Friday, 10 October 2014
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Leaving Paris, back to Melbourne
Left our Hotel L'Horset Opera Tuesday. Popped into the Galeries Lafayette department store to check out the beautiful dome and wasn't disappointed. Great sale going on, but no time to shop. Had some spare time on Sunday, but shops don't open in Paris on Sundays.
We caught a taxi to the airport in preference to the train, more expensive but less hassle.
Both legs of the flight were good this time, even the economy one. Could have missed the second leg because we forgot we'd lost an hour. When Allen checked it was a rush to our gate, which was at the end of the line, naturally. Arrived hot and bothered (well, two of us did) but made it with ten minutes to spare.
Wonderful trip, so much seen and done.
We caught a taxi to the airport in preference to the train, more expensive but less hassle.
Both legs of the flight were good this time, even the economy one. Could have missed the second leg because we forgot we'd lost an hour. When Allen checked it was a rush to our gate, which was at the end of the line, naturally. Arrived hot and bothered (well, two of us did) but made it with ten minutes to spare.
Wonderful trip, so much seen and done.
Eating at the Antoine Westermann Restaurant
It was raining, so we walked round the corner and found this restaurant- Drouant. Maybe a bit pricey, but close. They were booked out, but kindly managed to find a table, smallish, but we could have it if we wished. We did wish, and enjoyed an excellent dinner, great waiter. Since then, I've discovered this is a prestigious place in the Rue Gaillon.....and we didn't even know it was there.
Attending the Chantilly Hippodrome
The Chantilly Racecourse is right next to the Chateau. The meeting we attended was an ordinary one, but bigger meetings with Melbourne Cup type celebrations are held here in summer. It is a beautiful course with the stunning, historic Chateau and its incredible, original stables as a backdrop. Facilities were only ordinary on this day, but it was worth going for a look. Had one bet, picked no 7 and backed no 11. Of course 7 won.
After the races, we had a 1.5 km walk through a dense, but pretty, wood to the train station. We just beat the rain - only the 2nd rainy day since we started on our holiday.
After the races, we had a 1.5 km walk through a dense, but pretty, wood to the train station. We just beat the rain - only the 2nd rainy day since we started on our holiday.
Last day in Paris at Chantilly
Bit of an odd combination today, because we visited two very different places, although horses link the two and they are only a few minutes walk apart. We caught the train to Chantilly Govieux from the notorious Gare Du Nord and 25 minutes later we were in Chantilly trying to get a taxi to the Chateau.
The first was the Chateau at Chantilly. It doesn't get a lot of publicity, but it is a magnificent building in a beautiful setting.Very few people visiting which was a change. There is a wonderful collection of books in the library and a superb display of illuminated manuscripts. The Duc of Aumale also collected paintings, of which there are many, including three by Raphael. In addition, there is an exquisite collection of objets d'art.
Outside, the property is divided into two main gardens and a woodland. Small chateaux could be glimpsed through the trees past the waterfalls, canals and lakes. There is a restaurant in the grounds. Because we wanted to go to the races next door, as well, our time was limited, so we hired a golf buggy and Allen drove us around the gardens. That tells you how large they are.
The 18th century stables are set apart, and they too, are magnificent. Horse spectaculars of all sorts are held here. There was an equestrian event today, but our ticket didn't cover entry into this. We had plenty to see anyway and could only whizz through the horse museum.
The first was the Chateau at Chantilly. It doesn't get a lot of publicity, but it is a magnificent building in a beautiful setting.Very few people visiting which was a change. There is a wonderful collection of books in the library and a superb display of illuminated manuscripts. The Duc of Aumale also collected paintings, of which there are many, including three by Raphael. In addition, there is an exquisite collection of objets d'art.
Outside, the property is divided into two main gardens and a woodland. Small chateaux could be glimpsed through the trees past the waterfalls, canals and lakes. There is a restaurant in the grounds. Because we wanted to go to the races next door, as well, our time was limited, so we hired a golf buggy and Allen drove us around the gardens. That tells you how large they are.
The 18th century stables are set apart, and they too, are magnificent. Horse spectaculars of all sorts are held here. There was an equestrian event today, but our ticket didn't cover entry into this. We had plenty to see anyway and could only whizz through the horse museum.
Sunday, 5 October 2014
Musee D'Orsay part 2
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art make up the bulk of the collection and that is what we came to see. Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Sisley and Van Gogh, amongst others, have their work displayed here. It is a wonderful representation of art from the second half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.
No photos allowed of the art of course, but I was able to take a photo of the original interior clock and one through the exterior clock, with Sacre Coeur in the background, if you look closely.
Because we arrived at 4.30 on a Sunday, we had free entry, which meant we only had to queue for 10 minutes. Can't imagine what it would be like to visit Paris and London in the high tourist season.
On the way home we stopped for dinner at the Tres Honore Restaurant - pleasant ambience and delicious food.
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