F Train to Paris

In which a Jewish family from Brooklyn moves to Paris, France for two years of work, school, and adventures.

On Tuesday, as we were leaving school, E. (age 6) suddenly said, "The Louvre is great! You can see the pyramid, and you can eat whatever you want in the restaurant." I wondered where this came from, as we haven't been to the Louvre in a couple of months, and the last time we took him it wasn't a huge success, but I was certainly happy to hear it. "Do you want to go tomorrow afternoon?" I asked. Wednesday is a half day in most Paris private schools (public school kids have the whole day off), and we had no plans.

Usually on Wednesdays, I send a lunchbox and have E. stay in school until 1:30. (Last year I wasn't even aware that this was an option--the school doesn't publicize it.) But yesterday I picked him up at noon so we could have lunch in the Louvre food court, which is a somewhat upscale version of an American mall food court. We took the bus to Concorde and walked through the Tuileries, entering the Louvre through the underground mall to avoid the lines at the pyramid. Although we had been discussing sushi v. pizza, we ended up sharing a falafel and humus platter. Next stop, the children's book store to pick up markers and a sketchbook, which I had forgotten to bring. Lately, E. will happily go anywhere with us as long as we let him stop and draw.

And on to the museum. "First let's go see the mummies," E. requested. "Then I want to look at sculptures." I was impressed.

The easiest place to find mummies is a small exhibit about Egypt during the Roman empire, which is in the Denon wing right outside the Cafe Denon (a very nice place to eat lunch when you're at the Louvre, if you aren't with a small child who wants pizza, sushi, or falafel). Not far from there is a series of galleries with sculptures from the sixth through the fifteenth century. We found a bench, and E. sketched a wooden sculpture of a woman in a red dress. This was the last drawing he made that had anything to do with what we saw around us. For the next hour, E. led me through the museum, stopping at benches along the way to draw. First he did a series of boats with colorful, patterned sails, and then he began a project he described as a movie, with pictures of various monsters, each under a different kind of moon. I think he was envisioning his own version of a "flip book."

I had a book with me as always, and I read as he drew. From time to time I did look up at the art around us, but for the most part the two of us just sat on benches, drawing and reading, with the Louvre as a backdrop.  I've never experienced the Louvre or any museum in this particular way, but it was quite pleasant.  We sat in rooms that were quiet, far from the crowds snapping photos of the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory. Finally, perched on a stair in a breathtaking room with marble floors and walls and a gilded, frescoed ceiling, E. announced that he was finished. We left the museum through the large pyramid, as I'd promised when we arrived. Then we walked west through the Tuileries toward the bus stop, stopping for sorbet and a carousel ride along the way.

posted by: pariskleinmans at 10:37 | link | comments (6) |

Comments:

#1  03 April 2005 - 06:39

 

My son thinks the best part of the Louvre is the giant pyramid at the entrance. It's wonderful that E likes to draw. Sounds like a nice day at the Louvre.

Anonymous

#2  04 April 2005 - 12:16

 

Experiencing the Louvre as a backdrop is my favorite way to move through it, with occassional stops to see something that picques my interest. I haven't taken my own E. there in ages...but your visit inspires me. I like the ideas imbedded in your description.

SciMama

#3  05 April 2005 - 15:09

 

hi Lisa! sorry it took me so long to visit your blog. your Louvre experience sounds awesome! i can't wait for my kids to get older so i can take them there too...

Anonymous

#4  06 April 2005 - 17:09

 

Just wanted to say that I love the new look! :)

Vivi

Anonymous

#5  07 April 2005 - 07:19

 

Yes, I like the new look too! Now you have to write more often!

Anonymous

#6  07 April 2005 - 12:19

 

Vivi and Auntie M. (I think that's you, unlogged visitor), I'm glad you like the new look, although it's nothing special. I had to change my template to take advantage of new Motime features. Someday, I'll have a pretty blog like you two.

pariskleinmans

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