Paris

Je suis chez moi après neuf jours dans Europe!

My time in Europe consisted of a stay in Paris, a side trip to Great Britain including London, Bath, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle, and a visit to the Champagne region where I sampled spoils of Mumm and Moet & Chandon. Though the purpose of my trip largely revolved around my master's degree oral examination, I managed to find time to luxuriate in my surroundings; after all, it IS Paris.

J managed quite well at home with the help of some wonderful friends.

Though most art admirers flock to the Denon Wing in droves ('La Jaconde' is housed there), I still prefer the wing inaugurated to celebrate the museum's bicentenary, the Richelieu, for it's collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings.

Louvre with the Richelieu wing visible to the left of I.M. Pei's pyramid

The Musee d'Orsay, a former rail station, is now home to an extensive collection of art including numerous canvases by impressionist painters, mainly French.

Musee d'OrsayMumm Champagne Though there are myriad choices to indulge one's sweet tooth, I always opt for Eric Kayser's rich and pillowy creme brulee. Perhaps his Rue Monge location is the reason for my constant lodging in the 5th arrondisement!

A peek into a patisserie window

Decadence

My favorite metro stop is the Cluny-La Sorbonne stop on line 10. The ceiling of this stop features mosaics of signatures of distinguished Frenchmen.

A welcome site after a day of promenade.

Temple of Love in Marie Antoinette's Domaine Marie Antoinette's Grotto

There is no shortage of street markets in Paris. My favorite purchase is les cerises noir in the summer, but the winter and spring seasons supply delicate white asparagus, a close second.

Asperge Blanc at a street market Wine
Stonehenge
A tower at Windsor Castle
Statue at Bath
Marc Chagall's painted stained glass Crucifixion at Notre Dame de Reims Moet & Chandon Cellar

Staircase at Versailles

After a baguette, perhaps the only other necessary French sampling should be Laduree's macaroons: exquisitely colored, wonderfully textured meringue like pastries.

Ladurée Macaroons

La Petit Trianon

One of my favorite spots is the Queen's domaine at Versailles because it's exceedingly tranquil.

l'Hameau de la Reine