Day 2 in Paris

Day 2 in Paris

Today Perry and I ventured out on our own.  Both of us have a “list” of places we would like to visit.  Since we have been here before, we do have an understanding of where things are, so that helps.  Our first stop was at the Marmottan Monet Museum.  The museum is housed in a beautiful building that was once a private home.  It has been expanded over the years, but one can still get a feel for a grand home of the late 1800’s.  In 1957, and then again in 1966, the museum received gifts of important Impressionist works of Manet, Pissaro, Sisley, Renoir, and of course, Monet.  These gifts made it the caretaker of the largest collection of Monets in the world.  Add to this treat, a special exhibit of the works of Berthe Morisot.   She was the first woman to exhibit at important salons in Paris, and later worked with the great Impressionists.  It was a delightful respite.  I found myself breathing more deeply as I relaxed into those paintings.  All were beautiful, but several ones by Morisot attracted my attention.  I will try to give you more info and images of Le Jardin a Bougival, Girl with a Doll, and Girl with a Dog.  Visit the website of this museum at:  http://www.marmottan.com/english/collections-musee/berthe-morisot.asp  Spend some time with Berthe and the other Impressionists.  

The rest of the day was spent walking the city, visiting some “Patriots” sights like the spot out in Passy where Benjamin Franklin lived while negotiating with the French for aid during the Revolution.  I read that he installed a lightning rod there to keep the house safe.  He also bought a small printing press to pass along positive propaganda about the American war efforts.  He even organized a small workshop so that he could continue some scientific research.  The only thing that remains is a plaque on a modern building, but what fun to think about his life here.

This modern building is where Ben Franklin stayed  while in Paris.  He was the guest of a wealthy businessman who enjoyed the notoriety  of having such a famous man as his guest.  

Franklin's statue at the Place Yorktown, near the Eiffel Tower.