Jour du Patrimoine

France, and apparently all of Europe, has this wonderful annual tradition called le jour du patrimoine, or "heritage day."  On these days lots of museums, consulates, and government department buildings open their doors to the public for free - there are guided tours, talks, and concerts.

This weekend I went to the Palais Bourbon, home of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of French parliament. 

Assemblée Nationale

Also in the Assemblée Nationale is the Hôtel de Lassay, which is the home of the President of the Assemblée Nationale, Bernard Accoyer.  He may be older than my father and married, but I would overlook all that if I could live in the Hôtel de Lassay with him.

The only word I got is...

...splendor!

But my favorite thing was the library!

Palais-Royal. No big deal.

Molière fell sick and died after performing Le Malade imaginaire in this room.

You say formal wear, I say normal wear!

Display of opera costumes from bygones past.

Surprised to be falling in love with mushrooms,

Maria