Paris 2013 - Day Five Happy New Year

Ah - walking Paris streets on a drizzly New Year's Day in the earliest hours of the morning. The weather has been particularly warm this season but temperatures are beginning to edge downward. I don't think we will see any snow this year. At least with the cooler temperatures - we can pull out some of our sweaters!

Happy New Year 2013! Best in health, love and success.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Four Vejus

Verjus restaurant continues to receive rave reviews from the foodies. We decided to give the place a try for New Years Eve. The chef pulled together a creative tasting menu and matched wine to each course. While our seating (scheduled for 10 pm) was almost an hour late - the overall experience was good. This isn't an experience for anyone on a rigid schedule, control of the menu or light wallet. I enjoyed the experience and wouldn't do it again.





Verjus Upstairs restaurant


Verjus Downstairs bar

Location:Paris, France

Canaletto

https://vr.shapeservices.com/listen.php?hash=f1b893b1664e54270f831fcecca21d88cabef32d1b28d81db

Audio from Musee Jacquemart Andre tour in Paris

Opening of Paris Moderne 1940s

https://vr.shapeservices.com/listen.php?hash=ffdbd7bfdda2db36779a3d48c87e5b50233b06cfe7f878e3f

Audio from l'Art en Guerre

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Four Van Gogh

Having just been in Amsterdam - I wasn't too keen on seeing more works by Van Gogh in Paris. This show hosted by the Pinacotheque du Paris was worth every minute of my time. It is titled Van Gogh - Dreaming of Japan and offers a rare look into Japan's Hiroshige influence on Van Gogh's work. The side-by-side comparisons are educational and entertaining.











The two other exhibits in the Pinacotheque de Paris - a collection of private works by the masters (a varied show of some really good artworks that you haven't seen before) and a show of photos from Japan's chaos after the storms (tsunami) in March 2011.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Four Hiroshige

Okay - I will be the first to admit that I wasn't sure about the Pinacotheque de Paris on my first visit a few years ago. They host some outstanding exhibitions of famous artist. My complaint was the museum layout and flow of exhibitions. It is an an odd space and now has expanded to a nearby building with space to host four shows at one time. Impressive. And ... this year - all four shows were well worth a visit.

Utagawa Hiroshige (born 1797) is a famous painter from Japan. He influenced Van Gogh with his scenes and use of color. The exhibit highlights a seeming endless number of his artworks titled l'art du voyage. They are from the late 1800's. The museum offers a very nice exhibition guide in English. Tip: bring a small flashlight to read it. The images are in spectacular shape and lighting to low to preserve them. This is the first exhibition of his work in Paris on loan from the Leiden musem.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 Day Four - Fancy Food

Jacquemart Andre cafe is a fantastic lunch spot during a day of walking Paris or touring the museums. It is a little off the beaten track and much better than most museum dining. They have a solid selection of salads (don't think light or healthy eating here) and quiches. Most run around 17 Euros and a good value for the price evidently by the locals who fill the place quickly.











The dessert cart will make sure you take in ample calories to walk the city.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012- Day Four Canaletto Guardi

Musee Jacquemart-Andre is easily one of my favorite museums in Paris. The mansion is a terrific spot all on its own. You cannot believe how the elite lived in Paris and the homes that they constructed. The museum also host special exhibitions of well know artist. Canaletto painted Venice, Italy and his work is so detailed that you can see the buildings decay. He mastered the use of the La Camera Obscura which allowed for precision in painting. His student Guardi is a master himself. The six rooms upstairs at the museum hold a priceless collection including a couple of privately owned works alongside those owned by the Queen of England.




La Place Saint Marc 1723


La Regate sue le Grand Canal 1732

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Four Lose the 2012

We have two big exhibitions to see on this last day of 2012 and late night reservations for New Year's eve dinner near the Louvre. I think a nap is going to be on the schedule in order for me to keep awake.

Notre Dame has been undergoing some impressive restorations in preparation of its 850 year anniversary. It is a good time to enjoy the structure and statues. I even noticed a few statues for the first time. Temporary bleachers (for a lack of a better word) have been staged in the courtyard in front to the Cathedral. I didn't care for them very much but you certain can get a higher view of the church.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Three Japonais

On our walk home from Petit Pontoise restaurant the other night we passed this nice looking Japonais restaurant named Inagiku. Tonight we decided to give it a try. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I think our cooks were a bit amateur - let's just say a few items toss from the grill surface didn't find their intended destination. OH - that is what the nice cloth bibs are provided to patrons! Several Fixe Prix menus to select from starting at 33 Euros.







Mixed Tempura


Rolls


Fish


Lamb


and Scallops


Sorbet

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Three Holy Moly

One day I am going to hire a docent to take me to every Church in Paris (I wonder how many days that will take?). Mainly so that I can honestly state that I have seen each and every one of them. Today - while walking through the Marais we stumbled (tired not by adult beverage) into Saint-Paul Saint-Louis off Rue du Rivoli/Rue Saint Antoine. It is a lovely cathedral dating back to 1580 and the exterior has been freshly cleaned and painted.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 - Day Three - Shadows

Sometimes you just have to stop taking pictures of Paris and have some fun experimenting and doing something different. Today - with the sunshine you were inspired to do just that.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 Day Three - American in Paris

Mona Bismarck American Center for art and culture occupies a premium spot on the Right Bank immediately across from the Quai Branly and Eiffel Tower. This 25+ year old estate funded by American Mona Bismarck is most recently host to American artist exhibitions. Today we viewed a collection by Mary Cassatt. A nice and simple collection of pastels and prints by the artist. Upstairs gallery hosted a unique fun exhibit of photos playing off the Edward Hopper exhibit at the Grand Palais. Overall - a good stop for about 1 hour after the a longer visit to the Moderne.




The curator was careful in allow us to take pictures of the rooms but not the works as they did not have image reproduction permission.






A fun photo dedication to the work of Edward Hopper's popular works currently showing at the Grand Palais.

Location:Paris, France

Paris 2012/2013 Day Three - Eating Right

The area on the right bank near the Moderne Museum can be an awkward place to find a lunch spot. My suggestion is look no further than Tokyo Eats located adjacent to the museum. It has a Jetson contemporary flare and young modern waitstaff. Overall - the experience is terrific.







Chicken with cashews


Chicken and noodles


Cheese burger (yes, I have to admit I love them in Paris too).

Location:Paris, France