Paris - 3rd January 2008

A taxi ride to Musee D’Orsay and even though we are there quite early (it opens at 9.30am) we still have a half hour wait.  There is a Hodler exhibition to visit before languishing in the beauty of the Impressionists .....Monet, Manet, Rodin, Van Gogh.  My favourite place in Paris!   

 I want to see the Musee Des Arts so we head across to Rue de Rivoli and start the walk we think is in the general direction.  It is then we stumble upon “Angelina”.  Next to Hotel Meurice, this café is a wonderland of cakes in all shapes and sizes.  Their ‘flagship’ cake is the Mont Blanc” – a secret recipe 100 years old, and of course, their hot chocolate!  I order both to say that I have had the experience – I believe I have a cast iron constitution when it comes to food, but even I couldn’t finish this totally decadent culinary delight!  Resting on a pillow of meringue is a ‘bee-hive’ shaped cone of rich hazelnut paste filled with cream! And the hot chocolate is so rich you need to add the cream they serve in a separate bowl to detract from the chocolate!

 We visit the Musee Des Arts, which is a collection of furniture and nicnacs from the past six decades.  There is also a collection of fashion and textiles which is captivating although maybe an experience to be shared with a girlfriend rather than a husband!

We have sat at numerous sidewalk cafes, eaten at various French restaurants to the point where I am now developing rolls on my rolls……. But this will be our final night so we once more venture out to do what we must do………..