Paris: Part Four

The last day we were in Paris we dedicated the whole day to two things: The Musee d'Orsay and a boat ride on the Seine.
Both were a new experience for us, and a few of our favorite memories from the trip.
d'Orsay was having a big Van Gogh exhibit, on top of their already having so many permanent Van Goghs, Monets, Lautrecs (and the like), I was totally in art heaven!
And we both really liked the scale and size of the museum*. It was approachable, and completely doable to see everything in day. Worth the wait! (Although, to minimize your time in line, may we suggest you buy your tickets online in advance and go in the morning around opening Wed/Thur/Fri. We learned this through hard knocks.)
We didn't want to rush through the exhibits when we did get in, so when hunger struck we decided to eat at the restaurant on the second floor. The food wasn't anything to write home about, but I'd eat peanuts under those beautifully painted ceilings!
After the museum we just loitered around the streets surrounding Pont Neuf, waiting for dusk.
We ate our last dinner in Paris (insert outdoor cafe). And stumbled upon this spot, on the banks on the Seine at the tip of the il de la cite.
You know in old movies when people are walking/dancing/falling in love on the banks of the Seine? I'm pretty sure it's on this little portion of the bank.
We were only there for maybe 15 minutes, but in my mind when I go through the flashcards of our trip, it's this little spot of ours that likes to come first to mind.
The trees from the garden behind us are overhanging, the sun is just so, and we have nothing to do, and no where to go.
(Along with the youths of Paris, who I believe were similarly motivated. Peaceful, picturesque, free. Perfect for after school, first dates, tired feet.)
And then at last was the boat tour. The cherry on top!
The city is beautiful by day, and stunning by night.
You should go, so you can see what pictures just can't capture.
Go at dusk, and if you can swing it, go with someone you love. And just pinch yourself that you are alive and seeing Paris sparkle, together.

*The Louvre is so grand, I think the stats are that if you only took 3 seconds to look at each piece of art housed at the Louvre it would take you like 33 days to see everything. And while it is totally worth the trip to go there, it can feel overwhelming if you can only dedicate a slice of your afternoon there.