This weekend was the "Journees du Patrimoine" in Paris, which means that many state buildings were open to the public for viewing. Palais d'Elysee (where Sarkozy lives), the Assemblee Nationale, and other government buildings would have been amazing to see, if not for the predicted 6-7 hour lines that formed outside of them early in the morning.
After our 12 hour journey to northern France yesterday, waking up early didn't sound so good, so we decided to take a different route. Justin, Rachel, and I headed up to Montmartre to the Moulin Rouge, which was open to the public for viewing for the first time. Unfortunately, we didn't turn out to be the only people who knew about this and didn't make it inside. But, after seeing Moulin Rouge the movie and comparing it to the outside of the building, I can pretty much guarantee that I'm better off remembering the movie's version of the interior.
the famous Moulin Rouge
the line to get into the Moulin Rouge
While we were in Montmartre (northern Paris) we decided to wander through the cemetary and found a couple famous graves.
Emile Zola's original tomb
(now he's in the Pantheon)
Edgar Degas
Le Cimitiere de Montmartre
When we got to the Jardin de Luxembourg later in the afternoon, we saw that the line to get into the Palais du Luxembourg (the Senate office building) was moving quickly and we decided to go inside. The building is close to 500 years old and full of interesting history. It was a really cool experience and I'm glad we got to see it.
l'Hotel de la Presidence
Office of the President of the Senate
A view of the gardens from inside
Inside the Palais du Luxembourg
La bibliotheque (library)
as my friend Justin rightly put it, "there are books in here that are older than our country"
Salle dea Seances
Palais du Luxembourg
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