Image Of Madrid

[NYCD 2012]

Honestly , I wasn't refering to you . I was refer to Mr Nut-brain aka The Old Spanish Man . BTW , Where you get nice avatars ?

[Mainad]

I prefer London to Paris. Paris is just too arrogant, they think they're the best, but hey, London exists.

When I visited London (and I was only 3 days) I also fell in love with the city, NYCD2012 It was just amazing. Knightsbridge with its chic shops, Trafalgar Square (I didn't imagine it was so big!), Camden Town's market with these strange people . It was also funny, because the UK is VERY different in all the things: buses, telephone boxes, roads, taxis... It was so great!

Paris is a city to see a weeked and then return home. Half of my family lives there and I go to Paris frequently, but I don't like it.

I think each of these cities has its own special character and something unique to offer.It would be so boring if they were all just different versions of each other,wouldn't it? Some of us prefer this or that city to any of the others because we each respond differently to the particular characteristics of a city.

What's for sure is that any one of these cities,whether London,Paris,Madrid,New York or Moscow is capable of hosting a wonderful Olympic Games.That's why the voting for 2012 was so close between them and London's victory in the final round was such a narrow one!

[Mainad]

Well, I completely disagree the IOC in awarding London. I don't think they contended fairly. But it's just a PERSONAL opinion... Please no one should feel offended by it. Also Paris and New York hardly attacked London, and the whole pro-Olympic community seemed to completely underestimated Madrid & Moscow, as they were not world-class city. It became a dirty exchange of words between the three most-known cities in the world and the Olympic spirit didn't seem to have any weight at all.

I'm not offended but I AM curious as to WHY you think London won unfairly? Who do you think should have won??

Also,I don't think Madrid was underestimated by the Olympic community in the 2012 decision.They led the voting in the second round and almost beat Paris in the third! If they had done so and gone into the final round,Madrid might well have beaten London. They came THAT close!!

In any event,we all agree that 2016 is unlikely to be awarded to another European city but Madrid is certainly well placed to try again for 2020 or 2024 in my opinion.

[ñuto]

Honestly , I wasn't refering to you . I was refer to Mr Nut-brain aka The Old Spanish Man . BTW , Where you get nice avatars ?

que pesao el chinito

[baron-pierreIV]

I really liked Madrid a lot but don't know it as well as Paris or London because I only spent a short amount of time there, whereas I spent a number of years in the other two. I have to say that Paris is so beautiful, I loved living there, just walking through the streets was often awe inspiring and even after a year there were charming little streets and squares that one would stumbled upon completely by accident - I loved walking around Paris.

Mikel, I agree with you about the Louvre too, it's a great museum but there's too many different kinds of art within the same room - furniture, sculpture and paintings altogether and all of different periods. I do prefer having separate locations for each genre of the arts - The National Gallery for paintings, The British Museum for historical artifacts, etc..... the national collections often have free entry here too (although contributions are welcomed) this means that I can go and see things whenever the mood takes me - it surprised me in Paris that even French citizens have to pay to see their own art.

#1 - I totally agree w/ you about Paris. There is NOTHING like Paris -- a city celebrated in song, legend, films, books and the psyche of anyone who considers him/herself part of Western civilization. It has such history, grandeur and PROPORTION. I think it's really the Olympics' loss that 2012 didn't go to Paris. I have no problem with the so-called arrogance of Paris. They get it back from me when they pull that sh*t...

I find London too bewildering (layout-wise) and really quite unattractive. Anywho....

#2 - Re the Louvre - yes, maybe over-rated but hey, Dan Brown chose it for THE DA VINCE CODE; and that only adds to its fame. I don't think any famous novelist has used the Prado in his/her books. But mikel, it's not so much as how it's laid out -- as the holdings of a museum. Definitely, the top 5 museums of the (western) world are:

1. the Louvre

2. the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

3. the British Museum

4. the Hermitage

5. the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

maybe the next 5:

6. Musee D'Orsay, Paris (my favorite, favorite museum)

7. Institute of Fine Arts, Chicago

8. yes, the Prado

9. the National Gallery, London

10. the Rijksmuseum

[Rei]

1. the Louvre

2. the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

3. the British Museum

4. the Hermitage

5. the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

maybe the next 5:

6. Musee D'Orsay, Paris (my favorite, favorite museum)

7. Institute of Fine Arts, Chicago

8. yes, the Prado

9. the National Gallery, London

10. the Rijksmuseum

psss.. you forget Vatican museums and Florence's Uffizi

[baron-pierreIV]

psss.. you forget Vatican museums and Florence's Uffizi

You're right. Sorry about the Uffizi which everytime I'm in Florence, is always closed.

Are the Vatican museums open to the public? I thought it was only for scholars and researchers.

