I was clicking through an article about Lupita Nyong'o's U.S.Vogue spread (which is beautiful, check it out) when I saw a line about how part of the shoot was shot at the Picasso Museum in Paris. I was a bit shocked to read this, because I had no idea that there was a Picasso museum in Paris. Not to say that my knowledge on Paris museums is exhaustive, but I do consider myself a lover of museums (a "museumophile", if you will) so I was surprised at such an oversight on my part. Turns out, the museum was closed the last time I was here: it reopened in October 2014 after being closed for five years. I jotted it down in my little Paris journal that one of my best friends gave me on a page where I keep an ever-growing list of the places in Paris I'd like to visit. Yesterday I decided that it was as good a day as any to bike over (no rain!).
The parade consisted of large, tricked-out buses and trucks blasting techno music, each trailed by a band of merrymakers that would react appropriately each time the beat dropped. I found myself in an interesting position: mildly horrified at the kids gleefully swigging from liters of "coke" (surrree...), faces covered in "tribal markings" drawn on with lipstick, and amused at some the adults, unsure of which way to turn their expensive strollers to avoid the puddles of vom.
Am I old? Not too long ago, this would have been my kind of scene. Now, I'm standing here clutching my imaginary pearls, muttering quelle horreur.
Eventually, I was able to snag a bike and Premium Rush my way over to the right bank.
The Picasso Museum is cool. It doesn't have a super-recognizable, imposing facade like some of the better known museums; you have to enter a courtyard first to get in line and the museum itself still bears many of the hallmarks of it's past life as a mansion. I'd been to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and I thought it would be fun to check this one out for comparison's sake. The layout seems to follow Picasso's development as an artist: Rococo ceiling moldings and grand staircases give way to minimalist white walls and stone ramps as you make your way up floor by floor. The layout gave me a much better perspective on Picasso's life, influences and artistic process. In addition to paintings and sculptures, there were "exotic" masks from Africa and Oceania, letters Picasso wrote during his stint as a writer and poet, and paper and wood models he made to inspire some of his cubist paintings. The top floor boasts an impressive collection of works by artists such as Cezanne, Matisse and Seurat, if Picasso isn't your thing.
Again, got in free because of my student id. I wish we had programs like this in the U.S., though I won't be able to take advantage of student discounts much longer... (eek!). But a good thing to implement for the next generation, no?
Idk why, but that little face creeps me out.
Self-portrait at 25 years old.
Blue period work, or "blue and pink", as the museum says.
I'm playing with a red lip, because pourquoi pas?
Students enrolled in european universities get in fo' freeeee. Creepy pic notwithstanding.
These flavors are too fancy-shmancy. Peruvian jungle fruit doesn't necessarily taste good.
Edible glitter is fun, though.
You can literally get anything and everything in La Grande Epicerie. Even peanut butter Oreos.
Great view. Paris has such cool rooftops.
Money shot of the cheeses.
Figs are so beautiful on the inside.
I live within walking distance of my school, so I decided to forgo getting a Navigo pass this time around and instead rely on Velib' for slightly longer jaunts within the city. It's much cheaper than even the year long student pass for the metro-ImaginR for 360 euro a year-totaling a measly 29 euro for one year. I picked up the express card from the local mayor's office here in the 6th yesterday, and went on my first ride this afternoon!
Velib' is the world's largest bikeshare scheme. The title is an amalgamation of the french words vélo (bicycle) and liberté (duh). There are Velib' stations all over Paris, each housing around 10 or so bicycles ready for rent. You can buy day passes, or do as I did and sign up for the year pass. Again, a measly 29 euro. If you're on the fence, DO IT! It's amazing. If you're a student, the first 45 minutes of use are free, and only an additional 1 euro for each additional 30 minute increment. I thought about buying a bike, but coming from the University of Southern California, I have seen more bikes stolen than I care to count, so I figured Velib' was a safer and easier option.
Being in law school, I have to add a disclaimer city biking is dangerous, and that you should make sure to learn the rules of the road and take proper precautions before you embark on any Paris biking adventures of your own. That being said...you totally should.
I activated my card at a Velib' station near my apartment and grabbed a bike. I opted for lucky no. 7, since it was my first time :). I haven't biked in forever, much less to actually GO anywhere, but like they say, you never forget how to ride a bike.
I was a bit wobbly at first, but luckily Paris is a very bike-friendly city. Most of the cars and mopeds gave me a wide berth, and I was only honked at once the entire ride. I was Eiffel Tower bound: I've been here for over three weeks now, and I haven't been anywhere remotely close. It was far enough, I figured, to be difficult to get to by foot but still close enough for my beginner status.
I picked up a map showing the bike traffic flow patterns for Paris (again, kiddies, take precautions!) and I decided to take the Seine route. It was a good decision. Super scenic...or should I say "seine-ic" hehehe. The weather was mild and traffic was relatively light. Perfect biking conditions.
Still slightly freaked out. Around Invalides and still alive. Fellow Velib'er behind me.
I reached the Eiffel Tower intact! And I even found a Velib' station to hook my bike back into before the 45 minutes were up. #winning.
Approx. 3,7 km/2.29 miles. Not to shabby for my first time!
Putting away my trusty steed.