All The Art You Can Handle 7/15/09

So, I knew that the Louvre was big- but I had no concept how big. It is huge! And there is so much to see, that it is impossible to do in one trip- at least with being in a sane state of mind. So we divided it up into 3 sessions over 2 days. In between we got out and saw other cool things. This picture if of the Great Hall in the Louvre- where some of the most famous pieces of art of all time are located.

The famous pyramids of the Lourvre- can't help but think of DaVinvi Code

Rick holding up the Louvre

This was the most empty we ever saw it- first thing in the AM and on the very top floor

The Louvre was the former royal palace- so it is extremely ornate. This was the living area of Napoleon III

Lisa in Babylon

Code of Hammurabi- the first written legal code

Both of our favorite parts of the Louvre was the beautiful Greek and Roman statues

First lunch break- eating out in the Jardin

Notre Dame- the most visited attraction in Paris. It was absolutely awesome.

The Rose Window

Those famous flying buttresses

The Conciergrie- a former palace that was converted into the main prison during the French Revolution- many famous prisoners, including Marie Antoinette and Robespierre

Marie Antoinette's cell- recreated with a tapestry that supposedly originally hung in her cell

Chapelle Church- the former private church of the King- wall to wall stained glass. Each section of the windows represents a different book in the Bible- telling the stories through the picture. It was the most beautiful church we saw by far.

Rick in front of Pont Nuef- the oldest bridge in Paris

Hello Louis XIV- nice tights

Back to the Louvre, in the Ancient Egyptian section

One of the most famous residents of the Louvre- the Venus de Milo

My absolute favorite sculpture- Winged Victor. It was awesome to see these priceless pieces of art in real life.

Rick with his favorite artist and scientist- DaVinci

The most visited, and most disappointing, pieces- the Mona Lisa. I say disappointing because there is all this anticipation in seeing it, then it is behind 4 feet of glass, and you have to stand about 15 feet away- a little anti-climactic

But we at least got to see that famous smile