Catacombs, Monets Garden and Pere La Chaise cemetery

29th and 30th of June, and the 1st July

 

I haven't updated for a couple of days, so here is a brief outline and a few photos regarding what I've missed.

 

On Saturday, it was a 'free day' of the tour, and so a few of us got up early and ventured to the catacombs. The Catacombs were pretty fascinating.

They were built due to the plague, when they ran out of room in the cemeteries.

The walk was only one section of the tunnels, but had a lot to expose.

 

Upon talking to a security guard, who has been working in the catacombs for 15 years, we were shown around a few of the sections with the bones and skulls.

He pointed out areas where the sculls had been arranged into shapes (there was a section where a love heart was formed with skulls amongst the bones).

He also showed us the teeth in some sculls, as well as a particular skull which had evidence of a bullet - which was so perfectly round, it was amazing.

 

 looking down into a well of water.

 Elena, one of my roommates.

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, we went home and had some lunch of a freshly warm baked baguette and brie cheese before we headed out again to Galerie Lafayette - a huge shopping centre... which was packed.

 

I didn't buy anything when I went shopping. I don't do well in crowds and I was getting a little frustrated. Not to mention a lot of the items exceeded my budget!

 

On Sunday, my favourite day of the Paris tour so far, the large group ventured to Claude Monet's house and gardens, a little way out of Paris in Giverny.

It was a 45 minute high speed train and 15 minute bus to get there.

We brought our lunch with us, and ate it before entering the gardens.

 

The day was beautiful, sunny, and 28degrees.

Perfect.

 

The gardens were full of life and rich, rich colour - a strong contrast to the grey cobblestones of busy Paris.

 

 

 

 

The famous waterlily pond was also beautiful. Outlined with trees and flowers, willow branches and accompanied by several sweet little bridges over the water.

It was pure magic and serenity.

That's my type of garden!

After seeing his huge waterlily paintings, it was really nice to see the scene itself.

 

 On the way to the waterlily pond, there were lots of little streams lined with paths and gardens.

 

 

 On one of the little bridges!

 

 

The famous pond, and willows!

 

Monet's house (where no photos were allowed), was also magnificent. It was thoroughly decorated with art, many of his own pieces in the living room, and was strongly colour coordinated. He had whole rooms painted entirely with bright colours (like blue, and a kitchen/eating area decked out in yellow!). It was quite nice, but a little much for me.

 

The day was really lovely as a whole.

It was quite busy, but quietened down. I can only imagine how magical it would be to be amongst the gardens alone. Monet was lucky. Its beauty is captured in his paintings.

 

To finish the day, once arriving home, we celebrated one of our new friends' (Louise) 21st birthday with some delicious tarts (one apple, one pear). I was absolutely exhausted!

 

Today, the 1st of July (Monday), it is beginning to dawn on me how quickly this trip is approaching the end.

I have the next three days of guided tour by Alex, then one more free day (we will be going to Versailles Palace and gardens), and then I depart on Saturday night.

It was a quiet day for me today.

We visited a cemetery today:  Pere La chaise.

There are many famous people buried here (of course because I am not familiar with many famous people at all, I didn't recognise many names on the extensive list). They include Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison, and Pissarro (and I have forgotten the others).

 

 

 I was interested in the idea of life and death/old and young in these few shots.

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't stay at the cemetery for long.

I appreciate the interest and beauty in the unique memorial gravestones and plaques, and the history of the cemetery; however, personally I wasn't very intrigued by the sites of the famous people buried.

 

Personally, I feel that visiting a gravesite is a respectful thing for a person you have loved and known.

Due to not knowing, and in most cases having never heard of some of the people, I felt wrong to be visiting their gravesites as a tourist.

 

One gravestone can be so significant to someone, but can be considered completely insignificant to another (if that makes sense).

What happened to all the sites walked past by thousands of tourists as they made their way to kiss Oscar Wilde's?

How are they any less significant? They may have been just as incredible as those famous, but never seen that way by the public eye.

 

I just feel odd about the whole experience, and I wasn't overly interested.

I respect it all, and I respect the interest that others have in it.

But being overly tired, I made an early departure from the cemetery (No, I didn't kiss nor see Oscar Wilde's grave), and made my way back to my room in Montmartre, where I have been recharging and relaxing.

 

I feel a little guilty for doing so. I feel I should be interested and that I should spend the whole day exploring Paris. Seeing things. Doing things.

I should frolic in the sun, and eat crepes, and listen to accordions.

Today, I guess, I feel like I should make the most of the little time I have left. Yet, at the same time I am using the day to sit back and try to re-energise instead.

 

I hope to make the most of the next 5 days I have here.

But, I would like to return to Paris. I think its a beautiful city. I think by the time I leave I will have missed a lot (still haven't done Notre Dam... and not sure if I will get around to it either. Is that bad?)

Tonight, I'm going to visit and climb the Eiffel tower.

I've heard its magical. At least I will go with rested feet and a clear mind.