J'ai trouvé Pablo Picasso

What a day!  And the packing was somewhat justified as it went from 91 and humid to 65!  Bring on the hooded shawl!

Carried on three French conversations (pitifully short but it's a step!), and long franglais conversation with a wonderful woman as we explored Chappell Expatiore - she going on about how bad her English was - phfft- she was fluent in my book!  And a couple American English ones!  One couple thought I was French for a bit!  They and another said they should hire me to guide them as I pointed out where things were and etc - told them as long as they didn't mind always heading in the "general" direction of a landmark!  All were great fun!

The Picasso museum has been closed for years and I've never been in. Always wanted to although I'm not the hugest fan. Wasn't.  Am now. He's amazing. What a gifted artist, no wonder they called him a genius. All styles from drawing to painting to sculpture to mixed media. From classical to cubist to the edge of surrealist. It was a marvelous museum - thought I would spend less than an hour but spent over 2

You know his surrealist style. And you say, gosh a child could do that. He says he drew like Rembrandt as a child but it took his entire life to draw like a child

Here are a couple different versions of his first wife Olga (the Russian dancer)

A little style shift!

He led an interesting life including politics and issues in Spain with Franco and admittedly he strayed a bit (2 wives, multiple mistresses) but his scope and breadth of work was stunning

"Nous LES espanols, c'est la messe le matin, la corrida l'aprés midi, le bourdel le soir.  Dans quoi ça se mélange?  Dans le tristesse"

Fascinating. I'm going to read up on him when I get home

His son

Landscape

Also took a morning trip up to the bell tower to see the 2 non functioning bells and gargoyles at Notre Dame and went into the cathedral. The trip to the top isn't for the faint hearted but it is well work the flights and flights of tightly circular steps. Even with clouds it was great

And the little hidden away gem. The former burial place of King Louis and Marie Antoinette after beheading before they were relocated to Basilique St Denis. Even the French lady who lives 300 K away and visits Paris for a few days every year had never been in or knew about - wonderful!

I'm thinking old churches and some time in the Luxembourg Gardens tomorrow!  And maybe an Angelina chocolat chaud. And probably an Orangina. Yep that sounds good!