I was in the Louvre Museum a few weeks ago and here are a few photos I took there. I was showing someone the top three things seen there-you know, what everyone wants to see.

Winged Victory

Venus de Milo

And, of course, Mona Lisa. That’s her way in the background. There’s almost always a huge crowd trying to get a look at the painting. I’ve been there a few times, very soon after opening, when I was alone but that’s rare.

In the wing holding French paintings is this painting of Josephine, Napoleon’s wife -his first one anyway. I read that this was her favorite painting of herself.

There are two sculptures by Michelangelo. It’s amazing to me that two unparalled artists-Michelangelo and diVinci-both lived and created at the same time and in the same country. What are the chances?

PS-sign up for my giveaway if you haven’t on my Blog Anniversary post. I will draw the winner on April 30th, my 9th year anniversary of blogging.

Maurice is not a fan of chinese food so when I get the chance I go with a friend exploring Paris and finding good places to eat chinese food. I think I could eat it every day. Lately my friend and I have been trying various restaurants in the Belleville area-it’s packed with them. One evening as we were headed for yet another eating adventure these artistic renderings caught my eye.

So true. I am not showing the whole drawing-a lady about to eat a cockroach for some reason.

It’s hard to tell from this photo but this painting is huge, covering the side of a building.

I thought there were real men putting this sign up at first. The sign says something like watch what you say.

Close up of one of the “men”.

PS-keep leaving a comment on my blog under Blog Anniversary Giveaway! I’ll do the drawing on April 29th.

Okay-time for the give away to celebrate nine years of writing about my life in France. It’s been an interesting one and I have no regrets about moving here other than not seeing my family back in the States as often.
My daughter in law, the one living in Texas, is very creative and has been making some incredible jewelry using photos so I asked Liz to make a necklace using my photos-one on the front, one on the back. It’s really hard to choose a photo to do this. At first I was going to use the Eiffel Tower at night but it turned out to be too dark. We finally settled on a cross I took of photo of in the Pere Lachaise cemetery on one side and a bright red poppy on the other from Provence.

Here’s what it looks like.

To enter my drawing, just leave a comment. If you make a link to the contest on your site, I will enter your name twice. It will, of course, be a random drawing. Maybe Maurice will put his hand in the jar and pick the winner.

If you would like to see more of what Liz does, here is her site on Picasa:

Haute “E” Designs

You can reach her at: hauteedesigns@gmail.com for questions or comments.

There is a darling restaurant not far from Notre Dame that always has wonderful decorations outside and the interior is fabulous. I ate there twice, once was great, once just okay. I know people who rave about the food though. The owner is very friendly, very welcoming to all and calls his wife the Wild Woman. I’m thinking I should go again and give it another try. It’s been in operation since the 1600′s and has a very interesting interior. I saw the exterior the other day announcing spring and had to take a few photos.

Look–they rolled out grass on the sidewalk!

Another view.

The menu outside.

I like the room upstairs the best, I think, but this is a room to the side of the main entrance which is rather elegant.

And get a look at that ceiling.

I can never take enough photos of windows and doors. Here are a few from Paris:

Windows with ivy.

Windows with reflections.

I love the iron work on this little window balcony.

Mexican food can be a hit or miss affair in Paris and I usually save that particular craving, along with barbeque, for when I’m back in Texas but I have found a fun place where I love the decor and the chicken nachos aren’t half bad called el Sol et la Lune (31 rue St Jacques). When I’m in the area I often stop here for a quick lunch and a margarita. I’m not sure if tourists would search this place out usually being there for the French food experience, but it’s fun and funky with Mexican music being played overhead and a nice lady who runs the place. The food is also South American, something I haven’t tried.

Some photos of the interior. Love the chandelier.