Born in Lexington, Virginia in 1928, Cy Twombly has lived in Italy since the late 1950s His artistic influence has clearly remained global. In 2001, Twombly received the prestigious “Golden Lion” award at the Venice Biennale. The Centre Pompidou presented a retrospective of the artist’s graphic works in 2004, And commemorating Twombly’s 80^th birthday in 2008, the Tate Modern presented a major retrospective of the artist’s work, including nearly 400 paintings, drawings and sculptures- an exhibition that traveled to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in 2009. And so it came to be that a committee of international experts selected Twombly to paint this ceiling.

For the Salle des Bronzes, Twombly’s work will be painted in oil on strips of connected canvas, which will then be glued to the ceiling. It’s a process known as marouflage, which was common in Europe in 16th to 19th centuries. Unlike most famous ceilings including Michelangelo’s at the Sistine Chapel, Twombly’s work will be simple, and likely not romanticized. That’s not to say that Twombly’s work doesn’t stir the soul. In fact, in 2007 police arrested a woman who kissed an all-white Twombly painting with red lipstick.

It’s springtime in Paris. Incredible art, impeccable wine, and always good conversation. Won’t you join in?

• Getting There: Once you’re in Paris, the subway stations Palais Royal – Musee du Louvre or Tuileries can take you to The Louvre.
• Museum Hours: Open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Psst: Why wait on line for tickets? With the Paris Pass enjoy priority admission and free access to 50 museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris, at no extra charge.

So what exactly are toys doing here?

From now through May 9, 2010, you’re invited to celebrate the 35th birthday of Playmobil with the exhibit “Il était une fois Playmobil” (Once upon a time there was Playmobil). These enduring, cherished, 3-inch figurines that have captured the imagination of children and adults alike. Playmobil’s playful, plastic worlds of make believe give you the chance to be a Viking, a pirate, a circus ringmaster or any one of over 1,000 characters. Imagine that – feeling like you’re bigger than life even though you’re the size of a pointer finger.

You know, we think Napoleon would approve.

For priority admission with no waiting in lines and free access to 50 museums look into the Paris Pass.

Getting there: Subway Stations to the Museum  Palais Royal – Musee du Louvre – Pyramides – Tuileries
Museum Hours: Open daily (except Mondays) Tuesday – Friday 11am until 6pm,  Saturday – Sunday 10am until 6pm and on Thursdays evening hours until 9pm

Address:  Les Arts Decoratifs 107, rue de Rivoli – 75001 Paris

At the stunning and historic Palais de la Découverte (Parisian museum of discovery and Sciences), a one-of-a-kind show is on display. “La faim des Dinosaures” (The Hunger of Dinosaurs) is filled with – pardon the pun – easy to digest information about what dinosaurs really chomped on in the day. The fab four are included: Brachiosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Velociraptor, and of course, the always dominant T-Rex. There’s even discussion of the only dinosaur whose diet is still unknown: the Oviraptor.

You’ll see life-like animated models and life-sized reconstructions of skeletons, and even a replica of an archeological dig site. Get a true sense of scale and a renewed respect for the world’s first and hungriest terminators. It’s an exhibit sure to engage both adults and children. Hurry – this show becomes extinct on May 2, 2010.

See the  “The Hunger of Dinosaurs”with no waiting in line with the  Paris Pass, which gives priority admission and free access to 50 museums and  unlimited travel in select zones on a variety of transport.

Getting there:  Subway Stations to Palais de la découverte – Champs Elysees – Clemenceau – Franklin-D.-Roosevelt

Adress:  1, rue de la Legion d’honneur – 75007 Paris

Titled “Crime et châtiment” (Crime and Punishment), this exhibit covers nearly 200 years — from the time politician Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau called for the abolition of the death penalty in France through September 30, 1981, the date when the bill was passed.

With artworks from Goya to Picasso, the show depicts with graphic emotion the violent history of criminal behavior as well as man’s response to it – be it guillotine or garrote. This show uses not only paintings, but also literature and music to capture the beginnings and endings of evil.

Highlights include the anguish of Paul Cézanne’s “The Strangled Woman” and French Romanticist Theodore Gericault’s “La Monomane.” This mind-opening experience will leave you wondering: Should we judge? Can we?

For easy access and no waiting in lines consider the Paris Pass, which gives priority and free access to museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris.

Getting there: Transportation to the Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) – Metro: Solferino – RER C Station: Musee d’Orsay
Museum Hours: Open daily (except Mondays) 9:30am – 6pm.  Evening hours Thursday until 9:45pm

Address:  62, rue de Lille – 75007 Paris

Zero fees. How’s that for getting on the right track? Free shipping on all orders. Book Now!

