Museum of Architecture Part 2

The Museum of Architecture has so many models of old and new that I couldn't fit all the photos I took in one post, so here is part 2; this is the other half of the ground floor of the old as well as the upper floor of the modern. Enjoy!

A close up.

The other half of the ground floor (the photos in yesterday's post) can be seen and entered through several openings.

This archway

had incredible details underneath, like this in the center,

and this on the sides underneath the arch.

The intricate work standing from a few feet away,

is even more amazing up close.

There is an elevator or stairs to the upper level of modern architecture.

The Radio France Building and

the Citroen Building, both exist in present day Paris.

Resorts built into the natural landscape, skyscrapers, and temporary structures built for exhibition from all over the world, fill the upper level. There are also many video presentations about how certain structures were designed and built; I saw many students with notebooks, taking notes.

The upper floor also has a smaller exhibition of frescoes and wall paintings.

The most impressive sight was seeing three of Paris' great buildings through the windows of the Museum of Architecture. If the weather is nice, there is a ground floor cafe with a terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower where you can enjoy a bite or a drink outside; a priceless way to spend some time in Paris :)

Museum of Architecture Part 1

Trocadéro is a well known stop for pictures of the Eiffel Tower, and as many times as I've been, I had never gone inside the Museum of Architecture, known as the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, until yesterday. With so many wonderful museums here, it's a challenge to see them all; like chateaux, each one is unique and depending on your interests and tastes, some will appeal more than others. For those who don't have the time or desire to visit all the historical sights in France, this museum offers models of most of the most famous.

 A close up of archway.

 Even though the replicas are not life size, they are impressive.

 Scenes were sculpted into the architecture.

 A bit of the detail in close up.

 Imagine having to decide which designs you want!

 Clever look outs :)

 A close up of the same piece.

 Models done in different formats with different materials.

 Look familiar? Notre Dame in Paris:)

 I've never been to Chartres, and had no desire to go until I saw the replica of the Cathedral.

 He looks like he's holding his nose :)

 Murals are also recreated showing what was inside some of the buildings.

 A staircase can be very elaborate.

More in my next post, including the upper floor modern section with views of the Eiffel Tower:)

Jardin des Plantes

This week-end was a celebration of parks in Paris, so I decided to go to Le Jardin des Plantes. I've been here once before when I rented a studio nearby, but it was in Winter, before I moved here. The balmy 70 F weather on Saturday, after a week of rain, made all the trees and plants come alive, as if to say "Finally some sun!" There are several areas for different kinds of plants from alpine to water based, and everything in between, including those that produce essential oils and food. Enjoy the photos as you stroll the garden with me :)

There were more people outside the greenhouse than inside!

There are several train (RER & SNCF Gare d'Austerlitz & Lyon), metro (Censier Daubenton, Austerlitz, Jussieu), and bus stops (24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89 et 91) surrounding the garden, as well as a Vélib station.

You may of course arrive via private boat,

if you don't live on one of the nearby barges:)