Camilla gets into the swing of things: The Duchess of Cornwall takes Paris to her heart (and her handbag) Camilla carried raffia clutch bag with the word Paris printed on it followed by a heart Attended Garde Republicaine at Les Invalides Viewed military demonstration and equestrian display Met 300 fundraisers as they set off on Help for Heroes bike ride from Paris to London Among riders were former editor of The Sun, Rebekah Brooks, and husband Charlie Camilla visited Louvre Museum and saw Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa She wore Anna Valentine wool and crepe pistachio coat and dress By Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent In Paris No trip to Paris would be complete without a viewing of the legendary Mona Lisa. So on the way home from the second day of her successful first solo foreign tour today, the Duchess of Cornwall couldn't resist popping into the Louvre to see what the fuss was about. Unlike other tourists she didn't have to battle her way through the crowds, however, being given a whistle-stop tour of the Paris museum on a day when it is traditionally closed to the public. It was a rare chance, therefore for art lover Camilla to see some of the most priceless artwork in the world at close quarters. Mona Lisa moment: The Duchess of Cornwall couldn't resist popping into the Louvre to see the masterpiece Wow. We're so lucky to be here without the crowds,' she said, pausing briefly to take in the room's splendour, before strolling towards Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece. Asked by photographers to pose for a moment, she said: 'Well, I don't want to block this lady. I don't want to block her, that would be terrible if I stood in front of the Mona Lisa.' Afterwards she went on to learn a little more about the history of the grand building - one which she first visited as a teenager while studying in the city in 1963. She also viewed the famous Venus de Milo and early several 19th century French paintings. Her trip to the French capital, which started on Monday with a journey on Eurostar and a visit to projects supported by Emmaus UK, a charity for the homeless of which she is patron, has been remarkably well received locally and a sign of her growing status as a royal. Yesterday there was a much more Gallic flavour to events, including a visit to a traditional - and utterly chaotic - French market in the 4e arrondissement of Paris called Marche Raspail. The Duchess of Cornwall views Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa during a visit to the Louvre Museum Tres chic: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, poses in front of the the Louvre's museum pyramid with her clear umbrella in Paris Taking in the sights: Camilla walks with British Ambassador to France Sir Peter Ricketts at the Jardin des Tuileries before a visit at the Louvre museum Camilla spent 20 minutes browsing without the presence of the media in order to buy souvenirs for her family. Aides could be seen carrying bags of goodies including several archetypal berets - surely not for the Prince of Wales? - scarves, and toys for her five grandchildren. Holding her see-through Fulton umbrella against the horribly persistent rain, Camilla battled through the crowds - some of whom recognised her while others, clearly not expecting royal company, walked past oblivious. Duchess gamely agreed to pose for photographs with anyone who asked and chatted animatedly about her visit. Tourist time: Camilla arrives at the Louvre on a rainy day in Paris Afternoon stroll: The Duchess of Cornwall walks to the Louvre with Ambassador Sir Peter Ricketts Tour: The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris on her first solo engagement Walking tour: The Duchess of Cornwall views Venus de Milo during a visit to the Louvre Museum Seeing the sights: The Duchess takes a tour around the Louvre Museum in a beige trench coat Art lover: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, looks at a painting as she visits the Louvre The Duchess of Cornwall with the sculpture 'The Rebel Slave' by Italian artist Michelangelo (left) and listening to the art's history from a Louvre staff member (right) One unnamed woman even cheekily asked whether the royal did her own cooking and cleaning. 'When I have the time, yes, of course!' she replied. 'How lovely was she?' the woman was heard saying to her husband as she scuttled off. 'I just can't believe she would be here in the pouring rain. Unbelievable. She then moved onto the food section of the outdoor market, sampling a variety of wares from dried fruit to salami and attempting to use her schoolgirl French with the odd 'merci beaucoup' and 'tres bien, deliceuse'. Asked how she had found her visit, the Duchess said: 'You should see my basket, it's overflowing! 