Introducing a new way to connect with Rail Europe. For our friends in Canada and Mexico, you can now purchase tickets on your country’s dedicated website and www.raileurope.mx and www.raileurope.com/fr/, plus read in your choice of English, Spanish or French.

Featuring the same state-of-the-art online functionality as our American-version — www.raileurope.com (which is also available in Spanish and French), these sites let you plan a rail-cation even before packing your bags. You’ll still find the most extensive information available on European destinations and rail products. Plus, you’ll become fully immersed in the European experience via our interactive tools.

Want to talk to someone over the phone? We continue to offer toll-free numbers that allow you to speak to someone directly in French or Spanish.

Join us on the journey, le voyage, el viaje, and see why more travelers choosing rail.

Book between February 16 – April 7, 2010* and enjoy this special 20% discount in Leisure Select class (which is just fancy wording for “first class”) on any Eurostar route. Tickets start at just $146**. This offer is subject to availability so don’t wait too long to book. Springtime in Paris is right around the corner.

·    Valid for travel from March 16 – August 31, 2010.   Leisure Select Class only.
·    ** Per person, one way. Tickets are non refundable.  Book your Eurostar trip Now!

Maybe it’s because I was raised in the burbs, but I’ve always known there was much more to my country than the ever-popular, culturally liberal city of Amsterdam. City dwellers who want to unwind know that just 30 minutes away by train there’s a place to relax that’s “shaped” by history. And it’s much more than tulips and windmills.

The northern fisher towns of Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Medemblik, also know as the “Historic Triangle”, blossomed during the time of the Dutch East India Company. A journey through these towns by steam train and boat make for a unique and unforgettable experience. At least, this is what my out-of-town guests claimed after a post-wedding trip I had arranged for them on this route.

We began our adventure in Hoorn. Trains run from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Hoorn every 30 minutes. Out the window, especially in April, the landscape is an explosion of color – blooming flowers in North Holland. In fact, it’s the most important flower producing area in all of The Netherlands.

The town’s picturesque historic center is paved with cobblestone streets, antique houses and a beautiful port. What I wanted most to do was take our guests to Hoofdtoren, a cozy restaurant in a 500-year-old defense tower. Popular with the locals and tourists alike, you can sample specialties like mussels and ale, plus herring either raw or pickled. To my surprise – our guests went for the raw herring. It went down pretty easily with a pint of local beer.

From Hoorn we traveled 20 minutes by conventional Dutch rolling stock to Enkhuizen. The town is home to the open-air Zuiderzee Museum. This recreation of an actual fishing village in the 19th century gives visitors a unique opportunity to live the life of a sailor over 100 years ago. I think the kids in our group liked this best!

Our last stop on the “triangle” was to Medemblik – and we arrived by boat. On this journey, we crossed part of the IJsselmeer, a modern marvel. This expanse of water turns from salty to fresh thanks to a manmade dike that connects North Holland with the province Groningen.

A must see in Medemblik is the 13th century Radboud Castle, situated next to the IJsselmeer. In fact, I felt it was so beautiful, we had our wedding there. On site, there’s a museum with exhibitions, which our guests loved exploring. Our wedding toast was held in the Knight’s Hall – perfect for my groom in shining armor. From Medemblik, our wedding party returned to Hoorn in style – aboard an early 1900’s vintage steam train. On board, we were served a local treat called poffertjes, which is like a small pancake with butter and powdered sugar. Our guests are still talking about them! Everyone got off the steam train, and boarded a conventional train back to Amsterdam, taking with them memories of their Dutch getaway off the beaten path and into history – The Netherlands’, and ours.

Quoted as being one of the most romantic getaway cities, Paris truly is a wonderful city to spend time with your sweetheart. Each year, thousands of hands are asked in marriage at the Eiffel Tower, topping our list of romantic activities to do on your visit here! With a Paris Visite pass and Museum Pass, a Paris Pass,  or a special Wine tour, you can make the time you spend in Paris with your loved one, unbelievably romantic and memorable!

For this post, we have put together our top 10 romantic activities for you to do on your next trip to Paris. Of course, there are countless other activities but these are some of our favorites, enjoy!

10. Stroll through the Latin Quarter, hand-in-hand with your sweetheart. Treat yourselves to a traditionally French meal at any one of the fine restaurants that surround the area (at a fraction of the cost compared to the really fancy places found in the heart of Paris!).

