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The Louvre & farewell dinner in Paris

September 19, 2014 – Friday – The Louvre, Paris, France

Rick Steves Best of Europe in 21 Days tour

After breakfast in the hotel, we take the Metro to see The Louvre this morning. After connecting with our guide Vincent shortly after 9AM, we walk through the expansive foyer and through security. The place is huge, so Vincent has selected some highlights for us, and has also included some of his personal favourites, since we only have a couple of hours.

The Mona Lisa is not too impressive, and we can’t get close to it since there is such a crush of people in the gallery. We have better luck seeing the Venus de Milo (Aphrodite) statue, although both galleries are known to be frequented by pickpockets. I’m thankful that Vincent is guiding us through the endless galleries, since I’m really not into museums, per se. The crowds are hard to cope with, even at this early hour – many are loud, rude, and pushy.

As with the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, I find the display of wealth stolen by Napoleon and the Louis dynasty to be completely over the top. Despite my negative feelings, The Louvre is a place that needs a return visit. I have a feeling that spending a day in the less popular galleries would be more rewarding than our quick visit. After taking a coffee break in the foyer mall, we return to our hotel using the Paris Metro on our own.

Jennifer toasts at our farewell dinner
Jennifer toasts at our farewell dinner

Our group’s farewell dinner is held at La Terrasse du 7ème restaurant, which is only a couple of blocks away from our hotel. The meal is wonderful, and the wine is very nice. We start with Kir, which is a cocktail made with crème de cassis (black current liquor) and white wine, and then we have a three course dinner. We finish our farewell on the rooftop patio with some bubbly…a lovely way to end things and say our goodbyes.

Louvre
38 photos
The Louvre's glass pyramid
The Louvre’s glass pyramid
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Joggers under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Joggers under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Equine statutory on top of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Equine statutory on top of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Inverted pyramid in the main underground entrance to the Louvre
Inverted pyramid in the main underground entrance to the Louvre
Purple Porphyry stone tub, statue & columns
Purple Porphyry stone tub, statue & columns
Captif ("l'Esclave mourant")
Captif (“l’Esclave mourant”)
Our group looking up in the Louve
Our group looking up in the Louve
Painting: Bonaparte Crossing the Alps - 1848
Painting: Bonaparte Crossing the Alps – 1848
Painting: Ingres, Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral
Painting: Ingres, Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral
Painting: La Femme au miroir. Vers 1515
Painting: La Femme au miroir. Vers 1515
Crush of people in front of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Crush of people in front of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Painting: Saint Jean Baptiste - Bacchus
Painting: Saint Jean Baptiste – Bacchus
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by Leonardo da Vinci
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by Leonardo da Vinci
Sign: Portrait d'Antinous en Osiris
Sign: Portrait d’Antinous en Osiris
Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon & Josephine in Notre Dame
Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon & Josephine in Notre Dame
The Winged Victory of Samothrace aka the Nike of Samothrace
The Winged Victory of Samothrace aka the Nike of Samothrace
Decorated ceiling
Decorated ceiling
Gold decorated ceiling
Gold decorated ceiling
Gold decorated ceiling
Gold decorated ceiling
Silver goblets - Aiguiere Sardoine, 1665
Silver goblets – Aiguiere Sardoine, 1665
Gold decorated ceiling
Gold decorated ceiling
The Louvre plaza and glass pyramid
The Louvre plaza and glass pyramid
Cameo of Augustus - agate , rock crystal, marble, gold, gilt bronze and enamel
Cameo of Augustus – agate , rock crystal, marble, gold, gilt bronze and enamel
Metal sculpture of a boy standing
Metal sculpture of a boy standing
Ancient Greek gold jewellry
Ancient Greek gold jewellry
Metal door of the nineteenth century in the Chapel Room, Sully wing
Metal door of the nineteenth century in the Chapel Room, Sully wing
Ornate painted ceiling
Ornate painted ceiling
Tapestry set of the "Life of Louis XIV"
Tapestry set of the “Life of Louis XIV”
One of a pair of cabinets on stands, 1690-1710
One of a pair of cabinets on stands, 1690-1710
"Hermaphrodite endormi" -  - ancient Roman marble sculpture
“Hermaphrodite endormi” – – ancient Roman marble sculpture
"Les Trois Grâces" - The Three Graces - ancient Roman sculpture
“Les Trois Grâces” – The Three Graces – ancient Roman sculpture
Our guide Vincent describing the exhibits to us
Our guide Vincent describing the exhibits to us
Aphrodite, known as the "Venus de Milo"
Aphrodite, known as the “Venus de Milo”
Huge Arabic ceramic tile
Huge Arabic ceramic tile
Little metal bird - Faucon brule-parfum - incense burner
Little metal bird – Faucon brule-parfum – incense burner
Display cases
Display cases
A cherub carved into a big door outside the Louve
A cherub carved into a big door outside the Louve