First, the Musee d'Orsay. A former train station with light streaming through ceiling, a gorgeous collection of art, especially the impressionists.
I always love the Monet...
but seeing Van Gogh's vivid, evocative brushstrokes gives me a new appreciation for his self-portrait. I wish I could say that doppleganger photobomb was intentional, but he wasn't. Just a lucky shot.
He also paints a starry night with a breathtaking sky.
Photos will never capture the magic of these paintings. Degas' Blue Dancers are clothed in such a vibrant shade. They are the first and only thing you see, despite the enormity of the gallery and the rich collection of paintings within.
A break for cappuccino and a lemon tart. The meringue is sweet and airy, the lemon filling is curd-ish and divine. It's one of the best desserts we had this trip, and that includes Laduree!
This is my favorite painting. The illuminated silhouette in total darkness, a piece entitled La Solitude by Alexander Harrison. The tranquility, the all-engulfing silence of this work strikes a powerful chord.
Onward, to the Arc de Triomphe. I passed on climbing it ten years ago, a decision I never stopped regretting. The scale of this structure is ridiculous. It's compensatory like all thing Napoleon, but the detailing and sheer size make it truly grand.
The stairs are quad killers, but show me anything made of stone in Europe that isn't.
The view is amazing. The viewing deck is much more spacious and a lot less crowded than the competing Eiffel Tower.
Paris splays out from this center point, like the spokes of a wheel.
You can even get a shot of Montmarte and Sacre-Coeur.
Skip the Eiffel Tower. If you can only do one, make it the underrated Arc de Triomphe.
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