It was a new day in Paris, our first night a our little hotel room was over, and although we were not used to sleeping in a Queen bed, and although it was not always easy to sleep, we made it through the night and were ready for our first full day in Paris! Here I break it down a little, and show you our room.
The city was quiet that morning, we ate breakfast at a creperie across from the Center de Pompidou. We MAY have over ordered. Karl got a panini. I got a Ham and Cheese crepe…It was ENORMOUS. It was so freaking good.
I had also ordered a sweet-two. While we waited for our sweet crepes, we watched the news. The French President was visiting the Arche De Triumph, visiting the grave of the unknown soldier. Putting a wreath on there. It was Armistice Day, 11/11 at 11:11 remember the cease of arms from the 1st World War.
Sweet crepes arrived. Oh yeah, french food rules.
Since it’s a national holiday, and people were off of work, the line outside the Pompidou was nuts, and it was raining! Thankfully my mom had given us this umbrella as we left. So we had that. It was seriously so rainy. We stood in line for 45 minutes. Poor Karl was freezing.
We got in, with our prepaid ticket, and went right up the famous escalators!! It was so exciting.
After waiting in that long line and go all the way up to the top on the escalators, we were BACK in line again. We were seeing the temporary exhibit of Francis Bacon. Not Sir Francis Bacon, this guys:
It was an exhibit of his later life work, when he was looking like this:
Neither one of us had known much about his work, I had seen this one:
The Screaming Pope.
This one was GENTLE compared to what was to come.
We read about his life and time line as we waited
Then we entered the exhibit.
The Francis Bacon exhibit was overwhelming and bare and upsetting and emotional. I am very glad that we saw it, yet if I never looked at any of the pieces again I would be fine. He was said to be influenced by Picasso. I see much of Salvador Dali. Not beautiful, but thought provoking. |
It was a relief to be out of there. It made me question my love of art.
The view from the top of the Pompidou was beautiful.
We went on to see the permanent collection. Karl kept saying that the guys in the Bacon exhibt looked like Lucha Libre, then we actually found a Luchador in the permanent exhibit. They had so many famous artist represented, like Picasso.
Another crazy thing, I have THIS print in my house! Maryn gave it to me, and Aunt Kathy gave it to her, and got to see the original!! I love this painting.
There were so many Kandinsky’s.
This one by Kupka was one of my favorite from the day.
And this famous Chagall!
Always need a goat!
The outdoor sculpture collection had a lovely view.
Karl.
It was a pretty great place. One of those places I have heard about for so long, SO thankful we were able to visit.