June 10th -- Baron Haussmann's Modern Paris & Le Vernissage

We toured the city today with architecture Professor Ulrike Kasper. We met at the Opera Garnier and began our walking lecture with a discussion of Baron Haussmann’s design of “modern” Paris. With Ulrike we walked through the covered glass passages of the 19th century, to the Palais Royal, the Louvre and beyond. She wove together the classic architectural history of Paris with the contemporary buildings and architectural installations.






That evening we attended a vernissage, an art opening, at the Palais de Tokyo. The show “Dynasty” brought together 40 contemporary French artists. The event took place at both the Palais de Tokyo and the Musée d'Art moderne and was packed with contemporary art, fashinistas, and burgeoning artists. Attendees spread onto the outdoor veranda that connects the museums, enjoying the pulsating music, dancing, and bonhomie.