'It's been a wonderful experience and I really would like to come again.' Three cheers for Camilla! Camilla, who was wearing an Anna Valentine wool and crepe pistachio coat and dress, poses with Help For Heroes fundraisers taking part in the Big Battlefield Bikeride at Les Invalides Flying solo: The Duchess looked happy and confident during her visit to the French Republican Guard headquarters Day two in Paris: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall poses with Help For Heroes fundraisers taking part in the Big Battlefield Bikeride at Les Invalides Camilla had clearly taken the city of love to her heart, carrying around with her all day a raffia clutch bag with the word Paris printed on it in curling script, followed by a heart. Asked about the bag, which she picked up in a vintage - for that read second hand - shop in London, Camilla smiled and said: 'I am just trying to get into the spirit of things!' Her trip to the French capital, which started yesterday with a journey on Eurostar and a visit to projects supported by Emmaus UK, a charity for the homeless of which she is patron, has been remarkably well received locally. Earlier in the day she attended a military and equestrian display at the Garde Republicaine where she battled the elements with her see-through umbrella - and a stoic smile. She also met more than 300 fundraisers as they set off on a charity Help for Heroes bike ride from Paris to London. The group included wounded British, US and Canadian servicemen and women and war veterans who are cycling more than 350 miles through the battlefields of World War I and II as part of the annual Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride, the charity's inaugural event first held in 2008. She wished the cyclists good luck as they set off on Tuesday morning from Les Invalides, a military hospital built by Louis XIV in the 1670s for wounded French troops, and which is where Napoleon is buried. J'adore Paris: On the second day of her first solo foreign tour, Camilla carried with her a raffia clutch bag with the word Paris printed on it in curling script, followed by a heart as she talked with Help For Heroes fundraisers Meeting the locals: Camilla inspects an honour guard at the French Republican Guard headquarters on a rainy day Market goer: Later the Duchess visited a traditional - and very chaotic - French market in the 4e arrondissement of Paris called Marche Raspail Taste testing: The Duchess of Cornwall speaks to traders during a visit to Marche Raspil along the Boulevard Raspail in Paris, France Among the group was veteran Matthew Lum, 40, from the Isle of Wight, who served with the Royal Engineers until 2005. 'I'm really looking forward to it,' he said. There will be too much of an atmosphere for it to be hard-going. Asked whether the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich last week had inspired the group, he said: 'Certainly for a lot of the guys, it will have a lot of poignancy. It will definitely spur a lot of us on when we hit London and will hopefully bring out more supporters. Jen Warren, 32, from Farnborough, a doctor with the Royal Army Medical Corps, is taking part in the ride on a tandem with her husband Jon. Mrs Warren, who lost the use of her leg in a skiing accident, said: 'It's amazing just to be here and to be able to give something back. Best of luck: She wished the cyclists good luck as they set off on Tuesday morning from Les Invalides, a military hospital built by Louis XIV in the 1670s for wounded French troops, and which is where Napoleon is buried 'Help for Heroes got me back on my feet and gave me something to work for when I was injured so I'm glad to be here for them today.' Capt Nick Beighton, 31, Shrewsbury, a member of the London 2012 Paralympic rowing team who lost both legs in Afghanistan in 2009, said: 'In typical British Army fashion I've done no training. 'We've got to be careful not to get overawed by other events and focus on the charity, this event has been planned for a long time.' Among the riders were the former editor of The Sun, Rebekah Brooks, and her husband Charlie, who are currently awaiting trial on charges relating to the News International phone hacking scandal, and Jeremy Clarkson's wife Francie, a founding member of the charity. Mrs Brooks appeared in high spirits, taking pictures of her husband greeting the Duchess. 'Having sat in the office and watched it all, we thought it was about time we did it ourselves,' she said. Paralympian Jon Allan-Butterworth also took part. Camilla, who was wearing an Anna Valentine wool and crepe pistachio coat and dress, warmly greeted another member of their party, Hugh van Cutsem, a childhood friend of Princes William and Harry whose family have long been close to the royals. As she arrived at the hospital, she greeted officials saying: 'Bonjour, how lovely to see you.' She asked some of the cyclists: 'Are you all ready to go? And 'how are you enjoying the atmosphere? All the very best, I hope it all goes well. She asked Canadian James MacIntyre, 36: 'How many miles have you done? Just a couple to get warmed up? Before they left, the crowd was addressed by Roger Dawson, known as 'the peddling Padre', who is taking part in the ride for the fourth time. Bon appetit: The Duchess of Cornwall tried a piece of salami during a visit to Marche Raspil Big shopper: By the time media were bussed in her staff were carrying bags of goodies including berets, scarves, and toys for her five grandchildren Horsing around: The Duchess of Cornwall also paid a visit to the stables at the French Republican Guard headquarters. She is a keen equestrian fan Lovely lady: The locals commented on how lovely the Duchess was when they met her Ceremonial: The Duchess of Cornwall attended a ceremony with the horse cavalry regiment of the French Republican Guard He told the cyclists: 'You are part of something extraordinary. We have got each other. Nobody does the Big Battlefield Bike Ride on their own, that would be missing the point. Lots of people will never have the opportunity to do what you are doing. The Duchess joined them for a group photo and laughed as they shouted three cheers, punching the air. The riders will arrive in London on June 2 when they will join 1,300 other riders taking part in the 2013 Hero Ride, cycling to the capital from all corners of the country. They will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph