Paris welcomed me with sunshine yesterday and the Bouchayer family welcomed me with love. Jean-Luc's brother and sister were at the airport to meet me. It is so much better getting off a long flight to a hug instead of on your own. Jean-luc's parents came up from Lyon by train and his nephew was in town as well, that plus his brother's wife and their two children put us at 9 for lunch. And what a lunch! I lasted until about 3:30 then I had to have a nap - the lack of sleep finally caught up with me.
Today Jean-luc's parents, brother, sister and I met his sister's daughter for lunch. After lunch his parents and I went to the Musee de L'Orangerie which houses Monet's famous Water Lilies. Not only are the paintings incredible but the way in which they are exhibited is beautiful. Monet designed the building to create a "decompression space" between the busy city and his peaceful work. I had no idea that these paintings were so large - I have only ever seen reproductions that are poster size. It was breath taking. An added bonus was an exhibit of Chaim Soutine's work - a Russian impressionist living in Paris in the early 1900's. I loved his portraits and landscapes but wasn't too crazy about his still life's.
Tomorrow it is off to Les Sables d'Olonnes.
Today Jean-luc's parents, brother, sister and I met his sister's daughter for lunch. After lunch his parents and I went to the Musee de L'Orangerie which houses Monet's famous Water Lilies. Not only are the paintings incredible but the way in which they are exhibited is beautiful. Monet designed the building to create a "decompression space" between the busy city and his peaceful work. I had no idea that these paintings were so large - I have only ever seen reproductions that are poster size. It was breath taking. An added bonus was an exhibit of Chaim Soutine's work - a Russian impressionist living in Paris in the early 1900's. I loved his portraits and landscapes but wasn't too crazy about his still life's.
Tomorrow it is off to Les Sables d'Olonnes.