Villa Savoye

This was a very interesting excursion.  Took the RER to Poissy about an hour ride outside Paris to visit Villa Savoye.  

Built by Le Corbusier in 1928 as a weekend country home it is now owned by Le Centre des Monuments Nationaux a branch of the French government which conserves, restores and manages historic buildings. 

The style of Le Corbusier’s era aspired to represent the machine age.  New construction techniques were based on the use of concrete, steel and glass.

A very interesting place.   Because it was a very sunny day the light inside the house reflecting on the angels and curves was amazing.  Well worth the long ride to see it

Our last week

Sadly this will be our last full week in Paris. Francois has left for Compiegne. I have two more excursions to fit in before he returns on Thursday. Piglet has his last bouquet of roses....

I will pack up our things soon as Thursday morning I will meet with the owner of our little studio to finalize details and move across the street to our new home for the last four days of our trip.

This has been the most positive experience living on 29 rue de la Parcheminerie. We had so little time to find accommodations. We had to make a decision about this place sight-unseen (just a few pictures from the agency`s site). We had to commit to a contract of a 22 day rental with deposit submitted by paypal in advance. Surprisingly my deposit has already been returned to our credit card.

From beginning to end Thierry you have been the best to deal with - always responding to my questions, helping me with details. I question whether indeed you do ever sleep. We have recommended your agency to the other foreign officers who were in envy of this beautiful studio (compared to their tiny hotel rooms, in some cases at a much higher price). http://www.parisbestlodge.com/ will remain at the top our go-to list should we be lucky enough to visit Paris again.

Thanks also to Bernard who provided this charming place - so pleasingly and comfortably decorated - truly a gentleman of good taste. And special thanks to Maria who discreetly came and went each week leaving the place spotless and polished.

You have all contributed in making this a memorable stay.

One more thing for Monday...National Maritime Museum

It was a day of a lot of walking – a really enjoyable day but after several hours on our feet (yesterday wasn’t a light one either), our backs and feet were feeling it.

This is me on a very long set of stairs leaving the Pont de Bir Hakeim.  Picture worth a million words, non?

As we were still in the area of the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero and yet were getting a bit thirsty and hungry AND since Francois was really interested in seeing the Musée de la Marine we headed back in the direction of Trocadero Square.  Stopped in the surrounding gardens, finished the second sandwich and mini Bollinger and headed up to the museum.

As an added bonus there was also a special and very impressive exhibition to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the construction of the ocean liner S.S France. ( an added bit of history: http://www.gjenvick.com/HistoricalBrochures/Steamships-OceanLiners/FrenchLine-CGT/1912-PaquebotFrance.html )

The permanent exhibits in the museum were also very impressive going into great detail with models and other displays demonstrating navigational evolution from the early 17^th century to present day.

Francois is trying to decide on which model kit of which ship to bring or send back to Canada so he can construct it during his ‘retirement’.  Notice the parenthesis?

And for you racing enthusiasts... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Verne_Trophy 

Day over....whew!!!!!

More Monday - Eiffel Tower - and our dream within a dream....

Reconnaissance complete we headed for one other commitment that we had for the day.  A promise to Julia and Gabriel to post a picture of us in front of the Eiffel Tower.  So here you go kids!.....This one’s for you.....

The whole area in and around the Eiffel Tower was wall to wall people.  Line-ups to tour the Tour were crazy long. This was a close as we wanted to be.

So we went on to visit the Pont de Bir Hakeim.....

This next part is interesting. See if any of the following pictures look familiar .....

....a dream within a dream within a dream....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjaiUJd81So&feature=youtube_gdata_player 

...so please don`t wake us up, our 'kick' will come soon enough....

The rest of Monday

So, on with the rest of our day.  Still beautiful and sunny.  Hardly a cloud in the sky.  Not too hot. Not too humid.

There will be a graduation ceremony at the Military School this Friday so Francois being the careful organized person he is thought we should do a little reconnaissance as I (the directionally challenged one) will be going there by myself (the others have to be on site early in the morning for a ceremony at the Arc de Triumph). 

After our picnic we headed in the direction of the school so I could familiarize myself with the metro stops near the École Militaire.  My invitation even gives a detailed map showing where to go once inside ‘THE WALL’.  I will NOT be allowed inside without my invitation and I will NOT be allowed in after 11:00. So, canNOT get lost and gotta be there on time!!!!!

Stopped at a pleasant cafe across from the school fittingly called Café des Officiers....

A panaché of ginger beer and lemonade – very refreshing!

Then Francois gave me a private tour within ‘THE WALL’. ...

Beautiful old  historical site so they are limited to what upgrades are allowed but very little money available for restorations.

Mess des Officiers

I even snuck into the horse stable (shh...AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY). 

What beautiful animals!

IN THE SPIRIT OF REMEMBRANCE

Today was designated as Francois’ day to do whatever he wished.  I have been lucky to make so many appealing choices throughout our visit but Francois because of commitments has had precious few.

There were a few things on his wish list for today but of prime importance was to visit the place where is father Jacques’ ashes were scattered a few years ago.

So we began the day at our favourite local (and very authentic) boulangerie (interestingly named `Boulangerie de Papa`)  for a café au lait and fresh croissant (you have to get up really early to be able to snag one of their unbelievably delicious almond croissants and unfortunately we were too late, again). 

 At this time of day they also have freshly made sandwiches (our choice was smoked ham, cheese and tomato on the most perfect French bread).  I had purchased two mini bottles of Bollinger a few days ago in preparation for today so we headed off toward the Isle Saint-Louis for our picnic.

Isle Saint-Louis is a place where Jacques spent a good deal of his life and where his ashes were scattered at a special place along the River Seine.   

Here, there is a beautiful tree – very unique in shape where Francois and his brothers said goodbye to their father.  It`s artistic form is somehow in keeping with what little I know of the person he was – artistically talented, a man with excellent taste,  a man who appreciated fine things.

It`s also a popular spot for people to come to sit and talk – a very peaceful setting – so we came early enough to have it to ourselves for a while.

While we were here a few years ago – it was late winter / early spring and the tree was bare of leaves - there was a dove perched in the tree during our visit.  Today there was a dove perched in the tree (couldn`t possibly have been the same dove but with all the pigeons around why just one dove in this particular tree again).

It flew down to the river edge....

....flew back to the tree, stayed just long enough for Francois to get pictures then flew away.

We sat quietly for a while longer, ate some lunch, drank some Champagne.

It was all good.

Les Invalides

One of the French professors at the school is also a military historian who teaches at one of the universities in Paris.  Colonel Brun invited whoever was interested to join him for another tour of Les Invalides, Sunday. 

Francois asked if I could join and what an experience it was! It was a small group made up of two Swiss officers, the Canadian, two Germans, one American and the Austrian professor and of course Francois and me.  

Colonel Brun throughout the tour described in great detail the evolution of armour, weapons and tactics (not only how but why) from the early middle ages right through to the World Wars - of course because these are artillery reservists the focus was primarily on the evolution of the weapons .  He was so animated about what he was describing and spoke so clearly I was captivated for the full (almost) four hours. Toward the end we noticed that he had also attracted several other visitors to our group – no doubt appreciating the detail of his interesting discourse. 

 

We all met after at a Bistro for a glass of something then minus Colonel Brun and one of the Swiss we headed out for something to eat after which Francois invited ‘the guys’ back to our place for a night cap.  A really fun evening all round.