Day 17 - Paris

We had planned a whole day in Paris before moving on. We had spent a few days there many years ago so we had visited a number of the "things to see". We had with us "Frommer's day by day" which we found very useful and we followed much of one of their suggested routes. We took the Metro to Concorde and entered the Jardin des Tuileries up from the Louvre. It is about the size of two football fields. Lots of ponds, shaded tables and lacy chestnut trees.

We moved on across the River Seine to the Musee d'Orsay which was converted from the old Belle Epoque railway station for a 1900 exposition and later turned into this museum. It is devoted to works created from 1848 to 1914. A large ornate clock dominates one end of the hall. Their is the main central gallery and many rooms off it at various levels. Many famous impressionist paintings reside here plus sculptures and other works of art. We spent quite a long time there until lunch time. We then moved on down by the Seine to reach Notre Dame Cathedral. Last time we were there we remembered it as a very dark building on the inside. It didn't seem quite as forbidding this time. Photography is difficult because of the light levels but we did get a nice photo of the famous Rose window.

Rose window in Notre Dame Cathedral


Another attractive stained glass window

Our walk took us by the Sorbonne as we sought out a street market which was quite entertaining. We took the Metro back to the hostel before looking for a suitable restaurant for dinner. We weren't late to bed because we had a very early start ahead for the long train trip to Venice.