Claude Monet at the Parc Monceau.

I wanted to see where Claude Monet stood as he painted a series of three paintings of Park Monceau in the spring of 1876. So, 134 years after Monet, I walked to Park Monceau (which is not too far from my apartment).

The beautiful park was established by Phillippe d'Orléans, Duke of Chartres. He bought the land in 1769 and employed Louis Carrogis Carmontelle to design the gardens in the informal style of the English Gardens, which he apparently loved. He also added statues and ancient ruin designs, including the columns and a pyramid.

In 1793, during the French Revolution, the Duke was executed by guillotine and the garden was taken into public ownership. 83 years later, Claude Monet painted the oil on canvas landscape below.

Claude Monet
Title: Landscape: Parc Monceau, Paris 1876
Location of Original: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

I wonder Claude Monet he put his easel and canvas to paint the landscape? I asked the park security ladies if they knew where the painting was made. They looked at the print and replied sympathetically in French, "Alot has changed since the painting was made." They did not know the exact location.

Hmm, was Claude Monet here?

...or was he here?

I gave up quickly on finding Claude Monet's inspiration, and instead, found my own. Just before I "clicked", a small child ran into my "masterpiece photo".

(double click the image to see the little cutie...)

Pyramid in Park Moncuau...including "lovers on the side".

Beauty.

Parc Monceau. Parisian's "Just Livin".

The Children of Parc Monceau...were Everywhere.

Children in the Trees of Parc Monceau.

Beautiful private homes that boarder the parc.

Leaving the park, I can still hear the laughter and screaming of the children echoing in my ears.

Sex in...oops, "and" the City.

...actually, it was just the movie, Part 2.

Paris Cinema, St Germain.

The lines for Sex and the City, 95% Female.

We went to see "Sex and the City 2" the first day it came out in Paris....It was "just okay." My French friend's opinion..."Did not like it." What did you think?

Just Livin' at the Luxembourg Gardens of Paris.

Life gets better (in Paris) with each day...A wonderful afternoon in the Luxembourg Garden, after the French-English Conversation Group.

The Luxembourg Palace was built for Marie de Medicis, the mother of king Louis XIII of France,in the years 1615-1627.She decided to build the palace in imitation of the Pitti Palace in her native Florence. She purchased the hotel du Luxembourg (today the Petit-Luxembourg palace) and began construction of the new palace. In 1612 she planted 2,000 elm trees, and had a park built also in the style she had known as a child in Florence.She hired the same guy who designed the Tuileries and the early garden of Versailles.

Today, the Palais du Luxembourg in the Luxembourg Garden, is where the French Senate meets and is home of the president of French Senate .It is near the site of an old hôtel particulier owned by François, duc de Luxembourg, hence its name, now called Petit Luxembourg.

This is where we spent simply a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in Paris..."Just Livin'"

The Wednesday afternoon Parler Parlor Conversation Group.

Luxembourg Gardens with a Friend.

Palais du Luxembourg

Ponies in the Park.

"Just Living."

Luxembourg Palace.

I don't know why I love the following 2 signs..."Keep Off the Grass."

"Sit on the Grass."

Today was a beautiful sun shiny day. Happiness and Joy embraced me!

"Ching, ching." say the French, to a perfect day in Paris with a wonderful friend.

Today was a great day to "Just Live" in the Luxembourg Gardens for the afternoon...

Going Down...on the Way Back Up.

The perfect "comfort food" for a break-up in Paris...(along with a Theme Song).
I'm convinced that I will not be happy every single day in Paris, but Tonight's Dinner made me smile.

"Comfort Dinner."

I'll listen to this song, just one more time tonight...

And tomorrow, I know, will be a Better Day as I begin again to..."Just Live".

Il n'est pas trop long mademoiselle?

"Are my pants too long?" "No, they are not too long."

As I walked into the French Retouches (Alterations) Shop, the attractive older French woman turned and looked at me. Her pants were being pinned by the shop owner as he knelt at her feet.
She asked him in French, "Are they still too long?"
"No, madam. They are not too long." he replied in French.

Then she turned to me and asked sincerely, "Il n'est pas trop long mademoiselle?".
"No, they are not too long." I replied in French. "And they are perfect with those shoes." I added, also in French. "Okay." She said with a smile.

I was having a lousy day...nothing was going good and to top it off the strap on my favorite little black dress ripped in the washing machine, which is why I was standing there in the Retouches Shop.

The French woman had given me a huge compliment, just by turning to ask my opinion. I have always admired the style of French women and here was a stylish French woman having her stylish French clothes altered and she wanted to know my opinion! That was Compliment #1.
She asked me in French! (I don't look like an American Tourist) Compliment #2.
She called me "Mademoiselle"! Ah, I still look somewhat young! Compliment #3!

Who knew, the words, "Is it not too long, Mademoiselle?" could brighten up a day!

The Truth.

Just Live.

The first time I lied to cover up the truth.

The second time I told the truth to cover up the lie.

The third time I lied to tell the truth...

and then I told the truth.

Still, He replied with, "I never want to see you again."

Holding back the tears, I asked, "What am I suppose to do now?"

"Just Live." he replied firmly.

Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.

The Palais de la Cite was the royal palace from the 10th to the 14th century...(until the royals moved to the Louvre). It is now the French Palace of Justice. The Palais houses the Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) and the Conciergerie which includes the prison cell of Marie-Antoinette...I was not inspired to take photos inside the Conciergerie.

The Sainte-Chapelle was built between 1242 and 1248 to display the relics of the Passion of Christ. The Crown of Thorns was purchased in 1239 and was the most famous relic of the Chapel.

I actually had to take a deep breath before taking this photo.
There's "something" special about Sainte-Chapelle. Inside the Lower Chapel.

Lower Chapel was used by the palace workers.
The King's fleur-de-lis symbol.
The Upper Chapel with 15 Stained Glass Windows was used by the Royals.
Upper Chapel includes statues of the 12 apostles of Christ.

The 15 windows tell the story from Genesis through the resurrection of Christ.

The Palace of Justice today.
Inside the Palace Gates.

Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie are all that remain from the oldest palace of the kings of France.