Monday, April 1, 2013

The Art of Living

Welcome back, dear friends! I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend with the ones you love.


This is the third in our four-part Paris series, and I can't think of a better way to start the new week than with a tour through the Louvre.


This medieval fortress turned Neo-baroque palace is now home to some of the world's finest treasures.


Let's start in the Denon wing so we can beat the crowds to one of the museum's most heavily visited attractions--Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Snap a quick picture while she smiles for the camera! 


Now we're ready to stroll through the sprawling galleries of classical French and Spanish paintings,




and hear the stories told by ancient Greek and Roman sculptures.



As we head over to the Near Eastern Antiques in the Richelieu wing, let's pause to take in the exquisite interior designs.




We'll admire the craftsmanship of the ancient Mesopotamians,



and turn the corner to discover the code of Hammurabi.


Entering the atrium we'll witness ancient dramas unfold,




and in the Sully wing we'll marvel at the mysteries of antiquity.


The treasures we'll discover


will make our hearts dance,



and remind us to celebrate the art of living every chance we get.


Thank you for joining me on this tour of the Louvre! I'll see you next week for the forth and final look into "la vie en rose" in Paris! 

~Nel~  

26 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Nel- How gorgeous- I can't believe all that you packed into your time there- Wonderful photos- xo Diana

Nely said...

Hi Nel,
What a beautiful post,and pictures..

Many hugs
Nely

Susie said...

Nel, I am absolutely loving your photos. It is so nice of you to share. I dream of seeing all the works of art that I possibly can in my lifetime. Waiting to see more. xoxo,Susie

Red Rose Alley said...

These statues are so pretty, Nel. I love the first one with the children. And that stairway!!! The dancing one made me smile heeheehee.
~Mom

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Fascinating, thank you! x

TARYTERRE said...

GORGEOUS pictures. A fascinating place to visit. Thank you for the tour.

Anonymous said...

The art of living...perfect truth and beautiful reminder.
I wish your tour became a permanent series, Nel. It's so inspiring and dreamy. Thank you again for sharing.
XOXO's

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

How beautiful your pictures are. I feel like I am right there.
Happy Spring
Mary

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour Nel! When I was at the Louvre, we had to go two days in a row and we were still not able to see everything! Paris is a dream, n'est-ce pas? Anita

Yuli Conversations said...

The paintings are stunning, so are the sculptures. I would so love to see these in person.
YuliConversations.blogspot.com

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Precious Sheri! THANK YOU for coming to visit! I had one dear blogger that said she jumped back when she scrolled down and saw that GIANT rabbit! teeehee...he is gentle, just LARGE!

We DID have a super Easter my dear! Like you, most of the morning was cloudy, but that did not stop us from going out to have our own "sunrise service" over the lake in the car.

May April bring us promise of brighter days! LOVE! Anita

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Ladies,

Thank you so much for visiting me Sheri and so glad that you had a blessed Easter with your family.
Nel, your photos of the Louvre are wonderful and thanks for showing us.
Brought back happy memories of my trip there too - isn't the museum amazing with so much to look at.

Happy April
hugs
Carolyn

Pierre BOYER said...

It remember me my visits :
http://pierre-boyer.blogspot.fr/search/label/Mus%C3%A9e%20du%20Louvre
Best regards from Paris,

Pierre

Leslie said...

Such wonderful photos!! We were just there less than a year ago. I can't wait to go back.

I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend.

xxleslie

hi-d said...

Wow! Looks like an amazing trip!!! Thanks for sharing. :)

Heidi

Beauty Follower said...

I have visit Louvre in the past. Very interesting museum.

NEW POST
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/2013/04/i-love-max-maras-pieces-why.html

Teresa said...

I had an experience of "Here YOU are" when entering Louvre and finding all those sculptures and paintings I've dreamt about all my life. It was an (almost) religious experience. True.

And before leaving it - it was leaving or being killed by the family on the spot (and I didn't really wish the honor ahahaha) - I had to stay a few minutes in the Atrium. So much beauty and bigger (in size) than I imagined... in fact if I had to explain one of my feelings in the Louvre it would be the shock with sizes. All my life listening how Mona Lisa is the size of a stamp and I found it big, huge in fact... and those statues... well, Gods (Are) were that big ;), I guess... but seating in there or picturing them from the accesses on top makes you feel honored, but small ;).

Thank you for sharing another amazingly beautiful post, Nel. Aren't digital cameras wonderful?! Can you imagine to take these pictures and be counting the roll and not certain if they pictured well?!

Blessings, Sweet Girl!

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

So gorgeous... would love to be in Paris right now...

Susie Swanson said...

Wow, these are breathtaking. Thanks for sharing them.. This is as close as I'll ever come to seeing them..hugs, xo

Miky said...

Great picture Nell ^_^

Sofi Moukidou said...

omg! you brought back memories from my travel to paris!
lovely pics!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Nel, What a wonder in every pic you share. You got to visit and learn so much. Thank you for sharing it all with us here in another special post.
Hope you enjoyed a blessed Easter.

Hi Sheri,
thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. It is always so nice to see you. Your words always encourage.
Hugs and blessings, Celestina Marie

ANNE said...

How wonderful!! I hope to get there in person someday soon. Thank you for sharing xox

hidden art of homemaking said...

love this..."celebrate the art of living every chance we get."
this is just breathtaking. I am speechless (well, almost)..I just loved this blog and thank you for sharing the Louvre with all of us..
Love, Mona

Beauty Follower said...

Nice museum indeed!

LILA MOONLIGHT said...

I haven't been inside Louvre yet, so I ejoyed these pix very much. Hopefully one day I will make a long stay in Paris ( meaning more than 2/3 days ) and can spend 2 full days to take in all in Louvre : )