 | Paris Things To Do | Tips 51 - 60 of 9573 |  |
 | |  |  | Orangerie: The "Nymphéas" and paintings of the 19-20th c. | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
This museum on paintings of the 19-20th c. reopened after lengthy works. There are two departments: on the ground floor, in two oval rooms, are on show the eight panels of Monet's "Nympheas". The painter, when living in Giverny, had an aquatic garden whose plants where the theme of several of his paintings. Here, as in other paintings, are reflected the passing hours of the day on one subject. The effect of the "Nymphéas" in the circular space is enchanting; the visitor is surrounded and feels being inside the water garden. Connoisseurs say that it was a step towards abstract art. On the lower floor is an exhibit of 144 paintings of the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection. It is an interesting complement of the impressionist collection of the Musée d'Orsay, on the other side of the river Seine, with a fair number of works from Renoir with masterpieces like the "Jeunes filles au piano" and Cézanne. The other works are from the period between the two wars with works from Le Douanier Rousseau, Modigliani, Picasso, André Derain with "Arlequin et Pierrot", Matisse and Utrillo. I was especially pleased to find here paintings of Maurice Utrillo, born at Montmartre in 1883, who painted mainly townscapes of Paris. As this museum is "new", having reopened in May 2007, I set up a travelogue with some of the masterpieces of the Guillaume collection. Important notice: Individual visitors are only admitted in the afternoon from 12.30 h to 19 h, (21 h on Friday). The mornings are reserved for groups. Closed on Tuesday. I had to queue a bit even at 17 h with a museum pass because of the security check. The space inside the museum is limited so that the queue outside can get long. Price: 6,50 €, free for museum pass holders. Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 ParisPhone: 01 44 77 80 07Directions: End of Tuileries gardens, adjacent to Seine end of Place de la Concorde.Website: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr
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| | | | Louvre: Tapestries "the Hunts of Maximilian". | Tip Rating: | | | | |
When you are in the Richelieu wing on the first floor which shows the decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the 19th c. you must visit the large room 19 of the Renaissance section. Here are hanging 12 of the most beautiful tapestries in the world called the "Hunts of Maximilian". Archduke Maximilian of Habsbourg, later emperor of Austria was the brother of Emperor Charles V (Charles Quint born in Gent, Belgium) who in that time had his palace in Brussels. He liked to go hunting in the forest of Soignes (still existing) just outside Brussels. The 12 large (about 5 x 7 m) tapestries show scenes of hunting at the 12 months of the year. The picturesque, realistic and detailed landscapes show, in the back ground, the still existing abbey of Rouge Cloître, the village of La Hulpe and the town hall of Brussels. The inspiration is from the Italian renaissance, the technical mastery is that of the painter and cartoon designer Bernard van Orley and the weavers from Brussels (ref. my tip on Brussels tapestries at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Cinquantenaire, Brussels). They were manufactured between 1531 and 1533 probably by Guillaume Dermoyen. Although ordered by the Habsbourg, in the 16th c. they belonged to the French Ducs de Guise, then Mazarin and King Louis XIV. These tapestries contain gold wire but fortunately escaped the destructions of the French revolutionaries. The French Manufacture des Gobelins made a number of copies of the original tapestries around 1700. These 12 marvellous tapestries are very well presented in the large room 19. It is sad that so few visitors of the museum stop here to really look at them. Address: Wing Richelieu, 1st floor, room 19Directions: Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
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| | | | Musée Carnavalet: Musée Carnavalet | Tip Rating: | | | | |
And one of those surprises in the Quarter of the Marais was the Musée Carnavalet. I know this is a very well-known museum, but I wasn't thinking of going here..... Until I stood right in front of it! The museum is housed in 2 adjoining mansions from the 16th century and the little courtyard immediately grabbed my attention. The little formal garden and the architecture of the mansions (the Hôtel Le Peletier de St-Fargeau and the Hôtel Carnavalet) just drew me inside the courtyard, wanting to see more of it. At the gate, just before entering the courtyard, they were handing out tickets for a free entrance to the museum; it was all so tempting.... I got torn in two: I wanted to go inside, to see it all, the houses, the museum, it looked so wonderful and right up my alley. The museum is devoted to the history of Paris and inside you can see entire decorated rooms with panelling, furniture and many works of art. I was so tempted! But outside the sun was shining and more of Paris was waiting for me..... The sunshine won in the end, and I didn't see more then a glimpse of the museum, making myself a promise to go back later. The weather forecast warned for rain, which would be perfect for visiting this museum..... but it didn't work out that way. it never rained, so I never went back. But on a next visit even the sun won't stop me to go here! And back in Paris I will certainly be again :-) Leave a Comment Address: 23 Rue de SévignéPhone: 01 44 59 58 58Directions: In the quarter 'Marais' Métro stop: Bastille, Chemin Vert or St-PaulWebsite: http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=6468
