Since I got to see some really neat and rarely-visited places here last weekend, I figured that it is only right to post my photos and thus expand the viewing audience.  While I’m not usually a fan of dousing myself with endless facades of fleur-de-lys-draped architecture, I still want to capitalize on the fact that none of the buildings here are crumbling concrete remnants of a bygone colonial era.

(Oops…did I just say that out loud?)

Sunday is a day that I typically reserve for my long slow run, and on this particular morning I went out for a nine mile jaunt that actually necessitated cold weather gear (yes!). Sundays, by the way, are an excellent opportunity to get out and exercise, because Paris is nice enough to block off the roads along the Seine and allow for lots of pedestrian elbow room. This makes me smile.

After my extended runs, I always try to make some effort to continue moving my legs, just so I don’t wake up on Monday morning feeling like a 34 year old Tin Man. So I did my run, ate an oatmeal breakfast, and then struck out in search of some heritage.

Long lines to get indoors suggests that I chose wisely in picking this cultural activity. At least I hope so, I still wasn’t too jazzed at the payoff contained within the Hôtel de Lauzun, but this line seemed to be moving much quicker.

I didn’t have to wait long before I was inside the courtyard and in possession of a very informative guidebook that traced my tour through the extensive property.

All of these great buildings commence with a trip up a grand staircase. I felt a bit underdressed in such an ornate enclosure, but at least I wasn’t donning safari shorts and a fanny pack, which seems to be a popular tourist uniform in this decidedly urban environment. God help me if I ever become one of those tourists…

The library.  Yes, I’m a master of the obvious.

Today the Palais is a governmental building where the chamber of parliament holds meetings for France’s 348 senators.

This globe sits in the conference hall. Framing of this particular geolocation is of course intentional.

Again, the conference hall. I am thinking that it could stand to have a bit more gold in here…

And they have Napoleon I’s throne on display in the hall! Sadly, I could not sit down and try it out for myself. It dates from 1804, and is of course embroidered in gold. Gold threw up all over this building.

This is the library annex. What is interesting about this room is that it served as the first museum (for paintings) that was open to the French public back in 1750.

This room is called the Gold Book room. Marie de Medicis’s bust is overseeing all of this gold goldness. You can probably tell that my legs (and brain) are getting tired by this stage….

Still, I’m always amazed that no detail was spared in these great buildings. My living room walls on their best days could never parallel the ceilings of France…

The Clemenceau room. I liked this room best- and that’s because of this mosaic. It’s done by Jean Bazaine, the same guy who did the Cluny-Sorbonne metro stop. Not only did he keep his use of gold to a minimum, but he is a real master of his art.

This was taken in the Marianne room. For those of you who are not closet francophiles, Marianne is synonymous with France.

More embodiments of la femme. I love this.

This was taken in an adjoining building- “Le Petit Luxembourg”. It’s the residence of the President of the Senate. You can probably guess why I was drawn to this tapestry.

And there are fantastic views out to the garden. So green, so ornate…

I will not apologize for my maritime bias as I snaked through the tour. This was in the Cabinet Director’s Office.

Behold, les serres. (See, you learned the word for greenhouses! You’re welcome).

Not only do they grow plants from all over the world, but they are also cross breed plants to make their own creations- like this orchid. It’s spotted like a pink and yellow dalmatian. I can’t say that I would call this particular flower an aesthetic success…but then again, if Kim Jong-Il has his own flower named after him, I guess Luxembourg gets a pass for their efforts.

I do love color, and this was definitely a great stop in on the heritage circuit. The lines may have necessitated some patience and standing around, but I was happy to witness some real live culture.

I mean, when you combine sugar with long lines of French people, the result has to be good, right?

The name of this place is Pierre Hermé , and from everything that I saw, he makes exquisite pastries and macarons.

If you remember me mentioning my Toothpaste Dilemma affliction from the previous posting, then you know that I have a really hard time deciding what to try when there is too much choix. In the end, I opted for an “absolutely caramel” macaron.