This was the day to gird our loins (however one does that) and make our way to the Louvre - a 4-day Museum Pass is worth its weight in gold, as we simply breezed through the north entrance, aka the Passage Richelieu, and down into the I.M. Pei-designed Pyramide - it is a very dramatic space that is understandably controversial when looked at in context with the architecture that surrounds it.
As we had not set foot in the Louvre in our 2007 visit to Paris, we vowed to brave the masses and see as many of the iconic masterworks as we possibly could - and we did. Just a glimpse of one of the parade of greatest hits the Louvre houses:
Add the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and 24 Rubens murals in their own special room, and you get an overwhelming exhibition of not only great art but unbelievably opulent architecture - each expansion of the royal palace tried to top the last. Even the exterior is a gallery of amazing sculptures:
We were also stunned at the elegant subterranean shopping/food court that has been added to the west end of the Louvre, called the Carrousel. So much has changed since I visited 30 years ago!
As tired as we after the Louvre, we decided to take on Notre Dame Cathedral as well since it was generally on our way back to the hotel. We enjoyed sitting inside and outside this magnificent edifice, and Peter took a photo which presents a less common portrait of its grandeur:
As you can see, the weather also rallied after the rain to produce a lovely, cool and sunny day!
Sending our love from the sumptuous and spacious lobby of our hotel:
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