Journées du patrimoine (part I)
Last year I didn't really do much for the Journées du Patrimoine - I'd heard too much about people waiting in line for hours just to get into one monument. But this year there were a whole bunch of things open withing in walking distance of where I live, so I was determined to make it to at least one or two of them.
First up on my list was the Pantheon. I walk by it at least three or four times a week and I've always wanted to go inside, so I was pleased to see it on the list of free monuments. And even better, there was no line - we walked right in!
I really enjoyed visiting it, but was surprised by the little bouts of pride I felt in the crypts, looking at all the great French men reposing there, and I was humming La Marseillaise by the time I left. Hmm....maybe I deserve French citizenship after all...
They had some great photos there as well, and I thought it was particularly interesting to see what my neighborhood looked like at the time the Pantheon was finished (1790):
Then it was off to the Luxembourg Palace, where the French Senate meets (again, no line to get in). I had been expecting it to be pretty boring inside, but it ended up being my favorite of the whole weekend. It was way more elegant that I'd imagined, and they had some good signage and hand-outs to explain the history of each room and how it was used nowadays.
The Journées du Patrimoine fun did not end here, so stay tuned for part II tomorrow!Labels: Les Journées du Patrimoine
posted by Ksam @ 10:48 AM
4 Comments:
Of course you deserve French citizenship!
The Luxembourg Palace does look really nice. One of these days I will go back to Paris and actually see more than just the super touristy spots.
That looks really beautiful. Great choice, and I cannot wait to see what else you went and saw!
Hey I was in Paris then too... visiting my aunt who has lived there most of her life. She got to go to the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) for the first time in her life, as it is very hard to book a seat there.
Not part of the Journee du Patrimoine, but the Tiffany exhibition at Luxembourg was great too, hasnt seen as much since MOMA!
That's funny, I did the exact same thing except it was Sunday. We could have almost meet.
I loved the fact that there was no line, and the Senate is very impressive. It also gives a lot of pride and respect to visit the Pantheon in my opinion. I almost feel it should be a mendatory visit at some point in your life when you are french. A bit too much for me to read it all in such short time, but definitely enjoyed.
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