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.

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

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!

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!

Reaching Brussels is quite easy if you’re in London, Paris or Amsterdam (just to name a few). Eurostar and Thalys services provide high-speed travel to Brussels with numerous connections daily. Traveling to Brussels from London, Paris or Amsterdam allows you to depart the city center and arrive right in the heart of Brussels.

You might expect Brussels to be busy and congested, but the opposite is true. Despite its international stature, Brussels retains an Old World ambiance that inspires a relaxed appreciation of its charms.

You’ll find much to see and do in Brussels, including museum hopping and carefree shopping! The city is known for its museums – there are over seventy! Shopping opportunities abound, as well, and you’ll have no trouble locating anything you might want-including those world-famous Belgian chocolates!

Brussels is also the place for foodies. Whether you want to sample the country’s traditional dishes or taste-tempting entrées from around the world, you can take your pick of over 3,000 restaurants – you’d need at least eight years to enjoy them all!

Brussels’ attractions are delightfully diverse. Take in the Bruegel and Rubens masterpieces at the Museum of Ancient Art, or ponder the Magrittes, Dalis, and other works at the underground Museum of Modern Art.

Venture into the futuristic landmark Atomium. Chat at a mock Venetian café at Mini-Europe. Meet Napoleon’s Waterloo at the notorious battlefield a few miles south of the city.

Brussels nightlife holds promise, too. There are bars, pubs, and clubs in every part of town. What else would you expect from a country that enjoys over 400 brands of beer?! Even the region’s Trappist monks brew some popular, truly delicious ales. Grab a mug and a heaping plate of moules (mussels), like the Bruxellois do!

Brussels is very upscale-prices rival those of New York and London-but savvy shoppers can always find great value. When dining, for example, try the prix fixe menus. Or go ahead and splurge-it isn’t often you’re able to enjoy cuisine of this caliber.

Visitors can also revel in Brussels’ lively arts such as first-rate opera, ballet, symphony, and theater performances.

Brussels enjoys a strong economy and great quality of life. When you walk the cobblestone streets past its tidy shops and cozy pubs, you’ll sense its special elegance.

Start 2010 off in Brussels, at the heart of the city, in the Grand-Place. This is the city’s magnificent medieval square. Then set off in any direction – you’ll find delights everywhere you go!

For those who are interested in, or collectors of cars, motorcycles, SUVs and scooters, Brussels will be the host city to the European Motor Show. From January 14th, 2010 to the 24th, you can experience the Auto Moto Salon (formally known as the European Motor Show). The show will be held at the Brussels Expo, it will focus its attention on light commercial vehicles, but will also feature numerous automotive debuts, scooter and motorcycle displays and even a 4×4 track for visitors to test the new crop of SUVs!  If you’d like more information on this motor show, click here.

Visit the Beglium Tourist Office for more information on what to see and do while traveling in Belgium.

If you’d prefer not to drive in France, a France Rail Pass provides you with unlimited travel on the entire French rail system. With services such as the TGV, trains can take you where you want to go.

It’s best to take the train from Paris to Rouen or Caen. Rouen can be reached by TGV in about an hour and a half. Caen is just over a 2-hour trip by train.

Rouen is the capital of Normandy, and the 5th largest port in France. Victor Hugo once called Rouen “the city of a hundred spires”. Most of these spires were destroyed during WWII. After the war however, crafts and talents from the Middle Ages once again emerged and aided in the reconstruction of the city.

The Rue du Gros-Horloge, in Rouen, is the “street of the Great Clock”. This street is named for the ornate gilt renaissance clock that can be found mounted on the arch. The clock is Rouen’s most popular monument.

Pay a visit to Place du Vieux-Marche, site of Joan of Arc’s execution. She was killed for heresy. Joan was tied to a stake and burned in 1431. Her ashes were gathered and spread in the River Seine. Visitors can pay homage to a monument in her honor, it can be found in the square. Be sure to take note of the bronze cross on the statue, the cross marks the position of St. Joan’s stake.

Don’t miss the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. This Cathedral has been immortalized through Monet’s paintings. Notre Dame is a gorgeous cathedral which underwent some reconstruction after WWII. Inside this revered house of worship you will find entombed, the heart of Richard the Lion-Hearted. It was given to the cathedral as a token of his affection for the people of Rouen.

