Super-Héros

Today we visited le musée Art Ludique to see the exposition L'Art des Super-Héros - Marvel, an exhibition of comic book artwork from the Marvel studio:  Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Les 4 Fantastiques, le Surfer d'Argent, and so on.  There was a video interview with Stan Lee, now aged in his 90s, writer and original owner of Marvel Comics, in which he talked of the affection he has for the comic characters he created.  Video interviews with other writers/illustrators explained the way that comics reflect the times and provide avenues, especially for young readers, to feel in control of life's events.

The gallery was at Les Docks, a community space built alongside the Seine, close to Gare d'Austerlitz in the 13th arrondissement.  I had read about Les Docks - weekend yoga on the rooftop - a contemporary, industrial-style building on 3 levels providing art and community space.  It was grey and a little cool today, and not much going on at Les Docks, which is probably due to the holidays, but it's an interesting space with a wonderful view of the more industrial end of the Seine.

Welcome break at Jardin des Plantes for lunch.  We visited the Ménagerie at the jardin, which is one of the oldest zoos in the world - established in 1794 during the course of the French Revolution.  At that time, the national assembly decided that exotic animals housed in private homes should be donated to a space where they could live in their natural habitat and the Royal Ménagerie of Queen Marie-Antoinette was moved there.  Well, I don't cope very well with zoos, but most of the animals there are threatened species and the focus is on preservation, breeding and reintroduction, so it was bearable...but I wouldn't have minded taking the Panda roux and some baby mountain goats home with me!

A detour to Le Bon Marché on the way home for the most beautiful millefeuilles for dessert....