Bonne Année 2011!

We started the morning off with the almond croissants that we bought last night at Bon Marché...amazing! This afternoon we spent at the Centre George Pompidou, the world's second largest collection of contemporary art. This modern building — with its color-coded mechanical systems highly visible on the exterior — has become an icon of modern architecture. Within, the museum has an impressive collection of French and international modern and contemporary art and design from 1914 to the present, including impressive holdings by Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and the Surrealists. My favorites were the permanent pieces they have on hold located on the second level. The picture below is an example.

Le Centre George Pompidou

The current exhibitions were a little too simple for my taste. After the museum, we made our way home to get ready for the night ahead. Mark's friend from London, Anne-Noël, invited us over for dinner at her apartment, which is located right beside the Panthéon and has views overlooking the bright streets of Paris. As an appetizer, Ramzi put together red pepper crostini with herbed goat cheese and hazelnut oil; as a first course the girls made creme brulée a la fois-gras with roquette salad; as a main course we had mango scallop risotto; and for dessert they bought a cream cake from one of Paris' most renowned patisseries, Le Notre. All in all one of the most memorable meals I've ever had. After dinner we made our way to a house party just around the corner from l'Arc de Triomphe. As the countdown drew closer, we filled our glasses and watched the clock anxiously. Ten, nine, eight...three, two, one...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Another year gone, and a great one at that. I once heard that the value of the year is measured on how many times you laughed and cried. I think I did a lot of both this year, and I look forward to another great year ahead. Happy New Year, everyone! Bonne Année, a tout!

Love,
Alexis