This is my final week in Paris, culminating in Easter Sunday and a flight to Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum.
Monday, 14: Time to get another Metro card, then back to embrace the Louvre. I’ll be missing Robert in a major way, so today I’ll follow Mighty Aphrodite, and the Alexander the Great trail, my nod to love and to a great man. After lunch, I’ll spend quality time with the Greek and Roman statuary, giving myself all the time I want to to sit and sketch. Love to draw those Herculean torsos and the svelte charms of Venus, of course, but I expect to find a few surprises. By now, I will have favorite cafes and restaurant, boulangeries and patisseries. It is my duty to compare éclairs, lemon tarts, and macaroons, and discover new cheeses. I’ll be working on it.
Tuesday, 15: The Louvre is closed and I’ve made a note to revisit my favorite places or those that got dropped or set aside for whatever reason. From my long ago sojourn in Paris I remember going to Fauchon to buy pastry and clay teapots. If the weather is pretty I’ll try for the Luxembourg garden and lunch at La Bastide Odeon 7 rue de Corneille, a friend’s favorite spot. If not, it’s a great day to visit the exquisite Musée Jacquemart-André.
Wednesday, 16: The Louvre is open until 9:45. If my late night visit the first week was magical, or I didn’t manage to stay up that late, I’ll do it today. Otherwise I’ll be wandering in the rooms I’ve not yet seen, perhaps following the European Renaissance trail or Love in the Louvre. The Masterworks audio tour is one I’ve been saving until now. Sometimes I eavesdrop on the fringes of a guided tour, but never too long. Groups seldom spend as long looking as they do listening, and I’m here to see.
Thursday, 17: Hoping for another morning of street market shopping. It’s more of a pastime than a sport for me, but fun to browse, money carefully zipped away. Pickpockets are rampant whenever tourists are distracted. Arts and Crafts themed market, Marche Bastille Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, is open 7am-2:30pm today, and again on Sat. 9am-6pm and Sun. 7am-3pm. It will really depend on the weather. If I loved the Musée D’Orsay, today is the day I’ll return.
Friday, 18: My last day at the Louvre. I’ll just follow my nose, and revisit those works that charmed, disturbed or entranced me. A day of farewells. I’ll start my laundry today, since everything has to be dry before I get on the plane Sunday.
Saturday 19: Last day in Paris, and another day reserved to revisit favorite Paris places. Perhaps seek out an art supply store or a knitting shop, definitely a favorite patisserie. If possible, I will realize my desire to walk across a bridge on a foggy morning. Maybe return to the Marche Bastille Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. At the end of the day, I will pack my bags and prepare to depart for the airport tomorrow
Sunday, 20: It’s Easter Sunday. The bells will ring me out. I’ll call Uber and head to CDG airport, and my flight to Amsterdam, and the glorious Rjiksmuseum. Adieu Paris. Ètre courageux et beau.
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