Paris and Giverny

This post is a follow up to my France 2024 Edition post, covering my time in Paris and Giverny. I finally got an opportunity to go back to Paris again in early May. I think the last time I was there was in maybe 2018, so I was glad to be able to go. My husband and I brought our daughter over for a visit (she’s living in Germany currently) and it was of course wonderful to get a chance to see her again. Although I spent most of my time in Paris at a work conference, they got to spend some great dad-daughter time together during the week. However, I did make some time for some fun stuff. 🙂 We arrived a little early before my conference specifically to do two things: visit Giverny and watch a show at the Moulin Rouge. I’m happy to say that I got to do both. 🙂

Giverny

Giverny is an easy day trip from Paris and although I’m biased based on my love for Monet’s work, I’d say it’s worth the trip for sure. The house is lovely but the gardens are next level. Let me just say that I understand why he spent his life there painting. The weather was beautiful and the quality of light, along with all of the colors, was just gorgeous! The only thing that could have been better was if the water lilies were blooming but we were there a bit too early for that.

It was a little surreal to me to be there. I’ve always loved impressionism and Monet’s works in particular, Reproductions of some of his art decorated my apartment walls in college. What can I say, it was an inexpensive way to add a little class. As a teen/young adult, I had always wanted to go to France but never believed I would have the chance to go. So to be in France again and specifically to be in Giverny was a nice moment.

Moulin Rouge

Ah the Moulin Rouge! Touristy? Yes! Fabulous? Also yes!

The Moulin was recently in the news again due to the tragic loss of the iconic sails that graced the front of the theater. Although it looked a bit…naked…when we arrived, the missing sails didn’t detract at all from the experience. And well, nakedness is rather on-brand for the venue so there’s that. 😀

We entered the opulent lobby of the theater, all done up in vibrant reds and strongly evoking its origins during the Belle Epoque. Inside the theater, seating is packed tight on the main floor – every square centimeter is put to use! We asked if it was possible to get a table with a bit of leg room since my husband is so tall and they came through for us. We sat in the balcony with a great view of the stage. The way the tables are configured there left my husband with plenty of room. So if you’re a tall traveler, it’s worth an ask.

Just before our visit, I read that the Moulin is the largest single consumer of champagne in the world. Whether or not this is factually correct, I could definitely see how it’s possible. Right after we were seated, a waiter came by and asked if champagne was OK for us. We said yes and back he came with a bottle. He later brought us a second one. And yes, our party of 3 drank both.

I expected topless women, a lot of cancan dancing, and general song and dance. I was not expected an aquatic number where a dancer (or erm, swimmer) performed in a clear pool that extended from the stage and retracted afterwards. Nor was I expecting the Cirque du Soleil style performances.

We were certainly entertained!

We capped off the evening with a lively conversation, mostly in French, with our taxi driver (who spoke at least 3 languages). It was a nice opportunity for me to practice the language with a friendly and kind local.

On the work front, (in addition to a lot of meetings and policy sessions that none of you want to read about, haha), I had a lovely lunch with some colleagues at The Beef Bar, with a gorgeous Art Nouveau interior. We ordered a delicious dessert that looked like a piece of meat and came complete with the waiter “carving” it with a cleaver. Fabulous!

I also attended some wonderful cocktail events, including one at the Pavilion d’Armenonville (which if my memory serves, was also the location for a WordCamp Europe closing party some years ago. It definitely looked familiar…) and another on the Seine with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower.