12 July 2010
The Louvre
My typical tourist experience continues, with a visit to the Louvre. They dont have any climate control which is surprising, it was very hot in there and I would imagine that would be bad for the artwork.
It was really crowded and noisy, but the worst bit is the tourist groups, I cant think of anything sadder than following around a guy with a flag whilst you all wear matching hats and he blows a whistle when its time for you to move to the next room.
As a museum, its quite overwhelming but a lot of it is the same, a kilometre of rooms with paintings becomes just more paintings after a while. I think I prefer the London museums, also the London ones are free, the Louvre costs about 10 euros.
Heres my 'free' hotel breakfast. All hotels I could find in Paris come with breakfast which is unusual. Given the choice I would always opt to not get breakfast in the hotel rate so I can eat some place different each day, but since I have paid for it I might as well use it.
Breakfast is more than one course.
On the way to the train I spotted this weapons shop. They are selling AK47's and modern assault rifles right in the window.
This is the main entrance to the Louvre in the pyramid, as you can see its an apple store, way to go apple, excellent commercialization of an 1000 year old museum.
There are many statues, most of the penises have fallen off. I have noticed this in many museums.
A typical room full of paintings, all the old masters are represented.
The ceilings in many of the rooms are decorated as such.
The massive courtyard with the new pyramid underground entry that ties the 3 areas of the museum together.
I photograph the photographers.
They are of course photographing the mona lisa. You cant get anywhere near it and its a pretty small painting, I dont get the big deal over it there are far more impressive paintings of castles being melted by lava with demons stabbing virgins. But everyones interested in an ugly old chick with no eyebrows.
Yo Dawg, we heard you like painting, so we did a painting of you painting a painting and stuck it in a room full of paintings.
I found this ceiling particularly impressive.
Now I am in the stuff stolen from Egypt by Napoleon section. This is Osiris or Merenptah or similar.
A whole family of corpse boxes.
This indoor area was pretty nice, but so hot under the glass.
Looking through the pyramid.
Spanish people are pretty pleased with themselves.
I swung past Notre Dame after the Louvre, which is on an island in the Seine. I like to pronounce it like the Americans do because it infuriates people.
There is graffiti everywhere in Paris, especially on any sort of public service or work vehicle. I am not sure if this one is vandalism or not.
Heres my lunch, similar to yesterday, but note the delicious slice of cherry tart I have incorporated.