Final Thoughts . . .

Evening on the Seine

I wrote this blog as a diary of my trip and also to share with those who may be contemplating a trip to Paris in the winter, and for those who might consider traveling to Paris alone. As this was only my second time to the City of Light and my first time traveling overseas alone, I realize I didn't venture too far beyond what most tourists normally do. Traveling to Chartres and Bruges was huge for me as those were unknowns and figuring out the trains and navigating through these unfamiliar cities was a personal accomplishment. Other than a few minor bumps in the road, I have no complaints about my 10 days abroad.

Some final thoughts . . .

• Would I rent an apartment again or stay in a hotel? I would say for the length of time I was in Paris (10 nights), I would definitely rent an apartment again. Although it wasn't a huge space, it was far more spacious than most hotel rooms and having a fully equipped kitchen was a perk when I wanted to eat in. The washer/dryer was also a bonus. And the price was less than I would have paid at a hotel.
• Would I go back in the winter? Absolutely! I think I was a bit spoiled with the great weather in Paris this past winter and had it been raining everyday, I may feel otherwise. But the quiet of the city, the lack of lines and throngs of tourists . . . it definitely fit my personality being there in the off season.
• What did I enjoy the most? Walking along the Seine on a brilliant, sunny, Sunday evening. Wandering around Pere Lachaise with merely a dozen or so other tourists. Seeing the Chartres cathedral for the first time. Coming home and knowing that I now have a warm familiarity of this city that I love so much.
• What did I dislike? Arc du Triomphe and Champs Elysees . . . busy, overcrowded with way too many tourists. Dining out alone at night. I really did feel alone and wished for someone to share memories of the day's adventure with.  Dog poop on the sidewalks. Why don't Parisians pick up after their pups??!!
• What did I wish I would have done? Gone out more at night. Photography is my hobby and I wished I would have done some night photography of the architecture lit up by the famous Parisian floodlights. I was a bit apprehensive being alone and, being under the weather for a good part of my trip, I was pretty exhausted at night.
• As far as speaking the language . . . I have a very minimal French vocabulary but I knew how to ask for tickets and transportation directions. I am very adept at ordering a glass of red wine! I can get by in a restaurant just fine. I know the pleasantries of Bon Jour, Au Revoir, Merci and always Sil Vous Plait. But . . . it was very apparent to the Parisians that I did not speak French as they almost always responded in English.

I may add to these bullets as I reminisce about my time in Paris but for now, this is it. Vive la France!

Day 10 - Musee de Cluny & Final Day in Paris

Final day in Paris . . . woke up sad to know I would have to pack my bag that night. Fittingly, I suppose, today's weather reflected my somewhat somber mood, gray and raining at times. I wasn't really sure how I wanted to spend my final day but I knew the Musee de Cluny was within walking distance from my apartment and is considered one of the most underrated art museums in Paris. The drizzly weather made going to a museum an easy choice.

I took a couple of art history classes in college, I've probably been to more art museums than the average person and I always think I know what I will like but I have to say, I really, really enjoyed this museum, more than I would have ever imagined. Perhaps it's something that comes with age but the more art I see, the more I realize there's just something about art from the Middle Ages that really strikes a chord in me. I can't quite explain it in words (which is, perhaps, what great art is supposed to do: render one speechless). Medieval art is that which was created at the end of antiquity (roughly around 476) and the beginning of the Renaissance (around 1330) and, to over-simplify, it is art that is both secular and religious in nature. The Cluny has a wide variety of both, the most famous of which are The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. I was actually lucky visiting at this time of year as the tapestries had been on loan in Japan up until early November, I believe.

Musee Cluny

Musee Cluny

The Lady and the Unicorn - Musee Cluny

The Lady and the Unicorn - Musee Cluny

The Lady and the Unicorn - Musee Cluny

Musee Cluny

After The Cluny, I decided to wander towards Paris' covered shopping passages which were on my "If I Have Time" list and was also perfect for a rainy day. I'm not a big shopper but these passages were very quaint with independent shops and restaurants and a part of Paris I hadn't seen before.

Paris Passages

Paris Passages 

Hotel Chopin in Paris Passages

Another random item on my list was to photograph the Metro from Bir-Hakeim, one of the very few elevated Metro stations in Paris.

As an aside, I simply love the Metro. Perhaps it's because I live in Seattle and we are woefully behind the times when it comes to public transportation but every time I visit a city with a mass rapid transit system, I'm always in awe and wish we had something similar in Seattle. Although the Metro is old and rife with graffiti in places, I think it is one of the most romantic aspects of the city. More often than not, there are musicians playing in the halls of the stations and every now and then a person playing the accordion will get on the train and it is just oh . . . so . . . French. I'm sure I would tire of it as a local but as a visitor, I'm a sucker for it!

Bir-Hakeim

As the weather began to turn for the worse, I made my way back to St. Germain, had a quick dinner and then back to the apartment to pack my things. Au revoir, Paris!