Though most famous for being the permanent home for eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, the museum also contains works by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Alfred Sisley, Chaim Soutine, and Maurice Utrillo.
This was a treasury of art that I did not expect.
Paysage by Chaim Soutine, 1922.
This is a photo of a dollhouse-size room showing how the collector (who donated these paintings) had them hanging in his home.
Argenteuil by Claude Monet, 1875.
VERSAILLES
Located just outside of Paris, the court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution.
Versailles is famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV.
This photo is taken not at the main chateau but at the one where Marie Antoinette and her friends would play shepherdess and other dress-up games.
Later this became Napoleon's home for awhile.
The current government has enthusiastically promoted the museum as one of France's foremost tourist attractions.
In my view this place is over-touristed. Thousands and thousands of people pushed through the rooms when I was there. Fortunately this international crowd is made up of mostly nice people.
The palace, however, still serves political functions. Heads of state are regaled in the Hall of Mirrors; the Sénat and the Assemblée nationale meet in congress in Versailles to revise or otherwise amend the French Constitution.
The fountains were turned on from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
It cost 9 euros to enter the gardens.
Those fancy, uninviting front gates.
The fountains are on weekends only. Paris is turning "green".
The famous Hall of Mirrors.
Marie's bedroom: there's a little gate in front - not much privacy for her.
This is Marie's little hideaway in the next 3 photos.
Fascinating to return to this place after the last visit in 1980's. Times have changed.
Not my photo, but I wish it was. Not going to happen with an iPhone.
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