and then cycle down the Mall, finishing at Horse Guards Parade. Fashion first: Head of Dior Couture Catheine Riviere (L) looks on as Camilla visits the workshop at the headquarters of Dior Bryn Parry, co-founder of Help for Heroes, said: 'There has been an extraordinary public reaction to the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby last week. For many, that desire to show support has been focused on doing good to counter the bad. Help for Heroes has been the unexpected focus of this national outpouring of support. The Hero Ride is expected to be the biggest national cycling demonstration of support for the wounded the UK has ever seen. Later the Duchess visited a traditional - and very chaotic - French market in the 4e arrondissement of Paris called Marche Raspail. She had arrived, unannounced, some twenty minutes earlier in order to buy souvenirs for her family. Fashion forward: Camilla paid a visit the headquarters of Dior and viewed some exquisite garments Group shot: The group included wounded British, US and Canadian servicemen and women and war veterans who are cycling more than 350 miles through the battlefields of World War I and II By the time media were bussed in her staff were carrying bags of goodies including berets, scarves, and toys for her five grandchildren. Holding her see-through Fulton umbrella against the persistent rain, Camilla valiantly battled through the crowds - some of whom recognised her while others, clearly not expecting royal company, walked past oblivious. What a performance: During her trip around the city, Camilla was treated to a performance by members of the French Republican Guard Quite the spectacle: Members of the French Republican Guard perform for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at their headquarters She then moved onto the food section of the outdoor market, sampling a variety of wares from dried apricots to salami and attempting to use her schoolgirl French with the odd 'merci beaucoup' and 'tres bien, deliceuse'. The Duchess declared one morsel of meat 'utterly delicious' and asked how she had found her visit said: 'You should see my basket, it's overflowing!' The Duchess of Cornwall was shown a pair of red shoes worn by Wallis Simpson - the Duchess of Windsor - in 1959 when she visited a French couture house today. Camilla was shown the historic footwear when she visited Dior in Paris, where she was first shown examples from the current Spring/Summer collection by designer Raf Simons. Rainy day: The Duchess of Cornwall watches a horseshoe get forged as she visits the French Republican Guard headquarters on her solo visit She was shown around by Catherine Riviere, head of couture, asking how well the staff knew each individual client. She asked whether everything was done by hand and expressed admiration for the intricate work after being told that it took a minimum of five years to become a 'senior stitcher'. The Duchess looked at sketches and was told she could touch some of the garments which represented the finished process. 'It's exciting isn't it?' She said. 'It's a piece of art. I'm always terrified to touch them, I don't want to ruin it!' Still clutching her Paris handbag, she asked Miss Riviere whether they had any apprentices. 'It's lovely to have an apprentice to learn the arts,' she said. 'You have to pass it down haven't you, from generation to generation? 'That's the most important thing.' Under cover: Holding her see-through Fulton umbrella against the persistent rain, Camilla valiantly battled through the crowds - some of whom recognised her while others, clearly not expecting royal company, walked past oblivious All smiles: Camilla met schoolchildren before heading off to a bustling Parisian market In the next room, the Duchess met Soizie Pfaff, head of archives, expressing astonishment at the size of a mannequin. 'Look at the size of the waist, it's tiny!' she said. Camilla spent a few minutes chatting to designer Mr Simons, asking where he trained and adding: 'It must be very exciting when it (the collection) comes out, to see the reaction.' The Duchess was then shown around one of the atelier's workrooms, a brightly lit room in which numerous seamstresses dressed in white coats were busy stitching at work benches. The staff were astonished that the Duchess recognised a 'toile' fabric canvas. Miss Riviere said: 'Not many people know that, I'm very impressed.' Chatting to the ateliers, Camilla said: 'It's incredible, isn't it.' She said an intricately embroidered wedding dress was 'absolutely beautiful' and could not resist touching a piece of '3D embroidery'. 'I've never seen that before, it's so tactile,' she said. First top: Her first stop of the trip took her to the Emmaus community qt Bougival, to the West of Paris yesterday Surprise traveller: Aides said that the Duchess had been keen to learn to learn more about the charity's work for some time, as it was one of the first patronages she took on after her marriage to the Prince of Wales in 2005 The Prince of Wales claps hands during a visit in Langenburg, southern Germany after attending a symposium with focus on the regional food production in the German State Baden-Wuertemberg Philipp Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, left, drives an Alvis vintage car with Prince Charles, right, in Langenburg, southern Germany Prince Charles visits farmers during his visit to Schloss Langenburg Prince Charles accepts a present inside a cafe in Langenburg, Germany The Prince of Wales receives paper rolls from children during a visit in Langenburg, southern Germany