Paris when it drizzles

I’m sure most people know the song “I love Paris” and the singer is telling the listeners that he loves the city any time, even ”in the winter when it drizzles, in the summer when it sizzles..”. We’re now in the fall and it’s drizzling, and out and out raining for parts of the day.

But it’s okay. It’s still Paris and the changing light and clouds make for beautiful photography. I was ready for possibly inclement weather with newly waterproofed puffy coat , waterproof shoes and umbrella.

Friday was also the beginning of a three-day weekend and people are cramming into metro stations with carry on bags, ready to flee for a short holiday. There are lots of European travelers here. Monday November 1 is a national holiday and although some stores will open, many will be closed.

Armed with my brand new Navigo easy card, I hit the streets. Down to the metro!

I decided to go to Fondation Cartier to see fhe Damien Hirst exhibit.

This museum specializes in contemporary art. In its present incarnation, it was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and completed in 1994, moving from the outskirts near Versailles. It is made of glass and has a garden, which brings the outside in. The building appears to be a work of art in and of itself. I’ve been there before. My friend Allan was a big fan of Jean Nouvel and we visited the structure on our last visit.

The original building was built in 1984 at the bequest of Alain Dominique Perrin, then president of the French jewelry and watch manufacturer Cartier international, to highlight established artists, encourage the young just starting out and raise public awareness about the importance and impact of modern art.

The Damien Hirst exhibit called The Cherry Blossoms is his first in France. The entire museum was taken over for his 26 giant sized paintings, which show the juxtaposition between the reality of nature with abstraction. At first glance I found these paintings unimpressive until I really started looking at the depth and detail. Then I was fascinated. I found impressionism, pointillism, humor and depth in each work.

After seeing both floors of paintings and checking out the well-stocked bookstore, I made my way to the wet garden. Fortunately it was not raining.

After having my fill of art, hunger took over and I scurried to find a local place in the neighborhood for a late lunch. I ended up at a cozy place on the boulevard Raspail, where I had a tasty lemon pasta with veggies and a glass of wine. I would have dessert halfway through my walk home.

It’s quite a long walk, but in theory, I figured I’d just walk up boulevard Raspail until it hits the Seine, or perhaps turn when I see a sign for the Orsay museum, walk through the Tuileries by the Louvre and head back via the Place de la Concorde. Easy.

And it was. However, the wind and rain also came. I survived. I also saw some cool stuff. Love the cafés and window decor.

As I was wandering through streets leading up to the Orsay and heading to the Tuileries, I saw more people. I was getting back into civilization!

I saw the rue de Rivoli. I saw cafés. I saw people. Time for a dessert and a rest!

Yes, coffee ice cream is my favorite, any time. This is called Café liégeois. I
also found some good people-watching. It was interesting that no one asked for my passe sanitaire in either restaurant but I did need it to get into the museum.

I was rested and ready to take the last trek, skirting the Place de la Concorde and heading up to the Madeleine.

Corporate sponsorship is helping to spruce up the city! Merci, Oréal!

Finally home. Time for rest and kitty care. I walked 13,179 steps!