Now there is just a pretty fountain and the obelisk. 

 also a carousel

 I then went to les Jardins des Tuileries. Which was pretty even in February. I sat a fountain pond thing for a while and just watched all the people. It was very relaxing.

 Then to le Musee de L'orangerie. which is where Monet's Nympheas are. which are just awe-inspiring and wonderful. Monet wanted it to be a place of serenity, which I think that it is.

 my favorite part of the water lilies

 detail shot of the crazy colors that are in the painting.

 Then went to l'ile-saint-louis and got ice cream from Berthillon, which is absolutely delicious!!!

 my flavors were litchee and peche

then stumbled upon a street farmer. which was cool!

Chinese New Year Parade

Three friends and I ventured to the 13e arrondisment today for the chinese new year parade. It was really really neat. We had to wait about 15 minutes for the parade to start (it’s the same everywhere!). We were also behind barricades. So I sat down and attempted to take a video and pictures through the bars in the barricade, which was fine until the parade started. When the parade started a whole ton of people came walking along side it. And then some sat down directly in front of me on the other side of the barricade, which I tolerated for about 15 minutes and then stood up (and probably blocked someone’s view, which I was trying not to do by sitting). Throughout the parade random people would walk along side the parade, some taking pictures but mostly just chatting… going for a leisurely stroll alongside a parade and blocking EVERYONE’S view of said parade. Which was very annoying, but I could see most of the parade most of the time. There were lots of firecrackers set off alongside the parade route as well, which were very loud and not very pretty (just grey smoke). But the parade itself was very cool. Lots of dragons, dogs, karate and everything else you’d expect from a chinese new year parade… except the middle part of the parade. The middle of the parade was all Caribbean/African themed, which was really cool don’t get me wrong just unexpected. Then the parade finished with a giant buddha statue being carried through the streets. Afterwards we went for chinese food… which was delicious!!

Hotel des Invalides -- Pt 2 (the soldiers)

During my recent visit to le hotel des Invalides (see below) there was a re-enactment in the courtyard. Which was cool, at first. The soldiers all marched in followed by a small band, which was neat. Then they all lined up and made sure they were straight. Then they stood there for 20 mins just switching the position of their guns, kinda boring. It looked like there were 2 inspections made by higher ranking officers. During each inspection the band played, which was nice. Then there was a 10 minute wait and then another higher ranking officer came out (I could tell by the hats!). Then they stood around for while. Which was boring and the museum was closing in 20 minutes so I left to go visit Napoleon’s tomb (see below).