Tour of the small Parisian museums – Part 2
More intimate than their elders, and often neglected by the classical tourist tours, the small Parisian museums held many surprises and treasures of the parisian history. The hotel Raspail Montparnasse proposes here a second tour of the small museums of Paris, to pursue their discovery…
Bourdelle
The Bourdelle museum, less than 10 minutes’ walk away from the hotel, is a beautiful place to stroll and linger in. Dive into the exciting life of the artist Antoine Bourdelle! You will discover his workshop, renovated and enlarged to welcome his works as well as his contemporarie’s, masters or pupils (Rodin, Giacometti, Richier …) and also superb temporary exhibitions. Lively place and a museum, the atmosphere there is quiet and surprisingly peaceful. We recommend the audio guide, which describes the life of Bourdelle throughout the visit, and is a real plus to it
Zadkine
Located one subway stop away from the Bourdelle museum (Falguière – Notre-Dame Des Champs on line 12), the Zadkine Museum is a very refreshing spot in Paris. Formerly the house and workshop of the Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine, you can there discover his sculptures. Not to mention its lovely garden. It’s a real small piece of countryside reflecting the soul of the artist. Moreover, some of the bronze sculptures of the garden were placed there by Zadkine himself!
Carnavalet
Take the bus 38 in the direction of Porte d’Orleans, and get off at Val de Grace (barely 10 minutes). There you will see the Carnavalet museum, dedicated to the history of Paris. From the Gallo-Roman era to the French Revolution, passing through the Middle Ages, the Carnavalet museum whisks you off a journey through time in the city of Light.
Visit the most Parisian museums of the capital! Only 10 minutes away from the Petit Palais by metro (line 1 Concorde – Saint Paul)
Cognac-Jay
200 meters further, you can find the Cognacq-Jay Museum. Discover a brilliant collection of works and art objects from the 18th century, legacy of Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ. This museum is housed in a magnificent 16th century hotel, recently renovated and classified as a historical monument. With lighting meticulously highlighting the artworks, it is a treat for the eye. Arts of the 18th century lovers, this small Parisian museum is for you! Indeed, the soul and the refinement of Parisian life during the Enlightenment century emanates from Watteau’s drawings, paintings by Greuze, Rembrandt, or Fragonard, but also porcelains from Saxony … It really is a museum in which to stroll feeling good.
Delacroix
We recommend a walk in the Marais neighborhood before the next and last step. Thus, let’s go down to l’île de la Cité, and stop at the beautiful Queen Elizabeth II flower market. Then, direction Saint Germain des Prés (4 metro stops on line 4) to visit the beautiful museum Eugene Delacroix. Dependence of the Louvre museum, located in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés in Paris, this museum pulls you into the romantic and intimate universe of the great painter. It is indeed a singular museum, formed by the former apartment of the painter, his studio and his “happy garden”. Artist’s house and place filled with history, it is a captivating spot where calm and serenity reign. It’s a marveling place in the heart of Paris!
To finish this tour, take line 4 to Vavin metro stop, 90 meters away from the hotel (3 stops only).
Blossoming in the shadow of big museums such as the Pompidou Center or the Musée d’Orsay, these small Parisian museums unveil a hidden side of Paris. It would be a such a waste not to visit it…
Try not to miss our next article dedicated to the 16th arrondissement of Paris, with a visit to the awesome Marmottant museum …
