Sunday August 25,2019
Charles De Gaulle Airport, France
Another Beautiful Morning
After Sandra took off on her 1200km challenge, I took an uber to Paris to spend 2.5 days there monitoring Sandra's progress while in Paris. Debated whether to stay in Clairfountaine or not, and decided after talking to Parisians, it would be better for me to be in Paris because a) don't have a car b) more trains to the control points that I can get to if need be and c) its Paris!. And who said Paris in August is boring?? I thoroughly enjoyed staying in the middle of Paris in August because there were not many crowds. Yes, many restaurants and small boutiques were closed and Louvre is still impossible to get a ticket at the same day, but there were still many things to do. Unfortunately, one of the museums I really wanted to go to - Carnavalet- which was highly recommended by my friends who know Paris very well, was closed for renovation.
I arrived Sunday evening, so ended up getting room services and checking work email, and started tracking Sandra the first night. The next day, woke up early and met a work colleague for a breakfast meeting near Sacre Couer. It was a beautiful and slightly chilly morning. Unfortunately, I could not get my French Omelet as the chef of the brasserie was on vacation so just had a typical French breakfast of a baguette with cafe au last. After the breakfast, I walked the 3 km or so to Musee Cluny, which was on my list to see the infamous Lady and the Unicorn tapestry. I am so glad I saw it, it was beautiful and whimsical. I don't know how long it took to make the tapestries but it is considered one of the greatest works of art in the Middle Ages in Europe. It is definitely worth seeing.
Sacre Couer
Signts from the walk I took from Sacre Couer to Musee Cluny on the left bank. Meat being delivered
The architecture in Paris is AMAZING!! I've been here many times and never get tired of it
Musee de Cluny is housed where the old Roman baths were. The baths were surprising in good shape when discovered so they built a museum around it. I'm always amazed how sophisticated the culture was during those times.
Some wall stone carvings that are well preserved in the baths
Arguably the most famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestry. There are six that depict taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch. This one is about touch and love. I loved this one
Details of the tapestry. the main of the unicorn looked so pillowy, soft and real. All this was done by hand!
After spending obout 2.5 hours in the museum, I went to the famous Duex Magots Brasserie where Hemmingway used to hand out. Had their special chicken for lunch which did not disappoint. I then stopped at Le Grand Epicerie which is one of my favorite places in Paris to shop for food and wine and then walked back to the hotel. I did over 20000 steps and about 10 miles that day. Paris is definitely a city to be explored by foot.
Walking back from the Le Grand Epicerie, I walked by Place de la Concorde
and Madeleine where my hotel is located
Ended the day with Chateau Beycheville St Julien which was my Dad's favorite
Day 2 started with a nice breakfast at the hotel with delicious coffee. As the Carnavalet was closed decided to go to the Picasso Museum which was just renovated and recommended by Sandra. In the meantime, Sandra was making good time with bike race. She just did about 300 km through the night. They had a special exhibit with Alexander Calder - the American sculptor - known for his kinetic mobiles. The Picasso- Calder exhibit got rave reviews and is a must see exhibit if you are in Paris this month and next. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit very much. Apparently both Calder and Picasso were good friends and had tremendous respect for each other.
Calder's whimsical mobile of Josephine Baker
Picasso's portrait of Francoise Gilot - I had the fortune of meeting her in the late 90s. Very nice and charming lady
And of Dora Maar
I liked this painting of the South of France. Liked the blue hues
The Garden at Musee Picasso. I sat here for about 30 minutes. Very relaxing
Then I did the long walk back to the hotel, but stopped at Brasserie Vivienne located on Rue Petit Champs Elysees, where I had a delicious and fresh green bean salad and pasta with truffles in a creme source (so rich!).
Chateau Beycheville from 120 euros to 2000 euros!
French Oysters at Le Grand Epicerie
The next day, before heading out to Clairfountaine, I walk along the Champs Elysees and with the goal of going to Le Grand Epicerie again to buy a gourmet prepared food to celebrate Sandra's accomplishment. By now she completed over 600km and is in good shape. Had major challenges the first 1/3 of the ride due to strong headwinds but she persevered!
Crossing to the bridge to the left bank
Got a great view of the Eiffel tower
While looking for a place to have a late lunch, I found an alleyway where Michelin star chefs have an outposts. I went to Allenotheque
and had a fabulous lunch of steak and a strawberry melba for dessert, with a niche glass of bordeaux.
Headed back to the hotel, got organized and then took an uber to Clairfountaine. Sandra is on track to finish the race tomorrow morning, so looking forward to celebrating her accomplishment!!
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