[Stu]

6. Musee D'Orsay, Paris (my favorite, favorite museum)

Musee D'Orsay is amazing - especially if you like the French Impressionist era, as I do. But again, when I'm in a Renoir or Manet mood I don't want to have to work my way through rooms of Art Noveau tables and chairs - in my opinion it would be far better if the Parisian museums specialised on particular forms of art instead of trying to be everything to everybody. It's still amazing though!

I love the V&A in London too.

The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is also worth a visit if only for the building itself!

[baron-pierreIV]

Musee D'Orsay is amazing - especially if you like the French Impressionist era, as I do. But again, when I'm in a Renoir or Manet mood I don't want to have to work my way through rooms of Art Noveau tables and chairs - in my opinion it would be far better if the Parisian museums specialised on particular forms of art instead of trying to be everything to everybody. It's still amazing though!

I love the V&A in London too.

That's precisely why I love the d'Orsay -- that section with the Art Noveau tables and chairs. I've always thought how I could stuff those things in my shirt and get away with it!!

WHile on the topic, last week, a friend lent me...I actually posted it on one of the Off-Topic subjects - A Very Long Engagement; and there was a bit there where they showed: (1) an exterior of the d'Orsay while it was a train station; and then (2) an interior of the Grand Nave when trains were coming and going. Altho the footage was color-enhanced; but it was really so revelatory to see that footage and then to see the great repository of the 2nd Republic (or is it the 2nd Empire?) of la belle France! Didn't have time to go to the d'Orsay in June, but I trekked up to Montmartre and paid my homage to the Lapin Agile. I so love Montmartre as well -- a Greenwich Village on hills.

I've never been to the V&A in London. I just get too bewildered by the layout of London.

[Rei]

You're right. Sorry about the Uffizi which everytime I'm in Florence, is always closed.

Are the Vatican museums open to the public? I thought it was only for scholars and researchers.

it's a private collection open to the public.. but what did you do in Florence "everytime"? are you an artbrigant?

[Guest ChiIn2016]

Musee D'Orsay is amazing - especially if you like the French Impressionist era, as I do. But again, when I'm in a Renoir or Manet mood I don't want to have to work my way through rooms of Art Noveau tables and chairs - in my opinion it would be far better if the Parisian museums specialised on particular forms of art instead of trying to be everything to everybody. It's still amazing though!

I love the V&A in London too.

The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is also worth a visit if only for the building itself!

I too love the D'Orsay. The Met in NY has some great collections, but can get overwhelming, and like the Louvre, one must usually pick and choose what to see in a visit. The Archeological Museum in Athens is a wonder.

The Vatican Museums are open to the public.

[baron-pierreIV]

it's a private collection open to the public.. but what did you do in Florence "everytime"? are you an artbrigant?

No. The 2 times I've been in FLorence, the Uffizi was closed. So, too bad, the Uffizi's loss. That's why it does not rank on Baron's Best Museums of the World list.

[Cinderella]

I'm not offended but I AM curious as to WHY you think London won unfairly? Who do you think should have won??

Also,I don't think Madrid was underestimated by the Olympic community in the 2012 decision.They led the voting in the second round and almost beat Paris in the third! If they had done so and gone into the final round,Madrid might well have beaten London. They came THAT close!!

In any event,we all agree that 2016 is unlikely to be awarded to another European city but Madrid is certainly well placed to try again for 2020 or 2024 in my opinion.

Hi Mainad!

Well, it seemed, during the final weeks of the race, that London really did a great marketing effort to win... and they were succesful. That's great for the marketing professionals and maybe, Mr. Coe's personal curriculum.

But, let me be honest... It was not the best bid. At that moment, its virtuality was, at least, shocking, compared with strength of Paris or Madrid ones. I would never have chosen London because Paris deserved much more. Compact concept, historical reasons, one of the most beautiful cities in the whole world (if not the most), low investments needed... Anyway, if you ask for emotional reasons, I would love have seen Madrid chosen, as I lived there during that time.

Olympics would mainly not be hosted in Europe in 2016. I think we are all clear in that and if you ask me, I believe that Madrid is wasting its time, money & energies. It risks to be burn-out for a 2020 & 2024 more realistic bid.

But I can't be so sure in my word as others are and, at this time of the race, most of the election items are still widely open. Anything could happen in... three years long way ahead!!!

psss.. you forget Vatican museums and Florence's Uffizi

Oh, my God.

I feel completely unable to do such a list. It's plenty of wonderful museums all around the world, specially the unknown & little ones. The Berliner Geschichte in Berlin is just a MUST. Both Guggenheim in New York & Bilbao are amazing just for its buildings... but how to choose between the Louvre, the British, the Archaeological in Athens, the Egyptian in Cairo, Vatican Museums, d'Orsay, Rodin, Picasso...?

