Cezanne and Fra Angelico Shows in Paris This Fall

Paris has 90 plus museums and monuments. How do you get to see them all! Beyond the always worth a visit Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, there are many great options. And in addition to the national museums, and City of Paris Museums, there are small gems that are privately run. Check these two out this fall:

The beautiful mansion that houses the Jacquemart-Andre museum at 158 Blvd Haussmann in the 8th is featuring a show called Fra Angelico and the Masters of Light. If you go, be sure to have lunch in the 'tea room' or enjoy an afternoon patisserie and tea. This was once the mansion's elegant dining room and it is a lovely space to relax. www.culturespaces.com September 23 to Jan. 16.

The recently renovated Museé du Luxembourg on the edge of the ever beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, 19 rue de Vaugirad in the 6th, is another wonderful small museum. From October 10 to Feb. 26 the exhibition will be on Cezanne's work. www.museeduluxembourg.fr

Indispensable Museums and Monuments Pass

The Paris region Museum and Monuments pass is your best bet for hassle free visits to 100 + Museums and Monuments in and around Paris (the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, St. Chapelle...) This is particularly useful for the major venues which often have long lines. In 2,4 or 6 day versions.

Note: starting in June 2010 the passes will have a one year expiration date (once you activate them they are only good for the two, four or six consecutve days). This mainly impacts folks who buy the passes and keep them for future use...

Go to http://en.parismuseumpass.com/ for full details, prices, and how to order before leaving on your trip (in English) or, where to buy the passes in and around Paris. You don't want to stand on a long line at the Louvre to buy a pass to save you from standing on lines.....

Your Night At Paris (anfd French) Museums

Nuit des Musées

Date: 15 May 2010

Like culture but not standing in lines to enjoy art and design? Definitely plan to be in Paris for the Nuit des Musées, or anywhere in France for that matter. On one spring night, museums across France open until 1am, offering a chance to see the Louvre, and hundreds more, for free - no tour buses in sight.

Nuit des Musées Website (http://www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr)

One Good Angel Saves Another

You will enjoy my story on the Angel of Reims and the wonderful Cité de l'Architecture in Paris. This was just posted on Bonjour Paris. Google Bonjour Paris, Sally Peabody articles or here is the link:

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/one-good-angel-saves-another/

The Rodin Museum Is a Gem

The Rodin Museum on rue de Varenne, just alongside Invalides, is a manageable gem of a museum. The collections are displayed in the lovely historic mansion and in its extensive, park-like grounds. Indeed, you can simply visit the grounds and enjoy the full scale models of Rodin's sculptures such as the emotive Burghers of Calais or the famed 'Thinker'.
Inside the mansion you will surely enjoy smaller Rodin works and also a salon dedicated to the exquisite sculptures of Camille Claudel, Rodin's muse and associate. Another benefit: the Rodin Museum and the Orsay team to offer a daily pass where you can visit the two museums on one combined ticket. They are easily walkable from each other. Until February 28 you can also enjoy a very interesting Matisse-Rodin exhibition at the Rodin Museum which explores the substantial influence that Matisse had on Rodin's sculpture and printmaking work. (Extra fee for the special show.) A wonderful, manageable collection in a gorgeous setting.... what more can you ask. www.musee-rodin.fr Metro: Invalides or Varenne RER: Invalides.

New Louvre Website in English is Available

Thirty-Five Thousand Works of Art, historic castle, mother of all museums, hip cafes, classic and contemporary architecture.... the Louvre is indisputably a remarkable place.

The extensive Louvre website, www.louvre.fr is now accessible in English. Here is the intro from the Louvre site:

"The Musée du Louvre houses 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to the permanent collections. Explore the works on display, taking a thematic or cross-departmental approach."

And remember, the Louvre complex also houses smaller museums, such as the museum of Decorative Arts, Fashion and Publicity (advertising arts). These are accessible via separate entrances off the rue de Rivoli from the main fine arts museum.

These resources are invaluable in scoping out your priorities for visits to this immense trove. Don't forget the evening opening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays. Less crowds, more flexibility though not every single gallery is open.