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I have been to Barcelona probably around half a dozen times or so. This time however was the first time that I had the pleasure to visit the Casa Mila, Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. I had visited previously the Casa Batllo but never any of the other examples of Gaudi architecture. Most likely because each of the other visits were for business and one occasion where I spent the weekend with a girlfriend and we were completely caught up in shopping mode and didn’t see a single site!

This time in Barcelona, I was with my husband and since he appreciates architecture we spent more time on viewing Guadi work and art galleries than shopping. We only had a weekend so we visited as much as possible without wearing completely out our feet!

Casa Batllo

On our first full day we visited the Casa Batllo and I must say while I had found Gaudi architecture interesting before, I had no understanding of it and thought it was all aesthetic or some really good (or bad, depending on your POV) drugs.

In our visit to the Casa Batllo we discovered that even the university from which he graduated was unsure if he was a genius or a lunatic. Actually as you learn the inspiration behind his ideas you are fascinated by his genius.

Casa Batllo Model

He was fascinated by nature and was therefore inspired by nature in his designs. When you look at his work you can easily see structures which resemble backbone vertebrae, spiral stair cases inspired by shells, tiles inspired by honey cones and columns by bones and trees. When you understand these ideas, you cannot help but think of him as a genius and wonder why more of his ideas were not more widely adapted.

Casa Batllo Spine Inspired

Casa Batllo Tile

If in Barcelona, I would highly recommend a visit to Casa Batllo for education of the ideas and then Casa Mila for the aesthetic appreciation of Gaudi architecture.

Casa Batllo Terrace Chimney

The Pompidou as you know if you follow this blog is one of my favourite museums in Paris.

The first Sunday of every month, the Pompidou along with all the other national museums in Paris are free. Our plan was to wake up early and get into the Pompidou before the crowds.

Just as we were arriving at the street where the Pompidou is located we noticed that the street had been shut down by the national police. We assumed that it was just for a motorcade of some sort and went around the blocked off street.

Pompidou Photographers

As we arrived at the front of the museum we noticed that no one was being allowed down the hill to the entrance, again blocked off by the national police. I approached one of them and asked what was going on. He replied that it was closed due to a visit from the “American President” (in French of course). I asked when it would be open and he replied in the afternoon.

Front of the Pompidou

Well we had hoped to get in during the morning and I had not planned anything else until lunch time. We decided to wait for a while and have a coffee on one of the cafes out front in Beaubourg. Finally the national police allowed everyone to go to the front of the museum. The crowds rushed to the front and of course there was a big line up. We decided to skip it and come back later in the evening where there would likely be less people.

We had lunch at my favourite falafel restaurant in the Marais, Las Fallafel.

Las Fallafel

After lunch we walked to the Louvre and enjoyed a couple hours there instead.

In the evening we walked back to the Pompidou and were happy to see the crowds had left. We did make the mistake however of not purchasing a ticket for the special exhibitions so we had to go back down to the reception and purchase our tickets. At 12 euros each and headsets at 5 euros each this was no longer a free evening.

We started with the Kandinsky exhibition and while I did like it, I admit I don’t get it! We then moved on to the Calder exhibition and completely enjoyed it.

Alexander Calder is an American sculptor who worked with wire as his medium. Born in 1898 he first trained as an engineer and then as an artist. His career as an artist really took off when he arrived in Paris in 1926. The exhibition at the Pompidou focuses on his work during his time in Paris.

Calder Fish Bowl

Facinating work, really worth a visit. It is truly amazing how realistic Calder can make objects look with a few simple telephone wires.