A Day at the D’Orsay
Bonjour,
The Shorys began their Friday with a morning tour of Le Palais Garnier and then joined us for lunch at Musée d’Orsay on the river. As most of you know, the museum was originally a train station and was magnificently repurposed by the French into a Parisian treasure in December, 1986 by President François Mitterrand. It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post impressionist masterpieces in the world. If you like Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir…this is your place. Impressionism was completely snubbed by Le Louvre which proved to be a big mistake!
“The Restaurant” tucked away on the second floor (which many never find) is elegant, impressive, and has delicious, affordable food. It is a reference to French tradition with frescoes by Gabriel Ferrier and Benjamin Constant lining the ceilings of the grand dining room and its salon. It is, however, only accessible with a museum ticket. We lucked out with a playful waiter and just had a marvelous lunch.
Here’s the aftermath which the waiter loved!!
Our focus for this visit was to see a special exhibit featuring Manet and Degas. It was jammed and a bit hard to get photos that weren’t blurred or full of people. Here’s a taste. If you’re not into this kind of thing, maybe best to drop off this blog post and wait for tomorrow’s!
I must make full disclosure that I much prefer Manet’s works to those of Degas. What about you? Don’t forget to look out the windows at the d’Orsay for some beautiful shots of Paris.
Hats off to Michele as she is so well-versed in all things cultural and spent a lot of time instructing Izzy on the particulars of these two artists. She soaked it up like a sponge.
Bill is Lebanese and found us a lively spot on the Left Bank near St. Michele for Lebanese cuisine…different but very good. Today we off to the big Flea Market and then Pére Lachaise. Where are those Wheaties?
L & B
June 17, 2023 @ 11:31 am
Linda , love love reading your blogs !!! I have a question to you need to reserve to go eat at the musee de orsay restaurant? It’s gorgeous inside and I’ve always wanted to go . Love the photos enjoy flea market shopping 🛍️ oh la la
June 17, 2023 @ 7:31 pm
They don’t take reservations so sometimes a long queue. Opens at 11:45.
June 17, 2023 @ 1:34 pm
Good luck at the flea market.
June 17, 2023 @ 4:33 pm
I was going to let it pass, but I can’t. In the picture of Izzy showing how she ate her salad; she seems to be saying:
“Get me a McDonalds – FAST!” or she’s trying to tell us that she’s being held hostage and needs help. If that’s the case tell her to wink and pull on her ear at the same time. We’ll call neuf un un.
June 17, 2023 @ 7:29 pm
Not at all. She’s a vegetarian and has loved the food and eaten it up with gusto!
June 17, 2023 @ 5:32 pm
Agree about Manet over Degas. What is the name of the left bank Lebanese restaurant? Thanks in advance.
June 17, 2023 @ 7:28 pm
L’Olivier’s or something close.
June 17, 2023 @ 7:47 pm
We ate lunch at the museum last year when visiting our granddaughter. It was one of my favorite meals- light, vegetarian, and pretty on the plate. Thanks for reminding me if we get back to Paris.
June 19, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
I didn’t know that bill was Lebanese. I’m Lebanese-American as well. I will have to talk with him about that.
What is Lebanese ice cream?
June 19, 2023 @ 3:20 pm
https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/where-to-eat-in-paris/brunch-cafe-tea-time/articles/250426-bachir-and-the-delicious-organic-lebanese-ice-creams-in-paris
June 19, 2023 @ 7:05 pm
Somehow I missed this when you sent it. I am so glad I ran across it again, loved it! Yes, Manet much more accessible than Degas – love Olympia – I think I wrote a paper on that one time – and Le Balcon best. Thank you!!!!!