The Water Lillies in Monet's garden and other Paris, France Off The Beaten Path Tips

Monet's watery Garden

The inspiration for some of Claude Monet's finest pieces of art comes from the lillies in his beautiful garden at Giverny. So keen was I to see this garden, that I went on a cycling trip to Giverny , 13 hours after I landed in France from Singapore! This day trip cost me about 50 euros but it was worth every cent as it quelled my need for exercise and the French countryside is as beautiful as it is reputed to be.

If you're wondering whether I cycled into the pond due to my jetlag, click here to see my Giverny page. It's the #1 Giverny page for the time being and it's been described by my readers as a visual gem.

Details for the cycling tour agent are found at the weblink below.

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Website: http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com

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Métro: Entertainment on the go

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Updated by bpacker

on Mar 14, 2005

Blaring a trumpet solo on the metro

Despite my grumbling about the stuffy subway in summer, I have to admit it is entertaining to take a ride on the metro. Why? Well, each time I hopped unto a train, my attention deficit disordered personality was kept at bay with buskers. I saw puppeteers, trumpeteers, pianists, mime artists who brought a smile to my face.
And what's more, the buskers have real talent.
It was only later that I found out that the busking scene in Paris is tightly controlled by the the Paris Metro authority's busker programme (known as the Accord on Metro Space, or EMA) . Every year, artists go through an audition every year to win one of the 360 licenses to busk on the Paris underground, or the chance to perform for the 2.5 million commuters who use the Metro every day. Who knows, some of them might be talented spotted for a big break..

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The Statue of Liberty: Trčs Petit Lady Liberty

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Written by bpacker

on Mar 14, 2005

Trčs Petit Lady Liberty

In appreciation for the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, Americans living in Paris erected a small replica, about 35 feet high, of the Statue of Liberty. It is mounted next to the Pont de Grenelle, a bridge crossing the Seine, 1.5 km South of the Eiffel Tower.

I saw the mini-me version of the real thing when I went on the night cruise on the Seine

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Walking Around: Tres Petit Smart Cars in Europe

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Written by bpacker

on Mar 14, 2005

The Smart Car in Paris.

If ever you're in Paris, you're bound to see these cute little things zipping around the chaotic streets like a motorcycle. Yes, it's none other than the fuel-efficient, green Smart Car.
There's also a couple of these in Singapore as well, but none of us have really taken to these little things since everyone buys a SUV these days. Somehow, there's this inherent fear that we'll turn into Fat Bastard* if we enter into one of these things and get stuck there forever.

*Scottish lump of fat as seen in Austin Powers , the movie.

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Musée Rodin: How many Thinkers are there at the Rodin Museum?

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Written by bpacker

on Mar 18, 2005

I think therefore I am..

Do you know that there is more than one "Thinker" at the Musée Rodin? If you attempt to look for the famous sculpture in the main museum, you'll only be rewarded with a tiny one . A larger version sits high on a pedestal in the garden, at the center of intersecting pathways lined with roses and yew trees. Guess where is the third thinker? Well, if you can't guess where it is, drop me a mail, I wouldn't want you look like "The Thinker" and fret over it.

Where
Musée Rodin is located at 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris.

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Phone: 011 33 1 44 18 61 10
Website: www.musee-rodin.fr.

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Musée Rodin: See Rodin's Work through his Eyes

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Written by bpacker

on Mar 18, 2005

Death and Despair in Bronze

Now, if you do happen to go to Musée Rodin, don't just aim for "The Kiss" and " The Thinker". There are other worthy bronze sculptures in the main museum and in the gardens worth mulling over. For your benefit, I will talk about these other sculptures. The Burghers of Calais is a case in point. Do look out for it near the entrance to the gardens.
The sculpture took my breath away when I saw it for the first time. How can it not, especially when Rodin immortalised the patriots in their final moments of death and despair? ( In case you don't know, the burghers were six French citizens who sacrificed their lives to end the English siege of their city in 1347 ) These statues were placed at ground level instead of being elevated so that viewers would be deeply moved by looking closely at the postures and facial expressions of the men as they confronted their deaths.

Where
The Musée Rodin is located at 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris.

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Phone: 011 33 1 44 18 61 10
Website: www.musee-rodin.fr.

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Musée Rodin: The Gates of Hell at Musée Rodin

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Written by bpacker

on Mar 18, 2005

The Scary looking Gates of Hell