We have become tourists par excellence, which means we can negotiate the Metro system. It has rained all day, so today was an indoor day.  First, the Pompidou Center for the finest modern art collection we have ever seen.  You name the modern artist, and they are here:  Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Dali, Warhol and more.  Even more, there is a special temporary Matisse exhibit of drawings and paintings showing pairs of paintings he did.   There are so many of them and the quality and variety was fantastic.  The Pompidou is a unique building with all the plumbing and escalators on the outside and huge spaces on the inside.  It houses all forms of modern art from drawings and paintings to sculpture and video.  It also has some of the best views of Paris - even on a rainy day.

Outside of Pompidou - see the escalator

Interactive art 

Optical illusions

3D Art beautifully done 

One of the most fascinating things we saw today were French school children touring and viewing the modern art.  They were so in tune and involved.  The teachers would sit them down and tell stories and ask questions. I couldn't help feeling that it would make it easier to understand and appreciate if one started young.  Can you imagine having this art available to you as a child?

A large installation that struck us as beautiful

The sculpture imitated the painting (Chagall)

Students listening to story about art they are seeing

Drawing what they are seeing

Kadinsky

Juxtaposition of modern & old

After a break we headed for the Pantheon, one of the oldest churches in Paris and now a tribute to the French Revolution and its heroes. It has had a history as a church, a basilica and a secular place of government.   The French are proud of their revolution and they were instrumental in guiding our founding fathers and the political philosophy of our new nation, so understanding them helps us understand ourselves.We were amazed to see how much history was going on in France that paralleled our American Revolution.  We had George Washington though who refused to be King.  They had Napoleon who wanted to be an Emperor.

Ceiling at Pantheon

Pantheon

Inlaid marble floor of the Pantheon

Ceiling Fresco in the St. Genevieve's Basilica of the Pantheon

After wandering about in the rain we found ourselves at a small streetside cafe for coffee, crepes with Nutella, and dark chocolate ice cream (glace).  Now, we are back at the flat relaxing and reflecting on a busy and wondrous day in Paris.  More to come....