le Louvre

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The Louvre used to be a fortress before a big palace.
We decided to go on a DIY Masterpiece tour. There are all sorts of thematic trails you can follow from their website.

The Mona Lisa or La Jaconde (in french).
The boys didn't get what's so special about this painting.

Venus de Milo

Crown Jewels from Napoleon

The Winged Victory of Samathrace or 'Nike' in Greek

The Raft of Medusa.

Doug knelt down to point out the ship off in the distance to the boys. There were a lot of people taking their pictures. I guess they thought it was nice to have a father instructing his sons in art appreciation.

The Coronation of Napoleon I and the Crowning Empress Josephine in Notre Dame

The boys really liked the Ancient Egypt..

The Louvre is absolutely gigantic. There is no way anyone could do it in a day. Plus, while it is a very beautiful building, it is very easy to get lost. Even with a map. The boys claim that they never want to go back, but that may have had something to do with the fact that we went in the evening after a long day at school. We'll see. Maybe we'll go back someday and find something cool for them to draw.

la Musée de la Poupée

Today I went to the Musée de la Poupée (the Doll Museum). I went with one of my friend's daughters because there was no way anyone in my household would go with me. Timmy had to go by default, and he was not happy. (maybe he wasn't happy because he was stuck in his stroller, but he wiggled and screamed pretty much the whole time). It was a very small museum with many dolls from the late 1700's and 1800's. They were all french dolls, and very pretty. I could picture some little royalty girl playing with these. There was also a display of more modern dolls and their...um...shall we say outfits. Although they reminded me of a Victoria Secret magazine. Imagine the pouty over make-upped models made into a Barbie like doll. (kind of like Bratz) and then having a bunch of totally inappropriate outfits. Apparently there are different displays from time to time and maybe it would be nice to go back when there are the old fashioned Santa dolls around Christmastime.

Close to the Doll Museum is the Centre Pompidou with all its modern art. Here are some of the fountains. (if you have ever watched "French in Action" you will recognize these.Then down the street from the Centre Pompidou is the Hotel de Ville. We stopped and got some pastries and sat down by the fountains. I then let Timmy run free.