Gardens and Galleries

Never again will I look at Degas ballerinas eyes and imagine innocence. 

Learning that for the less successful the corps de ballet was a cover for the sex industry of the time.  

Impressionist paintings of ladies turning an ankle, of dancers.  Not just the ribald or bar maids of the Folies-Berger but the delicate young.

All explained and examined in Splendour and Misery.  Pictures of Prostitution.    Currently at Musée d’Orsay.  

Latin Quarter Paris

A morning stroll through the Latin Quarter, central Paris is eminently walkable.

Le Louvre

Through the Louvre (no time to go in this vist) and Le Jardin des Tuliers

Le Louvre

Contrast of ancient and modern.

Le Jardin des Tuliers

Security strolled through sharp lines of what remains of Catherine’s Italian garden.  

Monet’s lilly Paintings at l’Orangerie

In the Musée de l’Orangerie rest, sit, stand and stare among Monet’s eight lily paintings.   Light and colour harmony.  If they piano had been playing I doubt I would left.  

Women Photographer’s exhibition

Then to the contemporary.  Who’s Afraid of Women Photographers?  Originally the well off women of the 1800’s were encouraged to take up photography as a ‘harmless pass time’.  How little did their husbands know.

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Images and statues from Degas, his contemporaries and others.    A day is hardly long enough to enjoy and we only left when asked to.

All the way to Paris then for steak and chips?  Irish steak no less.

Poulette Restaurant

The speciality of Poulette.  Recommended.