Eiffel for Paris: Just a lazy Saturday in Paris…

A few Saturdays ago (Easter weekend), I was out and about in the city with no specific plans.

I’ve learned that often, that’s when I find myself doing some pretty interesting activities…

I had to be at the church that morning for a bell rehearsal. I ended up staying in the sanctuary for a little bit after my group finished. I was up in the balcony; grading papers and listening to the other bell choirs rehearse. The acoustics in that church will never cease to amaze me! I left when they finished and the lights were turned off (!) and headed to the supermarket and bakery around the corner to pick up some picnic supplies (baguette, cheese, water…you know, the basics). I decided that I would visit one of the parks that I’ve been thinking about visiting for months – Parc Monceau. I took the metro to the right neighborhood and wandered into one of Paris’s beautiful, verdant city ‘escapes.’ I found a bench and ate my picnic lunch and then started to wander around the park’s footpath. I realized that some of the enormous homes that “border” the park had backyards…with grass! I couldn’t believe it! I reached a certain gate and saw a sign advertising a museum I had never heard of before, Le Musée Nissim de Camondo. I immediately decided to investigate. The museum collection (bequeathed to France many years ago) is housed within the family’s former home. Collections maintained in this way are some of my favorite spots to visit (I really don’t care for massive museums!) The patriarch of the family had been a serious collector of 18^th century decorative arts (tapestries, furniture, paintings, etc.) Each room was filled to the brim, but seemed cohesive and not (too) overwhelming. My favorite part was visiting the huge kitchen and seeing all the shiny copper pots and pans! I couldn’t stop myself from taking photo after photo…obviously!

Spring flowers...

and gorgeous colors in abundance...

Love a good carousel!

One of the many ornate entrance gates to parc Monceau...

The home of the de Camondo family...

Plaque dedicating the museum...

Entryway...

The second floor...

A sitting room, with a beautiful woven tapestry (with evidence of the 3 fleur-de-lys which were removed from the center blue medallion after one of the revolutions)...