foxy

Paris has been crazy crowded. Today was the Paris Marathon and there were 31,000 runners plus at least that amount of spectators. So I needed to go someplace without too many people and enjoy the beautiful weather. 
Pere-Lachaise is the largest green space in Paris with 70,000 graves. More famous names than you can imagine. So I stopped off to see Chopin, Edith Piaf, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Bizet, Maria Callas, Marcel Proust and many others. 
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Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

The military cemetery, Omaha Beach and the museum. A difficult and important day. 

The military cemetery, Omaha Beach and the museum. A difficult and important day. 

The military cemetery, Omaha Beach and the museum. A difficult and important day. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Despite its name it’s not actually a tapestry but an embroidered piece of cloth 230 feet long and dates back to the 11th century. It tells the story of William, Duke of Normandy who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It contains 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. It is, in one word, magnificent. You see it in one piece, dimly lit with a recording that explains it scene by scene, the original can not be photographed as the light would damage it. These photos are of a reproduction and from a 16 minute film. 
The town of Bayeux is worth a visit. It was not bombed during the war so many of its old buildings are intact. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

Today I visited Monet’s garden. To see the water lilies is almost a religious experience. 

So I guess some might consider this too much jewelry

So I guess some might consider this too much jewelry

I live fairly close to the Cloisters, go often and have been a member of the Met for many years. I go to the Cloisters when I want the feeling of being in Europe but don’t want to get on a plane. I love the Cloisters. In a few weeks I’ll be in Angers and look forward to seeing the Apocalypse Tapestries again. They are spectacular. 

Indeed beautiful.
If you love the Unicorn tapestries make sure to check out the ones at the Met Cloisters in NYC next time you’re in town. Obviously similar in many ways but they are distinct. It’s fun to compare and contrast. Spoiler alert, I like the NYC ones better (big surprise..lol) Unfortunately the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to compare and contrast them side-by-side in 2020 never materialized. The show was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A display of medieval art thwarted by a plague? The irony was lost on no one.

I wear an 18kt gold snake chain. It’s very subtle. On it is an 18kt gold pendant, about the size of a dime that contains the ashes of my late husband. So he’s always with me. 

Housing one of the world's finest collections of French medieval art, the highlight for me is the gorgeous Lady and Unicorn tapestries. 




 

This was Hunter Foster in 2003 when I saw him in the show. At the time, after the performance Hunter was posing for photos with Kerry Butler who was Audrey  For a $20 donation for Broadway Cares you could be in the photo with them. So I did it. I’ve cut myself out of the photo but just before the picture was taken I slipped my hand around Hunter’s back. That was worth $20.