Paris for Mother's Day

Throughout the morning, all I could think was- 

to be in France, America is everywhere.

We started the day at the American Church of Paris and my first thought was- this is what America is supposed to be.  The congregation is multicultural, English is spoken with many accents, everyone is open and inclusive, a biracial couple baptized their child, and we all worshipped together.

Afterward, we crossed the river to walk toward the Arc de Triomphe- May 8 is Victory in Europe Day celebrating Germany's defeat in WWII.  The french refer to it as Huit Mai which means 8 May and most do not treat this as a big event-hmmmm.  But: we walked up Avenue Franklin Roosevelt (there is also a metro stop bearing his name), across Avenue du General Eisenhower toward the Champs Elysee where they were having their first pedestrian-only Sunday after a parade.

 Then for lunch we took the Metro back toward the Marais and walked across the Ile de la Cite.  We enjoyed the bird sellers near Chatelet as much as when the kids were small.

Heads up, for the rest of the walk we talked about how this could be the inspiration for our children's book, Canard on the Loose.  I had visions of a duckling in a striped shirt and beret dodging traffic when Pete said "Au Revoir!"

 Next, the Institut de Monde Arabe- on every list for the architecture and views from the roof (which is free), but the temporary exhibit explored Oriental Gardens (east and far east) and their influences.  All the Jardins Exotique filled with succulents, cacti, and water features that we have seen on the Côte d'Azur were originally experimental gardens to acclimatize and design what would grow in France in order to include them in royal gardens since 13th century.

Then, back across the river to the Centre Pompidou- another amazing rooftop view, another amazing permanent collection and another temporary exhibit to introduce us to a new artist.

 The Centre Pompidou is filled with works by Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Georges Bracque, Calder,  and Mondrian.  Again, I keep asking myself why I waited in line and paid exorbitant prices at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay while these collections are easily accessible with inexpensive tickets and you feel like you are in a private showroom.

 And one of the highlights was the temporary exhibit on the work of Gerard Fromanger.  I have definitely seen some of his work but enjoyed learning more.  Another connection: one of his patrons was Aimée Maeght of the Maeght Foundation in St. Paul de Vence, which is one of our favorite museums.  Maeght and his wife spent a lifetime cultivating artists, nurturing their work and providing places for them to exhibit.  The Foundation in St. Paul de Vence is full of Miró, Bonnard, Georges Bracque and amazing sculpture gardens with Calder mobiles spinning next to Miró's happy figures.

Again, so much to process, so much to see, so much to learn.  Camille, Pete, and I were talking as we walked today about who the smartest people we know are.  Several names were thrown out but ultimately, we agreed that our neighbors, Art and Marilyn Holder, were probably at the top of the list.  Not because of their diplomas or degrees (although those are impressive), but because they are lifelong learners.  They read, travel, go to book clubs, take classes- we agreed that it is the pursuit of knowledge over a lifetime, not for any job/profession or test, that makes you well rounded, engaged and well-educated.  

If anything at all comes of this "Semester of Enrichment" we have been given, I hope it is that lifelong pursuit of knowledge- the curiosity- that stays with my children.  They now know that they are responsible for their education, more so than any teacher, parent or institution and they are making the most of it!  Now that is a Mother's Day present.

American Church in Paris

Institute du Monde Arabe

Centre Pompidou

Paris- Modern Art to Military History...

May 7th, late night again...

One of my favorite museums in Paris is free- Musee d'Art Moderne.   Camille and I visited here two summers ago with Kelly and were amazed at the Impressionist art that you could walk right up to with no lines!  So we brought Pete back and visited the temporary exhibit for Albert Marquet who we had never heard of.  Turns out, he traveled with Raoul Dufy painting northern France waterfronts, spent time on the Riviera with Matisse and lived from Paris to Algiers.  Pete even loved the work-probably because it was mostly waterfront. Marquet exhibit information

After the museum, we walked up the Right bank for lunch in the Trocadero.  I still think this is the best view of the Eiffel tower without the crowds and street vendors.  And the pictures from the top of the steps are always fun.

Then, an afternoon planned by and for Pete- history, military history.  In all the times I've visited the city, I had never been to Les Invalides.  Built as a hospital, it now holds the Musee l'Armee and the Cathedral with Napoleon's tomb.

 Since Pete was most interested in the World War 1 and World War II parts of the museum, that is where we headed and spent almost two hours learning about the French involvement in both wars.  The museum had a great collection of military uniforms, videos, weapons and interesting facts- some we knew, some were new to us.  For instance, we knew that the French uniforms for WWI had red which looked very fashionable but made them great targets for the enemy.  We also knew that they mobilized over 600 Parisian taxis to transport troops to the front-"the Miracle of the Marne".  We did not know there were alpine divisions of the french army, or that during WWII they dropped hundreds of small silver "windows" with parachutes to confuse German radar into thinking they were parachuting soldiers.

