Tour Eiffel, UNESCO, and Basilique Ste-Clotilde

We woke up early on Friday morning in order to beat the crowds to that Parisian icon, La Tour Eiffel (the Eiffel Tower).  Since the sky was nice and clear, we could see almost the entire city skyline, including the ferris wheel on the Champs-Elysees and Notre Dame near where we are staying.

Following our touristy excursion we walked through the Champ de Mars to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) building in Paris, the site of our daytime concert.  Upon arriving we were given a tour of the UNESCO's collection of artistic and architectural works, including sculptures by Henry Moore and Alexander Calder, the Japanese Gardens (complete with an acoustically perfect meditation chamber), the largest Picasso ever painted, and the only downward sloping V-shaped roof in existence.  The United States delegate opened our set with his remarks, and we closed it with an electrifying encore.

Following our concert we walked or took the train to the Musee d'Orsay on the bank of the Seine.  Once a huge train station, the Musee now displays an impressive collection of French art from about 1850 - 1915.  It is especially well known for its collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art, representing painters like Monet, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.

It was just a short walk from the museum to our next concert venue, the Basilique Ste-Clotilde.  It is an impressive space both inside and out, with two imposing spires, beautiful white stone interiors, and a massive organ built by the famous Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.  With the amazing acoustics, it was a very special concert for the Glee Club.

Stay tuned for news on our adventures in Chartre!