We started off our last day of the tour at The Orsay. My impression of the Orsay, I must say, is that the museum is amazing first thing in the morning with the sun shining through the windows of the refurbished former train station. We were the first group in the building, and it was refreshing to get a small respite from the crowds, as short lived as it was. This was another tour activity where I fully appreciated having a guide in my ear. I had seen many a work of Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, and the like in textbooks in school, but seeing the paintings in person with an experienced art professor in my ear, helped me see them in a new light.
After our Orsay tour concluded, I was on my own to make the best of my last full day in Paris. So, I embarked on a solo mission to make up for time lost during the week from being ill and anxious. My first stop was the Tuileries Garden, across the river from the Orsay. I took a quick stroll around, saw some statues, watched some children throw rocks at pigeons, and sought shelter from the inevitable pigeon retaliation.
Then I hot footed it over to the Rodin Museum where I strolled through the garden snapping photos of the statues. I “think” I took a few fun ones.
Once I had my fill of Rodin, I headed across the street to Musee de l’Armee des Invalides. We have a joke in our family that we are related to Napoleon, but only the "Boney Part". * Actual familial connection not substantiated. * So, of course I had to go and pay my respects at Napoleons Tomb. And though I consider myself a pacifist, I did enjoy seeing the other exhibits, especially the ones dedicated to WWI and WWII.
On my way back to the hotel I ran into a couple of people from the tour, and we did a little shopping on Rue Cler. I bought myself some fancy macarons at Laduree. Though they were a delightful culinary experience, I found I'm more a chocolate chip cookie girl myself.
Later that evening, our group got together one last time to share dinner and toast our time in Paris! A wonderful way to end a wonderful week.