Caen is situated on the banks of the Orne. This port city suffered great damage in 1944 during the Invasion of Normandy. About three-quarters of the buildings in Caen were destroyed during the war, 10,000 in total. Today, Caen has been built back up and is a very cosmopolitan city. Be sure to stop by the Caen Memorial, it can be found 10 minutes away from the Pegasus Bridge and a mere fifteen minutes from the landing beaches.

Honfleur, Deauville, and Trouville are some other stops along the Normandy coast that you will want to make.

Honfleur is a quaint and charming port. It is a nice place to stop and have a look around. Many boutiques and galleries can be visited in this city. A perfect setting for an afternoon lunch.

Deauville has been dubbed as Paris’ 21st arrondissement. Located on the Touques River, this very rich and hip city is where Coco Chanel launched her career. Take some time and have a look around the city, once you’ve seen it all, cross the bridge to Trouville.

On the other side of the Touques River you will find Trouville, neighbor to Deauville. This city is much more low-key and less expensive than it’s neighbor. Trouville has more the feel of a fishing port, similar to Honfleur, but containing fewer boutiques and art galleries.

You certainly can’t visit Normandy without making a trip to Mont-St. Michel! This island Abbey is surrounded by massive walls that measure more than half a mile around. The island masterpiece is connected to the shore by a causeway, crowning the rocky islet at the border of Normandy and Brittany, standing 256 feet high. You can explore this amazing island on your own, or check with the local tourist office for guided tours available. If you go, make sure you visit La Mere Poulard. It is a must especially if you are a fan of the omelet! Established in 1888, the omelets made here are tantalizing! They are more like soufflés.

And probably the most sought-after destination in Normandy is of course, the infamous D-Day beaches. Most of us are, in one way or another, related to someone that stood on these beaches in 1944.

Start your tour of the D-Day beaches at Arromanches-Les-Bains. See where the 50th British Division took over.

Move along the coast and arrive at Omaha Beach. This beach is probably the most notable. Still visible today on this beach, is the wreckage from the invasion. Men of the 1st and 29th American Divisions occupied the shores of Omaha Beach. Take a moment to pay tribute to the monument commemorating the heroism of the invaders.

On 173 acres of Omaha Beach you will find the Normandy American Cemetery. Here the ground is filled with Crosses and Stars of David in Lasa marble. The remains of 9,386 American soldiers can be found here. The cemetery is now owned by the United States, it was a gift from the French Nation. You can pay your respects at the cemetery daily, from 9am-5pm.

Continue along the coast until you reach the jagged lime cliffs of Pointe du Hoc. Here you will find a cross honoring a group of American Rangers. These men scaled the cliffs using hooks to get at the gun emplacements (pillboxes). The wounds of the war, here, are more visible than on any other point along the beach.

Just go a bit farther down the coast and you’ll arrive at Utah Beach. This is where the 4th U.S. Infantry Division landed early that morning. They landed just under two miles south of their intended landing destination. The Infantry had cleared the beach by midday, and today on the beach you can find a U.S. monument commemorating their heroism and victory.

The other three beaches involved in Operation Overlord (Normandy Invasion) were Juno Beach, Sword Beach, and Gold Beach. These, along with Omaha and Utah beach, are all found on the shores of the Normandy coastline.

Normandy is rich in history, history that not only remains in US books, but worldwide. If you have not been to this region yet, go today. Don’t let another day go by. Visit the beaches, and see where history was made. Pay homage to those who fought, and those who lost their lives. Though the exact number of those killed during the invasion will never be known, visit Normandy today to pay your respects to all.

Stand on the somber shores where Operation Overlord occurred; open your mind up to places you have only read about in history books. Take a walk through Normandy’s ominous past, then indulge in all the beauty and culture that thrives throughout the region today.

Those Veterans who returned from Normandy after the war have taken trips to the region to see it once more, on better terms. It is a very emotional journey for them, for obvious reasons, yet many find comfort and closure in the visit.

