On Day Four of my Rick Steves Heart of France tour, we were to visit The Louvre – the museum housing the largest collection of art and historical artifacts on Earth. I’d been there before, and yes, I’d seen the Mona Lisa, which was underwhelming. This time, unlike the rest of my group, I was on a mission to see one exhibit only – one which I had learned held a painting of a famous distant cousin – a member of my Clan Kirkpatrick – the Famous Empress Eugenie de Montijo – born as María Eugenia Ignacia Agustina de Palafox y Kirkpatrick.
Prior to my visit to France, I’d been in touch with several guides. When I told them I was doing family research on the Kirkpatricks, they all said I must go to the Louvre because there is a painting of a Kirkpatrick clan member there! I couldn’t imagine. But that was when they told me about the Empress. She was wife to Napoleon III in the mid-19th Century, and was instrumental in French politics as well as fashion, art, and the re-shaping of the Paris landscape into what we see today. I had NO idea! They insisted I go to the Louvre and visit the Napoleon III Apartments. These apartments were built to house foreign diplomats when visiting Paris.
We met our local guide, Sylvie, who took us on a walk on the neighborhood near The Louvre, and then we wound up there. When I told her I was a Kirkpatrick she knew exactly what I was looking for. Then, once inside the museum, I asked some staff for directions. When I told them I was a Kirkpatrick I got a reaction I will never forget as long as I live. It was like a combination of respect, awe and wonder. It was as if I was in America and I was a relative of George Washington! They kind of snapped to. Before I could mention Napoleon II Apartments they knew exactly what I wanted to see and took me up there! Who, me? It was from this point on Paris was a different kind of place, for outside, on the streets, I knew the sights I saw were built by her and Napoleon III and their architect Haussmann. Holy cow. OK, these are images from the Napoleon III Apartments!
They even had some of her over-the-top royal gowns!
Here are pictures of the Grand Salon for the diplomats, and the official table at which they ate official meals!
I was pretty overwhelmed. Not just looking at these things, it was the times and the history! After the Louvre mission, I was done for my day. I headed back to my hotel in Montmartre and the nearby cafe. I called it a day!
Cabin Fever Chronicles - Getting Outdoors with Rod 