May 3, 2017

We did sleep in a bit today and got up at 9 feeling pretty rested. We're telling ourselves we've already adjusted to the time change!  However, outside it was cool and rainy!  But, off we went anyway with our umbrella and dressed in layers!  Our first stop was at a cafe in the Place Trocadero for breakfast. We had cafe Crete, I had a croissant and Peter had ham and eggs. We were hungry and it was yummy and expensive (31.80E). Oh, well it IS Paris!  Our next stop was at a street vendor to get Peter a scarf!  ALL of the men AND women are wearing them today!  

So we were fairly warm and dry as we headed for the Army Museum, a good place for a rainy day!  And it WAS spectacular!!  First we gaped at the tomb of Napoleon under the dome of Invalides Church!  It is magnificent, 15 feet high, a glorious red porphyry (an igneous rock) coffin holding 5 other coffins and ( one ebony, 2 others of lead, another of mahogany and the last of tinplate before the emperor himself!  It is surrounded in various alcoves by tombs of members of his family and of some war heroes. 

We then proceeded to the World War I exhibit which tells the chronological story of the causes, battles and outcome of the war and how it "sowed the seeds" for World War II. Lots of films, uniforms, canons. Nearly 10,000,000 people were killed in just 4 years. In addition the war ultimately seemed senseless; it started with little provocation, ranged on with few decisive battles, and ended with nothing resolved, a situation that provoked World War II.  World War II was the most destructive of earth's struggles.  In this exhibit,  the war unfolds in photos, displays and newsreels, with special emphasis on the French contribution. You may not have realized that it was Charles DeGaulle who won the war for us. 

Except for the heavy French emphasis, it was fascinating. 

After lunch in the museum cafe, we headed to the Rodin museum where we strolled the gardens, saw the original Thinker and Gates of Hell. What a beautiful complex. Too bad it was raining!  Strolled to rue Cler where we took in a neighborhood shopping area. Bought provisions for dinner and stopped at a cafe for another cafe creme. By the time we got back to our small apartment it was 6:30 after walking almost 9 miles. Dinner was picnic-style and delicious. As Peter says, there's says, "Nothing compares to a French baguette!" Bed time rolled around pretty quickly!