 And after a great dinner with the Bullingtons, back to the Eiffel tower for those great afternoon pics- watch the video and see my competitive son accidentally whack his friend..she was fine, thank goodness.

And a river cruise to rest our tired feet and watch the city light up.  I think I have been on a Bateaux Mouche every time I have been to Paris.  I love how it immediately removes you from the hustle and bustle and dust of the city and the views of the bridges are amazing.

So much to process in one day with another to go...But feeling so lucky for the opportunity.

A Day in Celebration of Higher Learning

May 6th, 2016- 11:30pm

The primary reason for this trip to Paris was for Camille and Wilson to take

the Advanced Placement US History exam at the American School of Paris in Saint Cloud.  The exam was at 9 this morning and lasted 3 hours-ugh.  With that out of the way, we ubered back to the city center as soon aspossible and celebrated with pastrami, french fries and cokes at the kosher  Then the three McGriffs headed out.
deli in our neighborhood-Schwartz's.

We walked from the Marais, with its narrow streets crowded with a few tourists and a lot of shoppers and moms with strollers headed to a park, across the Seine to the Ile St. Louis, which was relatively quiet until we approached Berthillon, the ice cream shop behind Notre Dame made famous by every tour book since the 1980s.  Paris has such a great "cafe culture" and by 3-4 in the afternoon, people start claiming their tables.  The crowds of tourists on the island seemed to be happy baking in the sun, eating ice cream and enjoying the view of Notre Dame's flying buttresses.  As a parent, I realize that I have to keep repeating myself often- things I have shared with Camille, Pete missed because he was too little (and probably more interested in ice cream).  And now, Camille and I can both "teach" him as we share the history and architecture of one of our favorite cities.

We quickly headed across the next bridge and into the neighborhood of St. Germain des Pres and up
the hill.  Here the crowd changes a little from hoards of tourists to more of a neighborhood scene, and as you approach the Pantheon, you are walking by the Sorbonne.  The sidewalks were crowded with college students getting out of class.

Built in 1755 by Soufflot, an architect hired by Louis XV, the basilica was originally dedicated as a monument to Saint Genevieve.  Everything about the architecture of the building celebrates the Period of Enlightenment; the structure blends ancient architectural shapes from Corinthian columns, vaults and flying buttresses from Gothic, and the dome inspired by the Renaissance.



In 1791, the basilica was transformed into the National Pantheon where by decree, it was transformed into a temple to honor the great men of the Nation.  Voltaire's remains were
transferred there and Rousseau was interred there forever-rivals in theory in life- they lie facing each other in the crypt.  Two different times it was turned back into a church until finally in 1885, the structure was returned to its civic importance for Victor Hugo's funeral.

It turned out that my children loved the story of Victor Hugo's funeral as much as I do.  They were impressed with the stories of emotional outpouring of the city for a political and academic figure.  Almost 100,000 people lined the streets from the Arc de Triomphe, where the speeches were given, down the Champs de Elyssee, where the procession traveled down and across the river and up the hill in St. Germain to its resting place in the Pantheon.  People camped overnight for a place on the route, there were over 800 wreaths, and all this for a man of ideas, thoughts and letters.  The article of that day in the NYtimes is worth reading
New York Times, June1, 1885


So, it can be said that the French have celebrated their thinkers- the men and women that created the Enlightenment, which is how they moved from a monarchy to a democracy--on the rational principles of equality.

Along with Rousseau, Voltaire, and Hugo, the crypt holds the remains of Marie Curie and her husband Pierre, Alexandre Dumas, leaders of the French Resistance and the French Revolution, and Leon Gambetta, founder of the 3rd republic.

In keeping with its celebration of thought- Foucault's pendulum was originally tested here and was rebuilt in the late 1900s.  The pendulum, pulled back one time a day, swings for over 24 hours, and at this latitude, the base on the floor rotates around the pendulum at 11 degrees an hour, proving that the Earth is round and revolving.  It took the 3 of us a long time to wrap our brains around the scientific principles and Pete has plans to make one at home...





After the Pantheon, we headed back down the hill to a much more recent spot for a great meeting of the minds-Shakespeare & Co.  This is ground zero for the Lost Generation. Owned by Sylvia Beech and frequented by Gertrude Stein, the bookstore would loan the apartments above the store for little or no rent to aspiring authors.


Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Picasso were all here- exchanging ideas, writing, thinking and being encouraged.  As crowded as it is, my family always manages to find a few great new additions to our library.

Today the topics were the French Resistance and Architecture.

So- just what I hoped for. Lots of really big concepts
and ideas to chew on, and hopefully we will seek more information to answer all the questions that came up.  And with virtual learning, we have the time to seek knowledge.  Another layer of enrichment, another layer of Paris.