Landed at CDG in Paris and used my France Rail Pass to board the RER train 30 minutes into the city center. Surprised as to how easy it was to get into Paris! I must say I was a little worried, good to keep in mind for future stop overs in Paris.

Then a guided tour of The Louvre by City Rama – our guide showed us the highlights, which were a tourist’s delight.

Afternoon: Touring Paris by bike or Paris a Velo is an experience! Biked to the 19th arrondissement and rode past Edith Piaf’s house! The tour takes you off the beaten path to explore the real Paris with lots of local flavor.

Day 2 Love, Love, Love Parisian Trains

Morning: Used Paris Visite Card to take the metro from my hotel the Lutetia to Gare de L’est where I boarded the TGV Est to Champagne. Arrived at Reims (great Cathedral!), to the heart of Champagne in 45 mins – love the TGV!

Noon:  Sampled some champagne at a little bar called Comme Champagne in Epernay – a guided taste tour of Champagnes for only 17 Euro. Best 17 Euros or $20 I’ve spent in a while.

Afternoon: Visited a family owned Champagne house called Jacquesson – the owner Jean-Herve Chiquet gave us a tour of his vineyards and his cellars – what great champagne they make!

Evening: Met with Philippe Wibrotte of the Comite Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne – he can answer all your questions about champagne. Took the slow train home from Epernay to Paris – needed the hour on board to sit back, gaze out the window & reflect on my once in a lifetime day.

Day 3 At the destination stations

Morning: Used my Paris Visite Card & took the metro to Gare du Nord. Had the fast and comfortable experience of crossing the English Channel via Eurostar. Arrived in London 2 hrs and 15 mns later. The timing just felt like I was taking a commuter train and not going to a whole other country. Make sure you travel at a meal time – meals included in price of Leisure Select and Business class tickets, the food is actually worth it.

Afternoon: spent some time enjoying St Pancras – the “destination station” Now I see why everyone keeps calling it that.  More champagne..the station has Europe’s largest champagne bar.

Day 4 At London’s Langham Hotel (very posh)

London’s Langham Hotel reopened just months ago – beautifully refurbished and the food and service were excellent.

Day 5 Markets and Virgins (trains that is)

Just when I thought I’d seen everything London had to offer, I discovered the Borough market – take a guided tour by Celia Brooks Brown an American now living in London, her tour is such a treat. Save some time to shop, taste and explore the gourmet treasures of this charming old London market.

I always enjoyed the Virgin flights to London and now I can say I also enjoy the Virgin train experience from London to England’s North country. Had a freshly cooked breakfast on board the London/Manchester train – its a comfortable, quick and easy train ride with a BritRail Pass.

Day 6 Perfect ending with Tea at Betty’s of York

In some ways the best part of the trip! Took a train from Manchester to York. Took a walking tour of the city, along the old city walls, the Shambles, Mulberry Hall is a great place to shop. I learned that according to Medieval law it is still legal for a man from York to defend his city from a Scotsman by shooting at him with a bow & arrow!

Afternoon tea at Betty’s of York – a MUST for all visitors. The line is always out the door, so be prepared to wait, but it is so worth it! Try their scones with jam and clotted cream and don’t leave without one of their fruit cakes!

We strove to provide you with the highest level of detail and accuracy and we certainly hope you’ll find this tool helpful in planning your next trip to Europe.  We really think this map is one of kind and we spent countless hours aggregating geographical data from multiple sources in order to paint a comprehensive picture of the extent of the European rail network.

This should help you figure out the many destinations that you can reach across 50 countries and inspire you to see more of Europe than you thought was possible.

Here are some sample travel time for some of our flagship routes:

• Paris to London is only 2 hrs 15 minutes
• Paris to Brussels is only 1hr 17 minute
• London to Brussels is only 1 hr 51 minutes

This map is a first iteration and we are looking forward to bringing more enhancements and functionalities in the future. In the meantime, give our map a test run and tell us what you think or what you would like to see from the interactive map of Europe.  Please let us know how you use maps for planning your trip to Europe and give us some feedback!

So, zoom in and zoom out to your heart’s desire and learn about new cities that you had never heard of before and see how many destinations are accessible by train. Follow this link to visit our new interactive rail map.