another very long day...

We have been getting up quite late.  I used to be able to move time zones without a problem.  Old age has set in.  It sucks.  But there is something very relaxing about getting up at 11.

 After a cup of espresso, we jumped on the Metro and went to the Rodin Museum.  One of my favorites.  The garden, the sculptures, the entire ambiance of the museum.  A must see when ever in Paris.  The roses were in bloom and of course, the Thinker is classic. 

Fred, Josh and Emily were shattered and decided to call it a day and just relax.  Not Jessica and me, we carried on.  Someone had to.  We said au revoir and went to the Baccarat Museum.  Housed in a 19th Century home that has been renovated by Philippe Starke who created a Crystal Room, literally.  The place is incredible.  The room is like something out of the Marie Antoinette days.  Then the crystal which is housed in large glass boxes marked by date lets you see how much or how little the style has changed over the years.  What I didn't realize is that Baccarat was commissioned to design many of the fragrance bottles which are still used today from Guerlain to Cartier.  This place is definitely worth the journey  Even the bathrooms are beautiful.  We made reservations for dinner there in a week or so.  Fit for a king or queen, literally. 

Hopped another Metro to the Tuillieries and hd a bite to eat at Cafe Renard which is simple and is a treat just to sit in the park.  We walked across the way to the Museum Orangie.  This museum reopened a few years ago.  It is incredibly modern stocked with impressionist art.   On the main level are two rooms.  Each has a parachute type shade that covers the ceiling to allow natural light without harming the paintings.  Each room has four large water lily Monets.  We walked in to the first room and my eyes teared. The pieces are so magnificent, huge and breath taking.  My picture obviously does not do the painting justice.  Downstairs, there are painting from Van Gogh, Gaugin and all the great impressionist painters. 

As we walked back home through the Tuilleries, we saw two Richard Serra pieces.  The best part was the sign posted in front of the Serra's.  Do not touch, this is art.  I took a shot of the sign.  We weren't the only ones who got a kick out of it.

We grabbed the Metro and once we got off, strolled home.  Stopped by Barthelemy which is like heaven if you like cheese.  Picked up 3 small cheese bites to bring home for the troops.  No pictures allowed but I did take one and then asked.  Bad behavior but no one knew I took the shot but me. 

After finally getting home, washing off, and getting everyone moving, we headed off to dinner.  We had a fabulous meal.  Completely unexpected.  The restaurant is called Les Cocottes.  Everything is served in small casseroles.  We attempted to get into Christian Constant, down the street, but Cocottes is his place too.  I began with a puree of pea soup with spicy pieces of chorizo.  Jessica had Italian tuna in a small glass that was fantastic.  For dinner, I had four large shrimp over a mixture of roasted vegetables.  Everything was full of flavor, textures and had a twist of Spanish influence.  A winner.

We walked over to the Eiffel Tower, looked at the line and laughed.  We will be back and have drinks at the restaurant inside.  Another evening.

Home now, watching the Da Vinci Code.  My feet ache...but tomorrow is another day.