I just can't.

[Rei]

and we also forgot the Berlin's Pergamon museum

[Cinderella]

I think each of these cities has its own special character and something unique to offer.It would be so boring if they were all just different versions of each other,wouldn't it? Some of us prefer this or that city to any of the others because we each respond differently to the particular characteristics of a city.

What's for sure is that any one of these cities,whether London,Paris,Madrid,New York or Moscow is capable of hosting a wonderful Olympic Games.That's why the voting for 2012 was so close between them and London's victory in the final round was such a narrow one!

The list could be endless. That's why it's hard to understand for me how people can bas a city with such light words. And I keep on saying that Madrid is constantly being banished not only in this forum, but also in plenty of media. I'll keep on wondering why but anyway... now I guess it's my time to shut up and not focusing on that spot anymore... At least in public

[baron-pierreIV]

Both Guggenheim in New York & Bilbao are amazing just for its buildings..

Yeah, because there's really nothing in them -- especially the one in Bilbao. If you just want to see a fantastic Gehry building, just go enjoy a concert at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

[Cinderella]

Yeah, because there's really nothing in them -- especially the one in Bilbao. If you just want to see a fantastic Gehry building, just go enjoy a concert at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

Hi, Baron-PierreIV!

Yes, you're right. Anyway, somehow, Bilbao one has a special charm once you place it in the scene it is... It's like harmonic with the river and the perennial grey of Bilbao sky. That's the main achieve of Gehry there

But definitely not what you can find inside. I'll have to go to Disney Hall in LA. I'll surely love it

[Mainad]

#1 - I totally agree w/ you about Paris. There is NOTHING like Paris -- a city celebrated in song, legend, films, books and the psyche of anyone who considers him/herself part of Western civilization. It has such history, grandeur and PROPORTION. I think it's really the Olympics' loss that 2012 didn't go to Paris. I have no problem with the so-called arrogance of Paris.

You Americans have always had a thing for Paris,haven't you? Remind me who was it who said that all Americans have two homes,their own and Paris?

And all those songs and films: An American in Paris,I love Paris in the Springtime and that immortal line from Humphrey Bogart's Rick to Ingrid Bergman's Ilse at the end of Casablanca,"We'll always have Paris!".

Yep,I reckon Paris has always been your favourite city!!

[baron-pierreIV]

You Americans have always had a thing for Paris,haven't you? Remind me who was it who said that all Americans have two homes,their own and Paris?

I don't know. Gertrude Stein? Eugene O'Negin..err, O'Neill? Proust? Josephine Baker?

[Cinderella]

I don't know. Gertrude Stein? Eugene O'Negin..err, O'Neill? Proust? Josephine Baker?

Actually, not just the americans... Many Europeans go on weekend to Paris just to breathe that nostalgic and eternal french, romantic flavour. Paris is a symbol for the whole world, I guess... at least, for myself

[Mikel]

You also forgot the Centro Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (CNCAR) in Madrid, where are many of Picasso's pictures (Gernika is here) and other modern pictures.

[Cinderella]

You also forgot the Centro Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (CNCAR) in Madrid, where are many of Picasso's pictures (Gernika is here) and other modern pictures.

Yep, specially its enlargement with the splendorous new cafeteria round Argumosa street. Amazing.

[Mikel]

You also forgot the Centro Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (CNCAR) in Madrid, where are many of Picasso's pictures (Gernika is here) and other modern pictures.

PS. Baron, do u visited le Centre Pompidou, the building is amazing! There is a shopping centre near the museum (Les Halles) and the metro-train station there is just huge. Oh, and don't forget to visit l'Avenue Foch, where my family lives, this street is very beautiful, too.

[baron-pierreIV]

PS. Baron, do u visited le Centre Pompidou, the building is amazing! There is a shopping centre near the museum (Les Halles) and the metro-train station there is just huge. Oh, and don't forget to visit l'Avenue Foch, where my family lives, this street is very beautiful, too.

The 1 & only time I visited the Pompidou was in 1990 -- and we hated it. I mean, I'm not impressed with all those open pipes, etc. And the A/C was hardly working at that time. I'm more of a classicist -- or even modern architecture if the lines are harmonious! Lucky you that you have family in Paris. I wish I had.

[Cinderella]

The 1 & only time I visited the Pompidou was in 1990 -- and we hated it. I mean, I'm not impressed with all those open pipes, etc. And the A/C was hardly working at that time. I'm more of a classicist -- or even modern architecture if the lines are harmonious! Lucky you that you have family in Paris. I wish I had.

My little sister lives "prèt du Moulin Rouge". I call her Nicole Kidman