We got back into the Paris suburbs on Sunday evening and just hung out at the house because we had a big week ahead before Maissie's departure on Thursday.
Monday, March 3rd:
After we got up and got ready for the day we headed into Paris and checked out le Musée du Quai Branly. Maissie had never been there before and I had only seen part of it so we decided to go there since we've already seen the Louvre several times. We wanted to try something new and bit more "off the beaten track" even though this museum is not really that.
Le Musée du Quai Branly with the Eiffel Tower in the background
Some of what you see inside the museum
The nice view from the gardens at the museum
Maissie & I in the gardens
Heading across the Seine to catch the métro
View from the bridge
We then headed over to try out lunch at my favorite little café in the 11th and the food wasn't too bad. We had a nice lunch and then headed on over to some of the brocantes (antique shops) but they were all closed on Mondays. So we jumped back on the métro and made our way to Angelina's, with it's famous hot chocolate. Of course we had to wait in line and it is currently fashion week in Paris so all the models and people in the fashion industry were all over the place in that area.
Maissie sipping on her Angelina's hot chocolate
Me ready to enjoy the rich hot chocolate
Some of the clothes from fashion week
Across the street from Angelina's is the Tuileries Gardens and that is where they have fashion week, we saw a lot of clothes being transported into big trucks and most of them are in black bags but surprisingly this collection you could actually see some of it.
View of the Louvre from the Tuileries Gardens
After that we headed back to the house to hang out and get some sleep before another day of exploring.
Tuesday, March 4th:
Well we were planning on going to the Château de Versailles today but I found out the night before that I had to go into school for half an hour around 10am and that just makes getting out there not very convenient. So we went with the flow and decided to push back Versailles a day and visit Paris today instead. Maissie joined me at school and got to see where I work and meet one of my students. After we were done with my class we headed over to le Musée des Arts Décoratifs. I didn't realize that it was in the same building as the Louvre so we were walking around for a bit before we found it. I guess I should've pulled out my map sooner. Anyways, it was not at all what I was expecting, it was much larger and it was rather interesting. I'll have to go back again before I leave since we didn't see a ton of it. We then headed over to the 11th to try out this little restaurant that only serves lunch (I used to walk past it every day when I lived in that neighborhood but never actually went there) and it was really good. It is all home made and fresh produce and the guy that runs it also does the cooking and serving. I will definitely be going back there. We then checked out the antique shops in that area and it was interesting to look at but mostly furniture. After leaving that part of the city we headed to the opposite side and visited Musée Marmottan Monet, which is probably one of my favorites. It is a small museum and normally doesn't have a huge crowd but holy cow today the line was ridiculous! We stood in line for an hour before we got in but they were having a special exhibition of Impressionist paintings that are part of private collections. It was really quite amazing getting to see art that is not normally out for the public to enjoy.
Musée Marmottan Monet
We then thought it would be a great idea to go over to the Arc de Triomphe and climb to the top since the last time either of us have been to the top was when we came with the Medinas in 2005. When we got there, there was some kind of ceremony going on and we never did figure out what it was for. We also found out that they were doing construction on it so the great view of the Eiffel Tower was sadly blocked. But we made the climb and don't remember there being that many stairs or it being that exhausting the last time.
Arc de Triomphe
Maissie & I excited to climb to the top
Closer up to the Arc de Triomphe
View from the top
View of La Défense
Zoomed in on La Défense
More views
Nice views
That was our sad view of the Eiffel Tower
Just looking down on the city
The ceremony
Maissie & I happy but tired
Wednesday, March 5th:
Today we headed out to Versailles and had absolutely beautiful weather for it. It was such a blessing because walking around outside when it is raining is not as much fun. We got up crazy early so that we could be there for when the château opened at 9am because we didn't want to have to deal with crazy long lines and one never knows what it'll be like at Versailles. Thankfully the line to get into the château was not that long and moved rather quickly. Unfortunately, they were doing a lot of work out in the gardens so almost all the fountains were empty and nothing was planted yet and everything was still dead but it was so warm and sunny out. When we made it to the gardens we strolled through them and sat on many sun soaked benches.
Versailles
The chapel in the château
Even the simplest things have to have details at Versailles
Maissie in Versailles
So much detail
In the Hall of Mirrors
Maissie in the Hall of Mirrors
Never noticed that before
So much gold
I guess this is what a painting looks like when one is restoring it
Maissie snapping photos
Large hallway
Great sunlight in this hallway
Lots of books
Maissie & I made it out to the gardens
A fountain
When we were out in the gardens slowly making our way over to Marie-Antoinette's Domaine both of our camera batteries died and I only had one extra one so I let Maissie take it since she has never been to Versailles before and I already have pictures of it. It was actually rather nice and freeing not constantly looking through a camera lens. I quite enjoyed just soaking in the beauty around me and not thinking oh, I should take a picture of that or I wonder if there are any tourists that'll get in the way of my picture. However, no fear, I do have the pictures that Maissie took.
Walking through the gardens
Le Grand Trianon
Maissie being silly
Walking through Le Grand Trianon
More of Le Grand Trianon
Interesting candlestick holder in Le Grand Trianon
A fountain near Le Grand Trianon
Le Petit Trianon
The entryway at Le Petit Trianon
Walking around in Le Petit Trianon
Outside Le Petit Trianon
Le Temple d'Amour
Looking at Le Petit Trianon from Le Temple d'Amour
One of the only flowers in bloom
The hamlet
Houses in the hamlet
More of the hamlet
Maissie & I enjoying the little hamlet
La Belvédère
The building at la belvédère
Me enjoying the view
View from la belvédère
After we visited Marie-Antoinette's domaine we started heading over towards the exit but had to get our afternoon coffee so we stopped at one of the cafés on the grounds. On the train rides back to the house we were both so tired that we pretty much slept the whole way there. We didn't do much in the evening just ate dinner with the Klevilles and hung out one last time.
Thursday, March 6th:
Today we got up early because I had to take Maissie to the airport. We got to lug her suitcase back to the train station and through the trains to the airport. We made it there in plenty of time which is good because I'd much rather have her be early than late and miss her flight. It was hard saying goodbye to my sister because I had so much fun and it was a bit of home right here to experience the wonders of France with me. However, I know that I'll be seeing her in a few short months when it'll be my turn to get on an airplane to go back home. It was quite strange though when I got back to my room because it felt so empty since it is a small room and her bags took up most of the floor space.
I'm so glad that Maissie got to come to Paris for her spring break yet again. I was lucky to have her come when I was studying in Paris for the year and I was lucky yet again to have her when I'm working here as an assistant. We had such a great time visiting France and seeing things yet also taking it easy and enjoying the simple things like just hanging out and watching a movie. I will always cherish these moments that I got to travel around France with my sister and hopefully we'll have many more adventures in France yet to come.
