Okay one amazing thing about being a 22 year-old EU citizen in Paris? As long as you show ID you get into the majority of museums, galleries and tourist attractions for free; those that aren't free often offer a reduced rate. In fact this includes all EU citizens aged 18-26, seriously cool thing to do Paris. So far I've only paid to go into the Monet museum and that was half price. The free entrance often only includes permanent collections, be prepared to pay extra for guest exhibitions. But it's not just musées; it includes attractions as well such as, going up the Notre-Dame tower and up the Arc de Triomphe. I have had serious fun wafting my passport at stuffy ticket men these last two days....
Thursday
Thursday has got to be one of my favourite solo exploration trips so far, I finally got round to venturing to the Marais, D keeps asking me if I've been and telling me I'd love it, well it is my new favourite area in Paris. Before wandering around the winding streets I decided to get my culture on and go to the Musée Carnavalet, quite simply as museum about the history of Paris. Best. Museum. Ever. Half the time I didn't have a sodding clue what I was looking at but it was so fun, it literally has everything in it; art, architecture, history things, models etc. It's huge too!! I was gutted though because the archaeology room was shut which was the bit I wanted to see the most, oh well I shall just have to go back! If your in Paris, go to this museum, yes the art galleries are nice but there was soooo much to see and take in here. After being cultural I spent ages wandering around the Marais streets, drooling over Yiddish pâtissières and falafel stands, wishing I was richer to buy some of the artwork I saw and admiring some amazing series of street art. I also made some pit stops into vintage stores; I picked up two new skirts and the coolest shirt ever for a grand total of 7€, have I mentioned how much I love this place?? So that was my first expe rience of the Marais, I told me loads more places to go further north then I was so I will definitely be going back soon.
Friday
So today I decided to do the one thing I've been itching to do since I got here, go to the Musée Rodin (don't worry Rachael I'll go again with you). Rodin is a favourite sculptor from A level art days but this museum also houses a Camille Claudel collection; this lady inspired my final university piece and she is hands down my favourite female artist ever. You can look at pictures of sculptures in books and on Google but it NEVER compares to see them in the flesh so to speak. I actually squeaked when I walked into the room that has Claudel's 'Age of Maturity' piece in the centre of the room. Seeing your favourite sculpture ever, up close, for free, pretty decent Friday morning as they go. Anyway the Rodin museum is amazing, the actual museum isn't huge but they've crammed all the Rodin into it they can, the overspill is contained within the amazing garden and grounds. Another must go to museum, however unlike the Marais, this museum is in the 7th which is a bit stuffy and boring.
Apart from exploring I've been drinking wine and Tetly tea with fellow au pair friends, and of course looking after my little monkies. We were watching Charlie and Lola yesterday, it made me laugh because I genuinely have my own French Charlie and Lola to take care of, three weeks in and even if I had to leave tomorrow I seriously miss these two.
I also spent a metro ride compiling a mental list of the top five things I miss from England at the moment, it currently stands like this
1. Walkers salt and vinny crisps
2. Great British Bake Off
3. Marmite
4. Heat Magazine
5. Fosters in pubs
Thursday
Thursday has got to be one of my favourite solo exploration trips so far, I finally got round to venturing to the Marais, D keeps asking me if I've been and telling me I'd love it, well it is my new favourite area in Paris. Before wandering around the winding streets I decided to get my culture on and go to the Musée Carnavalet, quite simply as museum about the history of Paris. Best. Museum. Ever. Half the time I didn't have a sodding clue what I was looking at but it was so fun, it literally has everything in it; art, architecture, history things, models etc. It's huge too!! I was gutted though because the archaeology room was shut which was the bit I wanted to see the most, oh well I shall just have to go back! If your in Paris, go to this museum, yes the art galleries are nice but there was soooo much to see and take in here. After being cultural I spent ages wandering around the Marais streets, drooling over Yiddish pâtissières and falafel stands, wishing I was richer to buy some of the artwork I saw and admiring some amazing series of street art. I also made some pit stops into vintage stores; I picked up two new skirts and the coolest shirt ever for a grand total of 7€, have I mentioned how much I love this place?? So that was my first expe rience of the Marais, I told me loads more places to go further north then I was so I will definitely be going back soon.
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| Some of the really cool street art in the Marais |
Friday
So today I decided to do the one thing I've been itching to do since I got here, go to the Musée Rodin (don't worry Rachael I'll go again with you). Rodin is a favourite sculptor from A level art days but this museum also houses a Camille Claudel collection; this lady inspired my final university piece and she is hands down my favourite female artist ever. You can look at pictures of sculptures in books and on Google but it NEVER compares to see them in the flesh so to speak. I actually squeaked when I walked into the room that has Claudel's 'Age of Maturity' piece in the centre of the room. Seeing your favourite sculpture ever, up close, for free, pretty decent Friday morning as they go. Anyway the Rodin museum is amazing, the actual museum isn't huge but they've crammed all the Rodin into it they can, the overspill is contained within the amazing garden and grounds. Another must go to museum, however unlike the Marais, this museum is in the 7th which is a bit stuffy and boring.
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| Camille Claudel's 'The Age of Maturity' |
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| Rodin's 'The Kiss' |
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| The amazing grounds with the museum in the background |
Apart from exploring I've been drinking wine and Tetly tea with fellow au pair friends, and of course looking after my little monkies. We were watching Charlie and Lola yesterday, it made me laugh because I genuinely have my own French Charlie and Lola to take care of, three weeks in and even if I had to leave tomorrow I seriously miss these two.
I also spent a metro ride compiling a mental list of the top five things I miss from England at the moment, it currently stands like this
1. Walkers salt and vinny crisps
2. Great British Bake Off
3. Marmite
4. Heat Magazine
5. Fosters in pubs
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