Tuesday 27 May 2014

Paris and the Musée d’Armée


I always enjoy visiting battlefields which I'm trying to wargame. For various reasons, I’ve not yet been to Verdun. My wife felt that it was not really a very “child friendly” location, and on balance I think she might be right. So, in February this year, I took the family to Paris for a few days. Not Verdun, but splendidly French all the same.

By way of posting some lovely shots of a wintry Paris on this blog – which are always pretty easy on the eye – here’s some memories of a wonderful trip earlier this year.

Paris … city of lights, champagne and the destination of choice for the German Army for close on one hundred years…



I’ve always liked the statue of Louis XIV in front of the Louvre. It’s the perfect classical image of the baroque monarch – energetic, dynamic, exemplary, self-conscious, triumphant. All qualities which made it so easy for his enemies to portray the great French monarch as arrogant and tyrannical as they assembled their Grand Alliances against him.


Gazing on the wonders of nineteenth century French art is a fine way to pass any afternoon…




…although some of the images being mounted in front of construction sites in Paris are equally distracting.






The children enjoyed to Montmartre where they were slightly bemused by what on earth was going on….


….before heading to the Tomb of Napoleon and the Musée d’Armée.






Probably the most photographed FT-17 in the world….


....some wonderful paintings of the Franco-Prussian War...






Le Soixante-Quinze....reminding me that I have to finish my 28mm versions.....




Mobile warfare 1914 style...





Some excellent French tank crew helmets which I hadn't seen before...





A great example of what a French field telephone should look like...


...Little Toads....(or corguettes)...


...and here's one for Padre Mike Petersen - an excellent French priest's uniform, complete with a very fine Holy Communion valise. If only someone would make one of these in 28mm....please.....it would make the perfect scenario complement to the Homme Soupes on many a wargames table!!



Some excellent uniforms for the Tirailleurs Senegalais...




...and some troubling examples of Horizon Bleu...which did, indeed, look very very blue!



Here were hundreds of other photos, but my guess if that the last thing you want to see if pictures of my children behaving badly on French open-topped tour buses. So I'll leave you with this quite pleasant one of an evening sky in Paris in February, 2014.

36 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures, I love Paris and have been meaning to go back for many years. I really like Napoleon's tomb and the fact that it really demonstrates the humility of the man...

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    1. Thanks Alex. He really was a shrinking violet, wasn't he. Very much like that other shy, retiring, modest gentleman, Napoleon III....

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  3. Terrific photos! I really enjoy seeing others' travels. Your photos brought back memories of my Paris visit more than a decade ago.

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  4. Delightful pictures. Thank you. I'm pleased you and your family had a good time!

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    1. It was a great little break, thanks Peter. The kids really liked Paris. I didn't post the bazillion photos they made me take of the Eiffel Tower.....

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  5. Splendid, thanks for sharing, it's been too many years since I last visited Paris and the Musee

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    1. Thanks Will! Great to hear from you! Time for you to plan another visit!

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  6. Great pictures, it been a long time since I have visited Paris, reminds to do do it again

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    1. Shame on you, Dave....you need to book a trip to go again!

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  7. That museum looks splendid! Maybe you could sculpt the priest's portable altar? Doesn't look impossible...

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    1. The Musee d'Armee is fab, Simon. You'd love it. (See also Curt's post below). I am figuring out the priest's communion valise for one o my summer projects with the help of Brigade Games' Italian priest model....

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  8. Ah, memories! It's been too long since I was in Paris. I did visit the Musee d'Armee but the 1870 exhibit was closed for refurbishment. Oh well, next time. Thanks for sharing the photos.

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    1. My pleasure, AJ. Hope you can make it over soon, as the Franco-Prussian War galleries are very good.

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  9. Damn nice pictures, "Paris … city of lights, champagne and the destination of choice for the German Army for close on one hundred years…..I liked that comment as well!

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    1. Thanks Fran! Who doesn't enjoy marching on Paris, I ask you ?!?

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    2. Thanks Fran.....Who doesn't enjoy marching on Paris, after all.....

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  10. Great pictures, I visited the Musee d'Armee a few years ago, it really is worth a visit!!

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    1. It's a great museum, Ray. Hope your kids enjoyed it as well as mine did!

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  11. Did you manage to get through the museum shop without spending a fortune? Their collection, especially in French language books are quite impressive on the Second Empire, for which I have a certain faiblesse. Lovely pictures from the exhibition, and the mausoleum!

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    1. I was dragged out of the bookshop before buying anything as we were late arriving, and the children wanted to see things. They did have an awful lot of a very nice books, though.....

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  12. Great looking pic, I was at this same place a few days ago!

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  13. Great photos. Have not been to Paris for many years, got close six years ago, well was at Disneyland!

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  14. Sydney, what marvelous shots. There's nothing like seeing real artifacts to get a bearing on colors and find inspiration for new vignettes and scenarios. Makes me want to paint up that plastic bag of poilus I have tucked away somewhere. Horizon blue would make a nice change from feld grau or khaki.

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    1. Thanks Digger! Give Horizon Bleu a go.....its a fun colour to try and get right. Just don't have nightmares trying to match the paint to anything in a cabinet!

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  15. Lovely photos Sidney! The Renault taxi is a favourite of mine. It's funny as we were just at the Musee d' Armee today, enjoying the new 'Musketeers' exhibit. It was superb and highly recommend it. I have to admit I spent faaaar too much on books though - I need another bag just to schlep all this stuff back home!

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    1. Aha!!!! I guessed you might persuade Sarah she just had to see the Invalides and the Musee d'Armee! I was limited to one gallery only as (a) the children were getting tired and hungry, and (b) it was late when we got there. I dearly wish we could have done the 17th Century part, but there's always next time. Does that make a full score of book you have collected on your travels :)

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  16. Hi Adam,

    absolutely great pictures.
    That reminds me to visit Paris and the Musée de L'Armée soon. Actually my wife has been having Paris on her list for ages but I found it too... well... French until now and prefered the British isles... ;-)

    Cheers
    Stefan

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    1. Being too French is something which the French do very well, Stefan:) I'm convinced my French friends become additionally Gallic when I'm out with them!

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  17. Very nice photos and the Franco Prussian images have confirmed my own guess work for the French uniforms. If you need an excuse to visit Verdun, say you're going on few nice country walks. The area reminded me of Cannock Chase - just tell the kids not to pick anything up as there is still a fair amount of razor sharp (and sometimes explosive) material lying around. Always add a little excitement to any holiday.

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    1. I have heard that Verdun is really a pleasant town, and that the countryside around is lovely. The re-forestation has made the area look very verdant. It was the idea of unexploded gas shells which I think put Mrs Roundwood off, however! I'd love to get down to Verdun, Belfort, Metz and Sedan one day, though....

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