Louvre Part 2

Whew that was a close one. We were all tired and punchy and over it. The Louvre has a large food court with quiet a few options. Ideally when in Paris you don't want to eat a food court (even an upscale one) but ideally when in Paris you don't want to travel with an 8 and 9 year old.    There was a McDonald's at the food court. I took the kids there. Dad went to a French place. Dad had a beer and the kids had some soda....and after relaxing a while we were ready to head back. I thoroughly studied the map and had a game -plan...no back tracking, no extra stairs, no getting lost.

Having a McDonald's in the Louvre has caused great controversy as you might imagine.  But what you may not know is that the French and Germans love McDonald's. Try to get a parking place at one...there is always a line at the counter.  I won't eat at McDonald's in the US but I will eat there in Europe.  In Europe they have to use locally produced foods.  The quality is much higher.  Having eaten fast food for much of life, only giving it up about 2 years ago I was pretty excited to eat at McDonald's.  Plus the options are better too.  I had a Mc Croissant with ham and cheese in Strasbourg and the croissant was as good as a Boulangerie croissant. 

OK-now back to the Louvre.

I happen to like the pyramid because I am fascinated by the juxtaposition between old and new, classic and modern.  Even if you don't like the style you have to admit it is impressive.

We made it quickly and easily to Napoleans Apartments.  I even found an elevator.

The views of Paris and the palace courtyard are amazing.

The kids loved this part.  "J" wanted to live here.

 

 

I can't believe the opulence. We didn't have time to go to Versailles...but this was plenty "over the top". While this was years after the French revolution, the grand lifestyle of the French leaders remained in such stark contrast to the lives of ordinary citizens.

It was fun to imagine the parties that must have been held here.

This beautiful courtyard, The Cour Puget, only had a glass roof added in 1993 and holds marble sculptures from all around Paris

This kid is ready to go home!