La France en relief at the Grand Palais

The French, there's no doubt, have a special ability to bring up even the most simple object a work of art. I believe it's in their nature. Everything shines in their hands. Here in Paris every street corner, despite the dirt, is made spectacular by their care and their attention. Even a simple object in principle, as a model, made ​​of paper, wood, silk and metal, in their hands becomes a spectacular masterpiece.  

We went to the Grand Palais to see the Exhibition of the plan-reliefs of the fortified towns that are part of the collection begun by Vauban in 1670  under Louis XIV and expanded until 1873. Some of these models have remained for about 300 years in the cellars of the Tuileries. Some cities, as Brest, do not even look like the models nowadays, after being so massively destroyed by the bombs during the WWII. The plan-reliefs are magnificent in every detail. Not even Google Earth captures so subtle shades and colors. Josh was obviously amazed by the immensity of models: the model of  Cherbourg occupied a surface of 140 square meters! More than twice the apartment in which we live here in Paris. 

Imagine: the exposure had about 100 of such models. There were also, to my great surprise, the models of the fortresses of Fenestrelle, about an hour from Turin, and of the Fort of Exilles, which we know very well, since we pass by it  every time we go skiing in Bardonecchia.

Josh really liked the exhibition and had fun with his friend Gabe searching for railways, bridges, ramparts, cathedrals on each model with his laser pointer. Bellissimo!