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| | | | Chatelet / Les Halles: Le Défenseur du Temps | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I guess this would be best described as a 'tourist trap' and maybe should be published under 'warnings and dangers' as the main reason for going here never worked!! Le Défenseur du Temps is a fun clock, hidden away in the modern Quarter de L'Horloge and only a few steps away from the Centre Georges Pompidou. The clock is an interpretation of the 'defender of time' and supposed to have a 'show' every day at 2 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Well, this might be true if the clock worked, but it wasn't moving.... not even one minute! Quarter to one it was and quarter to one it stayed for quite some time. So after stirring at the motionless clock for a while we just gave up. The mechanical sculptures wouldn't move today, and most likely not tomorrow either. No battles against the air, earth and water would show, no roaring sounds of earthquakes, storms or sea would play.... such a pity. It all sounded so fun and I really would have like to see this creation of Jaques Monastier at work. But his work seemed to be forgotten and neglected in this little alley of the Quarter de L'Horloge. All it functions for now is for gathering birdsh!t, as the clock was totally covered in it. For aesthetical reasons I cleaned it up a bit in the photo, hahaha, good that photoshop exists to make reality look a bit better at times ;-) Leave a Comment Address: Rue Bernard de ClairvauxDirections: Quartier de L'Horloge Métro stop: Rambuteau Just a few steps away from the Centre Georges Pompidou
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| | | | Place des Vosges: Place des Vosges | Tip Rating: | | | | |
In 1605 - 1612 Henri IV had this beautiful square build and called it Place Royale. The square got its new name in 1799 and was renamed after the 'Department of the Vosges', which is a part of France near the German border. Of course the renaming had a good reason; money! The Vosges was the first to pay its taxes to a particular military campaign; and I guess that that is good enough reason as any to get the honour of having a square named after it ;-) But let’s forget all these facts about the square and get back to the here and now, and start to look around. The square, which is now a little park, is beautiful, with several fountains, symmetric paths crossing through the park from one side to the other, old trees that filter the light of the sun in a magical way, and a large statue of Louis XIII in the middle. Just sit down on one of the benches and take it all in. While looking around you probably be surprised by all the details you'll see, like the old lanterns placed around and on the square that caught my eye. They look so romantic and fit so perfectly in the atmosphere of it all. In the photos you can see a small impression of the park. Leave a Comment Address: Place des VosgesDirections: Place des Vosges In the quarter 'Marais' 3rd and 4th Arrondissement Métro stop: Bastille, Chemin Vert or St-PaulWebsite: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Vosges/
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| | | | Saint Eustache: "l'Ecoute" | Tip Rating: | | | | |
It's time to leave the area of Les Halles behind me, but before I do, there was one more thing on my wish list: St.Eustache! While preparing for my trip to Paris, I stumbled on some tips about this sculpture in front of the church of Saint Eustache, and it appealed to me right away. And of course I had to see it for myself! The sculpture called "l'Ecoute", is enormous, and consists of a head with a hand in front of it. I really enjoyed this sculpture, which looks different, but fascinating from all angles. I captured this image on one of the rare moments that no one was sitting on the hand, hiding behind it, or posing in front of it. It certainly is a popular piece of art for both kids and adults! Somehow it captures the imagination of all and makes it is irresistible for people to be part of this sculpture. But 'empty' with no people on it or around is how I liked this statue, created by Henri de Miller, at its best. In the additional photo you can see the sculpture including people, which shows the real proportions of the statue. And yes, it is enormous! Don't miss having a look at it when you are in the area, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The square "Place René Cassin", where the statue is located, is also a popular area for people to take a break from their sightseeing tours, just to have a coffee, a sandwich or simply to rest the feet a bit. Long cement benches surround the square, and the lively atmosphere of this area makes it quite an enjoyable place to sit down for a few minutes. Leave a Comment Address: Place René CassinDirections: Metro-stop: Châtelet-Les Halles Between Les Halles and the Bourse of Commerce, in front of the Church St-Eustache.
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| | | | Palais de Chaillot and Trocadero fountains: Place des Droits de l’homme | Tip Rating: | | | | |
We are now at the top, and in the middle of the Place des Droits de l’homme (Human Rights Square), a square that is alive and here is where the real fun starts. The views from here over the Eiffel Tower are fantastic, and the photo opportunities are endless. The Palais the Chaillot embraces the square with its two wings on either side, leaving one side open, creating the wonderful views from this high platform, on the Trocadero fountain below, towards the Eiffeltower and even further away the Champ des Mars. The square is crowded with people, and that attracts of course your obvious annoying street sellers, trying to sell you the most crazy kitsch pieces of souvenirs. The crazy souvenirs brought a smile to my face, but my eyes were quickly distracted by these bronze statues that align the square on either side. Around 8 or 10 of them in total if I am correct, and all slightly different, created by different artists. They make the perfect foreground and contrast when trying to capture a photo of the Eiffel Tower. Leave a Comment Address: Place du TrocaderoDirections: Metro stop: Trocadéro In the 16th arrondissement Across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower Climb the stairs of the Palais the Chaillot to get here
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on September 10, 2007
Paris
on October 29, 2006
