Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This intimate, less-touristed mansion onthe southwest fringe ofurban Paris has the best col-
lection of works by the father of Impressionism, Claude Monet (1840-1926). Fiercely inde-
pendent and dedicated to his craft, Monet gave courage to the other Impressionists in the
face of harsh criticism.
Though the museum is not arranged chronologically, you can trace his life. You'll see
black-and-white sketches from his youth, his discovery of open-air painting, and the can-
vas—
Impression: Sunrise
—that gave Impressionism its name. There are portraits of his
wives and kids, and his well-known “series” paintings (done at different times of day) of
London, Gare St. Lazare, and the Cathedral of Rouen. The museum's highlight is scenes
fromhisgardenatGiverny—therosetrellis,theJapanesebridge,andthelarger-than-lifewa-
ter lilies.
In addition, the Marmottan features a world-class collection of works by Berthe Morisot
and other Impressionists; an eclectic collection of non-Monet objects (furniture, illuminated
manuscript drawings); and temporary exhibits.
Cost and Hours:
€10, not covered by Museum Pass, audioguide-€3, Tue-Sun
10:00-18:00,Thuuntil20:00,closedMon,lastentry30minutesbeforeclosing,2RueLouis-
Boilly, Mo: La Muette, tel. 01 44 96 50 33,
www.marmottan.com
.
(See “Left Bank” map,
here
.)
Opposite Notre-Dame, on the left bank of the Seine, is the Latin Quarter.
ThistreasuretroveofMiddleAges(MoyenAge)artfillsoldRomanbaths,offeringclose-up
looks at stained glass, Notre-Dame carvings, fine goldsmithing and jewelry, and rooms of
tapestries. The highlights are several original stained-glass windows from Sainte-Chapelle
and the exquisite Lady and the Unicorn series of six tapestries: A delicate, as-medieval-as-
can-be noble lady introduces a delighted unicorn to the senses of taste, hearing, sight, smell,
and touch. This museum helps put the Middle Ages in perspective, reflecting a time when
Europe was awakening from a thousand-year slumber and Paris was emerging on the world
stage. Trade was booming, people actually owned chairs, and the Renaissance was moving
in like a warm front from Italy.
Cost and Hours:
€8, free on first Sun of month, covered by Museum Pass, ticket in-
cludesaudioguidethoughpassholdersmustpay€1;Wed-Mon9:15-17:45,closedTue,ticket
office closes at 17:15; near corner of Boulevards St. Michel and St. Germain at 6 Place Paul
Painlevé; Mo: Cluny-La Sorbonne, St. Michel, or Odéon; tel. 01 53 73 78 16,
www.musee-
