Top THREE Must-Sees at the Louvre!
Welcome Back Everyone!
I hope you all enjoyed the last few months wherever you are located around the world, and some of you were able to travel — perhaps to Paris and France?
The Olympics were enrapturing non? What did you think of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies?
Even watching them on TV, I was transported by the creativity and the energy.
We may not see the likes of them again in our lifetimes!
So onward…
On my most recent trip to Paris, I decided it was time to go back to the Louvre!
I was surprised and a little ashamed to realize that it had been 50 years (and dozens of trips) since I had last paid a visit to the Musée du Louvre, which is the city’s most visited tourist attraction other than the Eiffel Tower of course.
Le Louvre In Paris
The line-up first thing in the morning! People with tickets.
Like many tourists, it was first on my list of things to see on my initial visit to Paris, and I remember it well.
I remember being overwhelmed.
It was too big.
There were too many people.
I finally found Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and despaired at how tiny the painting was (77 by 53 cm/30.3 by 20.8 inches ).
I was in no hurry to go back.
Note: The Louvre has 500,000 objects and displays; 35,000 works of art in eight curatorial departments; with more than 60,600 m2(652,000 sq ft) dedicated to the permanent collections.
The Louvre is a labyrinth of corridors and steps.
I took a smarter approach this time.
I mapped out where to find the Top THREE Works of Art that I wanted to see and study, and if others caught my eye en route, so be it. (Plenty did but I will not share those with you in this blog. That would also be overwhelming!)
So, here they are. Luckily all are relatively close to each other in the museum.
Cupid’s Kiss
by Antonio Canova (1787)
Room 4, Ground Floor,
Denon Wing
By far this marble statue by the Venetian Italian Neoclassical sculptor, Antonio Canova called “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss” is now my personal favourite.
It depicts a story from the 2nd century AD in which the god, Cupid, revives the lifeless Psyche, a princess, with a kiss. Cupid’s mother, Venus, jealous of Psyche’s beauty, schemes to be rid of her rival, and the long and the short of it is that Pysche falls into a death-like sleep and Cupid scuppers his mother’s plan by falling in with Pysche and coming to her rescue.
If you have ever seen the statue of David in Florence, this sculpture is equally transfixing. Originally, it was supposed to pivot so that one could stand still and admire all sides. Instead, one is compelled to slowly walk around to admire the complexity and raw nakedness of every angle.
The marble is translucent and sensual and one is tempted to stroke it but of course that is a no-no.
I found it utterly mesmerizing.
Couldn’t resist this view from behind (pun intended).
Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci (1503-1506)
Room 711, 1st floor,
Denon Wing
The Mona Lisa. It takes time to get close enough. I had to be patient.
I was expecting to be disappointed again when I saw the tiny Mona Lisa. The crowds were larger and the Italian Renaissance painting is now protected behind both a railing and a clear partition. However, as I inched closer I was overcome by the feeling that this is one of the world’s greatest pieces of art and I was lucky enough to see it.
You may know that the painting was stolen in 1911 but then found and returned to the Louvre two years later and is now under heavy security.
She was a real person and her full name was either Lisa Maria Gherardini, Lisa del Giocondo or just Monna Lisa.
When I had a clear sighting, with no one in front of me, I parked myself as close as one is allowed for a few minutes, blocking out the buzz of other tourists jostling for their moment with her.
It was hard not to be moved by its magnificence. No wonder Mona is smiling.
A photo does not compare to seeing the real thing!
Venus de Milo
Armless Venus de Milo’s upper torso.
Save the Date
Wednesday, October 2nd
12:30 pm ET/9:30 am Pacific
/6:30 pm Paris/5:30 pm London
The French Ingredient!
with Jane Bertch
Join me and my guest Jane Bertch who will take us to Paris and her French Cooking School called La Cusine de Paris! Jane is still surprised that she was able to snare that name!
Not a chef nor a cook, Jane was in the banking industry when she fell in love with Paris and decided the city could use a cooking school for tourists and visitors who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home.
Predictably, Bertch faced the nay-saying French—”how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?”, as well as real-estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients. But she has persevered and thrived.
Jane has also recently published her fascinating memoir called The French Ingredient and we will get to hear her story, the interesting things she has learned along with some tips on cooking French — oh yum.
Save the date and here is the link to register! CLICK HERE!
NOTE: Annual Paris Fan Club Members, you will be automatically subscribed 10 days prior to the event!
Read the Book!
Special Note: You can buy Jane’s book on my Paris Book Club Page — CLICK HERE!
Quarterly Paris Fan Club
Giveaway Draw!
It’s time once again for our Paris Fan Club Giveaway Draw. This is exclusive to Level 2 (Croissant) and Level 3 (Pain au Chocolat) Paris Fan Club Members.
In the last draw, June’s winner won a beautiful handbag from Kate Spade.
This month’s draw is for this lovely Paris Map Scarf and Bamboo Pashima along with a pretty pink Journal and Pen! (Gifts Total Retail $110). All perfect to take on your next trip to Paris!
I will announce the WINNER of the draw in the next blog.
Giveaway Scarf — Black on Cream
A full map of Paris embossed on the scarf!
A la prochaine mes amis!
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womanofacertainageinparis.com
Diana Bishop the founder of The Success Story Program and A Woman of a Certain Age in Paris as well as a well-known correspondent with over 25 years working for CTV, CBC News, and NBC News. She loves travel, writing, and all things Parisienne.
Unfortunately, the hordes of people waiting to enter the Louvre put me off – and I never had a chance to look inside at all that priceless art. Glad you had patience!!!