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 | Paris Things To Do | Tips 11 - 20 of 9573 |  |
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I can thank VTer Beatchick for stressing the importance of these passes to avoid the huge queues which develop outside the main Paris attractions. I estimate that the wait outside the Musée d’Orsay would have been about two hours: with my pass I was inside within ten minutes. The queue outside the Orangerie, once I reached the outer gate (I waited in line to get there, then showed my pass), would have been over an hour – again I was there within minutes. Time is valuable when you’re travelling! The passes will gain you entry to over 60 museums and monuments in the Paris area, so apart from the time savings you also have a monetary saving on entry costs. Note that they are undated when you purchase them, but you must put your name and commencing date on the card when you begin visits, to activate the pass. I would rate these passes as “highly recommended, almost essential”. Phone: +33 (0)1 44 61 96 60Directions: For 2006 these passes are available for 2, 4 or 6 consecutive days, at a cost of 30€, 45€ or 60€ respectively. You can obtain them at museums and tourist offices, I picked up mine at the 'l'Open Tour' bus office.Website: http://www.parismuseumpass.fr Other Contact: email: info@parismuseumpass.fr
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| | | | Louvre: Géricault "Le Radeau de la Méduse". | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Congratulations; you followed my tip "Mona Lisa in the crowd" and thanks to your height over 1.90 m, weight of 100 kg and your practice of rugby or football you were able to approach "La Joconde" the goal of your quest for the "Holy Grail". After the immobility of Mona Lisa you might like to discover the movement of the 19th century with the Romantic school as expressed by Théodore Géricault and his famous large painting (5 x 7 m.) "Le Radeau de la Méduse". The terrible story of the wreck of the French frigate "La Méduse" is a real one (1816) and Géricault put a lot of realism in his painting. From the 150 man on the raft only five survived and it was said that there was cannibalism! No doubt that Géricault expressed a paradox: how to make a strong painting of a hideous motive, how to reconcile the art and the reality? He refused the constraints of the classic standards and looked for a more free way of painting. He used morbid, macabre colours, illustrating the death. Unfortunately, for the conservation of this painting, Géricault used dark pigments based on bitumen which don't dry well and, by passing through the paint layers, cause cracks and a general darkening effect. The horror of this subject fascinated and divided critics when it was shown at the Salon of 1819 as well as it does now in contrast with the placid Mona Lisa. For the full story of the "Méduse" I recommend (in French): www.paranormal-fr.net/dossiers/radeau-de-la-meduse.php Address: Denon wing, 1st floor, room 77.Directions: Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
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| | | | La Seine and Its Bridges: With the Burpobus.... oops, Batobus ;-) | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My next destination is a bit further to the west along to the river Seine, so why not jump on the Batobus for a comfortable and lovely tour on the river Seine to get there? The Batobus is a hop-on hop-off boat, with eight stops along the river Seine. I thought it was ideal to hop on board at one point, and hop off at the next place that I wanted to see. You can buy a ticket for the day (or longer) and hop on and off as much as you like. We jokingly called it the "Burpobus" instead of the "Batobus". After having had a wonderful lunch in one of Paris' cafes and restaurants, we were too lazy to walk or do anything. But we didn't want to waste any of our precious time in Paris either..... oops, that's going to be a problem!! But, we discovered the perfect solution to this problem! Take the Burpobus and burp out for a while ;-) You won't feel lazy, you won't miss anything of Paris; all the views will flow by in front of you, and your feet and stomach can have the rest they so desperately want without making you feel guilty :-)) In my transportation tip I'll write a bit more practical tips about the Batobus. In the first photo you can see a little map with all the stops of the Batobus. But no more time to waste: it's almost time to hop off the boat again as I can already see the Eiffel Tower in the distance: our next stop for the day! Leave a Comment Phone: 0825 05 01 01 (0,15£/min)Website: http://www.batobus.com/ Other Contact: batobus.reservations@batobus.com
