Loo-vre

I shouldn't be surprised.  It is the Louvre, after all.  Just before we left, after wandering around for about six hours, I decided to "spend a penny" (or in this case €1:50).

On entering, one wall had a colourful art installation ... rows and rows of brightly coloured toilet rolls.  As each 'client' exits the cubicle, an attendant wipes the door handle outside and inside, then disappears in briefly, before emerging to beckon the next user.

At least it was a woman.  In Berlin, twice I encountered MALE attendants.  The first time, as I was heading to the hand basins, I saw him and gasped, "Am I in the wrong one?". The second time I still got an initial shock, but didn't blurt anything!

At the Louvre, my cubicle had bamboo wall paper, a bright blue lid, and above, behind glass, various objects related to "the bathroom" all in the colour theme bright lime green.  I manage to peep into another cubicle.  The bamboo wallpaper was replaced by a padded, studded look in pink, with the display behind the glass in ...what else but pink.  The hand basin area was not large and patronage was brisk so, whilst I really wanted to, I could not linger to check out any other cubicles.

All these coloured objects, including toilet paper in a multitude of colours, was available for sale at the entrance area.

The Louvre is a short walk from where we are staying.  We crossed the River Sienne at Pont de Art, which glistened brightly in the morning light.  It was the sun reflecting off hundreds and hundred of small padlocks, attached to the wire mesh barrier, each with two names or initials on them.

There was a large queue at the famous glass pyramid, but thanks to Woodsie's research before the
trip, we could bypass them and enter immediately, with our Paris Museum Pass.

Not only are the various collections here amazing, the entire building complex is almost overwhelming in size and grandeur.  You need a map to navigate about, as with four floors and
several wings, it is too vast to see everything, so we chose to be selective.





First was "Mona Lisa".  I don't care what anyone says, clapping  eyes on this mysterious woman for a
second time in my life is amazing.  Next we searched for another woman, Madame Vigee-Le Brun. Years ago, in my teens, I purchased a framed print of this painting from R. L. Gibbons, a furniture 
and floor coverings shop where my Dad worked.  It cost $25:00, an enormous amount to me.  But I
loved the image of a woman whose arms are wrapped around her daughter, both staring out at the 
viewer.

On my last visit here, I saw MY PRINT on a postcard as we left.  I was too foot sore and weary to
seek out the original.  Reason would suggest I had copied the details before our trip.  Nope!  I had a 
rough idea of when it was painted. 

However, the Louvre has collections of French, Italian, Spanish etc.  Robert wandered patiently around with me, when we saw a small Souvenior Stand.  I found the postcard, which had details on
the back.  As I stood waiting to pay, I glanced into the next gallery - Spanish paintings - AND
THERE SHE WAS. She is about the same size as my print.  

It is a self portrait of the artist with her daughter.  Madame Vigee-Le Brun et sa fille, Jeanne-
Louise, dite Julie, painted by Elizabeth-Louise Vigee-Le Brun.  Seeing this gave me a great buzz than revisiting M L.

My two main aims achieved, we were free to wander about. 



 Two other pieces I set out to find were 'The Lace Maker' by Vermeer and two Michelangelo sculptures - Captive.

For lunch we found a food area and could sit out on a balcony, right beside a row of sculptured life sized  figured that often line the tops of such important buildings.  The food was tasty, the view was 
wonderful, the service was commendable ... But best of all was just the chance to sit down a while

I later took a photo of Woodsie pointing to where we had enjoyed lunch: