Paris, Day 4

On our final day in Paris (we would take the train home at 7pm that night), we met up at the church St. Philippe du Roule, an interesting neo-classical church, and after a quick stop to see the inside, headed over to Musee Jacquemart-Andre. I know I've said this 100 times, but this was another place I had no idea existed and one that I would definitely take someone back to if they were visiting Paris for the first time! It is considered the equivalent of the Frick in New York or Wallace Collection here in London.

Here is a peak at the wonderful interiors...

So lovely!

After this, we walked to a brasserie for lunch (taking a quick pit-stop at a wonderful chocolate shop then into the Galleries de Lafayette...)


And after lunch, we headed to the Opera! Absolutely over-the-top in every way, I cannot believe I've never popped inside before. It is literally the pinnacle of Napoleonic opulence...




some costumes on display











There is an outdoor balcony outside this hall on the right in the picture above...


And here I am on the balcony facing the city!

After this, we walked through Paris past a few pretty cool spots...including an amazing auction house AND the Folies-Bergeres (amazing art deco sign)

on our way to les passages, or the covered arcades with amazing old-school antique shopping...my favorites were the places that sold literally only signatures - you can go in there and buy Emile Zola's signature on something like a visiting card or letter if you really want to. How cool?! There were also places to buy old books and original art - from second-tier anonymous artists but still very high quality drawings, watercolors, and sketches. I will definitely come back here.

And so ends our class trip to Paris. We ended this day with a few shared bottles of wine at a cafe and then a friend and I bought some bread/cheese/wine and paper plates and had a picnic on the Eurostar (we promptly passed out for the rest of the ride). Goodbye Paris, see you again soon!