9. Take a relaxing walk along the Seine while sharing a warm crêpe (filled with strawberries, or chocolate perhaps!). Stop and have your picture drawn or painted by one of the talented artists that fill the sidewalk. A few Euros for the drawing will be worth the masterpiece you bring home, with the love you share captured, forever, in the artist’s work.

8. Treat yourselves to a day in Strasbourg. Using a France Railpass, hop aboard the TGV and embark on your romantic journey. The train offers fantastic scenery to add ambiance to your trip – that is if you can keep your eyes off each other! Meander through the streets of Strasbourg taking in the German-French culture, a total transformation from what you see in Paris. A great city to spend a day in, and you can get there by train in just over 2 hours!

7. Indulge in a wine and cheese tasting lunch together. Learn what makes a bottle of wine a good bottle. Savor the wine along with some delectable cheeses and breads. Don’t forget to take notes as you may have an upcoming special event or occasion that you’ll want a good bottle of fancy French wine served at!

6. Take some time wandering down the long halls of the Louvre, embracing the magnificent work that fills the museum. Make a point of viewing the Mona Lisa and playfully debate the mood of the subject as well as who is being portrayed in the painting. Is it the artist’s lover? Self-portrait? You be the judge!

5. Hop on the RER with your Paris Visite Pass and head to the Palace of Versailles. Here you can have a look around the golden palace. Stroll at your leisure through the amazing gardens. Then be sure to gaze upon yourselves in the renowned Hall of Mirrors. Don’t forget to snap some pictures of the gorgeous fountains; they’ll make a nice addition to your photo album!

4. Stop by the Hotel Concorde La Fayette (with a reservation, of course!) and dine in the panoramic bar. Enjoy fantastically prepared food that is the perfect accent to the stunning views of Paris set before you. This will be a night all of your friends will be envious of when you return home!

3. Embark on a fabulous Tour of Paris with the luxury of hopping on and off at your leisure. Stop by sights such as l’Opéra, Notre-Dame, Champs Elysées, Trocadero and many more. A wonderful ending to this day of discovery would be a walk back to Trocadero to catch a glimpse of the city, twinkling with lights. From this vantage point you can snap some amazing shots of you and your love with the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance.

2. Delight in a wonderfully romantic dinner cruise along the Seine River. Watch notable attractions pass by as you and your special someone float on your own piece of paradise. Along with breathtaking scenery, you’ll enjoy a terrific meal, prepared by Chef Yves Gras of the French Culinary Academy, presented with a fine assortment of wine and cheese. Live music fills the vessel and you can enjoy a special moment on the dance floor. The evening ends at the base of the Eiffel Tower…it doesn’t get more romantic then that!

Topping off our Top 10 most romantic activities to do while in Paris list involves a climb up the Eiffel Tower. For years, Paris has been synonymous with love, and the Eiffel Tower always seems to emit that certain je ne sais quoi, “romantic vibe”…

1. There is no better way to conclude your tour of Paris than to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower with the one you love. Stare out across the city and embrace the vision before you. Take your partner in your arms and practice the fine art of kissing (which the French have perfected as well as they have wine making!). Not married or engaged? There’s no time like the present to pop the question! If you’ve already crossed that bridge,  simply enjoy the moment. Do whatever you need to do to ensure you will never forget the way you feel at that very moment!

Whether you’ve experienced some of the things on our list or not, one thing is for certain, you don’t need to look very hard for romance in Paris. Do whatever you think will be special, feel free to use some of our ideas or create your very own magical memories!

And remember, it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to share tender moments with the one you love!

We want to express our thanks to everyone who participated in our Twitter Your Way to France with TGV, the High-Speed Train contest. This exciting contest began on December 14th and ran each weekday until December 24th. We tested the knowledge of our followers on the TGV. Each day, a TGV trivia question was tweeted at 3pm Eastern Time. One hour was given for entrants to submit their answer. At 4pm, the daily contest closed and the day’s winners were announced.

Each day, after the race against the clock to submit the right answer, the first five people to tweet the correct answer were deemed the winners for that day. These winners were awarded with a $200 credit to be used toward the purchase of a TGV train ticket, allowing them to experience the excitement of the TGV for themselves. All correct tweets submitted during the span of the contest were entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Meaning, even if a follower was not one of the first five to answer correctly, they still had a shot at the Grand Prize–a trip to France for two!

Congratulations to all of our winners and thanks for making our TGV contest such a great success! We hope that everyone gained not only some TGV knowledge, but the desire to travel by TGV on your next visit to France! Be sure to follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all European rail travel, and future contests and promotions!