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| | | | Park: Jardins du Luxembourg: The Quintessential Paris Garden | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Even though Eiffel Tower is the unmistakable symbol of Paris, the quintessential Parisian life occurs in 25 hectares of green oasis called Jardin du Luxembourg. This was where Marie de Medici, the widow of Henry IV felt homesick and needed to create a model of Palazzo Pitti on French land. The XVII century Palais du Luxembourg is now the seat of the Senate whose residences enjoy a longer term than the restless queen did. This is where one finds the small size Statue of Liberty together with almost 200 other statues of every who's who in recognised French history, art, and literature circles. This is where Verger du Luxembourg is located; the orchard of 1000 espaliered trees and 200 species of apple and pear trees is still hand-tended today as it had been for almost two centuries by the Carthusian Order, on the same spot as it had always been near the homes of the million bees. This is where the XIX century L'Orangerie du Luxembourg serves both functions: as the Louvre's temporary exhibition place and as the autumn and winter shelter for the 180 orange trees, palm trees, pomegranates and rose laurels. Above all, Luxembourg Garden is the place where many generations of Parisian children grow up. They play in the sandbox, ride the ponies, throw the pétanques, push the sailboats on the pond, and enjoy the carousel. Above all, they are exposed to arts and culture at a tender age with the help of Les Guignols in Théâtre de Marionnettes every week. This is Paris life for centuries past and will continue to be Paris life in centuries to come. Leave a Comment Address: Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75006 ParisDirections: Métro: Luxembourg
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| | | | Musée d'Orsay: RENOIR - Les danseurs. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Le musée d'Orsay comporte une belle collection d'œuvres de d'Auguste Renoir dont deux grands tableaux de danseurs m'ont impressionné dès ma première visite. Il s'agit de "Danse à la campagne" et "Danse à la ville" (1883) appartenant à la deuxième période appelée "Ingresque" ou "sèche" parce que le dessin se fait plus net, le contour plus précis que dans sa première période "impressionniste" (1864-1883). En cette année Renoir écrit "J'étais allé jusqu'au bout de l'impressionnisme et j'arrivais à cette constatation que je ne savais ni peindre ni dessiner." Etonnant cette remise en cause de ce maître de l'art impressionniste. Il en résulta trois tableaux de couples de danseurs dont deux ici au musée d'Orsay, salle 39, le troisième à Boston. J'ai été particulièrement séduit par ces couples danseurs. L'homme penché en avant murmure des choses tendres à l'oreille de sa compagne; elle, belle femme aux cheveux d'un roux naturel, se tient bien droite. L'on sait qu'il s'agit de Suzanne Valadon qui fut également modèle de Puvis de Chavannes, de Toulouse-Lautrec et devint elle-même peintre et mère du peintre Utrillo. Après sa courte période "ingresque" de 1883 à 1890, Renoir entre dans sa période "nacrée" Le terme désigne bien la forme, couleur, lumière et volupté de cette période pendant laquelle il peint de nombreuses "baigneuses". Dans la même salle 39 se trouvent deux très beaux tableaux de sa période nacrée: "Jeunes filles au piano" (1892) et "Grand nu" (1907). Renoir fut un peintre très prolifique: plus de 4000 tableaux! Address: Musée d'Orsay, niveau supérieur 5, salle 39Directions: Métro: line 12, Solférino station; RER: line C, Musée d'Orsay stationWebsite: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/
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| | | | Musée d'Orsay: Prepare to be overwhelmed | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Built as a railway station in 1900, but unused and largely derelict from 1939, the Musée d’Orsay was finally retrieved from potential demolition in 1973 when it was declared a national monument and re-established as a museum for art of the period from 1848 to 1914. I would have to rate it as my personal favourite Paris visit, even above the newly re-opened Orangerie which is somewhat smaller. Not only are the paintings, sculptures and other artworks stunning, but the grand old building really complements them. As I noted in my tip on the Paris Museum passes, there was a substantial queue outside when I arrived. The pass allowed me to gain almost immediate entry and, in no time, I was surrounded by some of the world’s most mouth-watering artworks. It was interesting to also see that ‘painters-in-training’ are allowed to practice their art, copying from originals. Don’t miss this place. Address: 1 rue de la Légion d’honneur 75007 ParisPhone: 01 40 49 48 14Directions: Hours daily except Mondays, 1000 -1800. Sundays and period 20 June to 20 September 0900 – 1800, Thursdays remaining open to 2145. Métro: line 12, Solférino station; RER: line C, Musée d'Orsay stationWebsite: http://www.musee-orsay.fr
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| | | | Arc de Triomphe: You just have to see #2 | Tip Rating: | | | | |
If the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris, the Arc de Triomph must be a close second. Commenced by Napoleon in 1806, he was long gone before it was finished in 1836. It is interesting that it remains incomplete: the original intention was to add something atop it, as with the Arc de Carrousel in the Tuilleries Gardens, but the question of what should be placed there was never resolved. Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, France’s main war shrine. Again, this already is well covered with good VT tips. It is easily found where the major road, the Champs Élysées, finishes at the Place de Gaulle (formerly Place de l’Étoile). Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle EtoileDirections: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
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