Friday 20220408 Breakfast, Orsay 1 (8 photos)

Today is our day planned for Musee d'Orsay, but first we have the breakfast buffet included with our hotel stay. A main attraction is the Whistler exhibition, so we begin there and spend a couple of hours immersed in his life and works.

Thursday 20220407 Paris (6 photos)

Leaving Rodin, rain causes us to catch a taxi back to the hotel where we can get our room and unpack. To reward ourselves for a successful day, we stroll to a nearby restaurant for wine at a sidewalk table. Soon friends walk up, and we make plans with Joanne and Rich for dinner later (and more wine). Jim has boeuf bourguignon and I have foie gras and onion soup. At night we have a stunning view of the Eiffel twinkling lights from our hotel window.

Thursday 20220407 More Rodin Gardens (7 photos)

Continuing our walk in the gardens, we spy a pair of bunnies before entering the mansion for collections of smaller sculptures.

Thursday 20220407 Paris! Rodin Gardens (7 photos)

Throughout the gardens, sculptures with descriptions stand at vantage points along with careful landscaping.

Thursday 20220407 Paris! Eiffel & Rodin (8 photos)


Since our room is not ready, we store luggage and start a misty 30-minute walk with the Musee Rodin as our goal. The Eiffel is just around a corner from the Pullman Hotel — selfie! Eventually we pass in front of Les Invalides and look toward the Seine to see the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the other side. With all the little stops and detours, we manage to stretch the walk to at least 45 minutes before arriving at the Rodin. The first sculpture we see should have asked us "What were you thinking?" Nearby rose bushes have been uniquely pruned into tree shapes. Hoping to avoid the threat of rain, we decide to save the mansion for later and go first to the sculpture gardens behind it.

Wednesday 20220406 Dinner on the Final Night (5 photos)

Dinner, celebrating with new friends, packing, etc. equals a busy evening. Tomorrow we check in to our Paris hotel for three nights and will continue friendships with several couples also taking this extension.

Wednesday 20220406 Last Night of Cruise (6 photos)

After lunch, a large group leaves for a bus ride and tour at Versailles while the ship cruises to Paris. Jim and I mostly pack and then visit with new friends in the bar lounge. We have a fantastic view of La Seine Musicale, and I add it to my list of adventures for the next visit to Paris. Final dinner finds the Dream Team together again after the other three couples return from their first trip to Versailles: Nan and Wally from Tennessee, Parrish and Steve from Georgia, Joanne and Rich from Delaware.
(Blog has been resisting my posts of too many photos, even after I reduce the size, so must decrease the number.)

Wednesday 20220406 Josephine’s Quarters Upstairs #2 (7 photos)

Josephine required much space for her people and possessions. Preparing her appearance consumed many hours and attendants. The third/top floor was dedicated to storage for her, and financial records verify that one year she purchased 600 dresses and 900 pairs of shoes.

Wednesday 20220406 Lunch on the Ship (7 photos)



The bus returns us to the ship for lunch, traveling on a boulevard lined with familiar cherry blossoms. The amuse-bouche at lunch is guacamole with chips, satisfyingly correct and tasty. I choose zucchini soup and tuna toast, Jim fried fish and potatoes, then desserts for both of us.