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Editor Pick
Musée Rodin
- August 2, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
rufusni from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
I very much enjoyed visiting Musee Rodin the last time I was in Paris. The museum is made up of a house - Hotel Biron and the surrounding gardens. Rodin lived here from 1908 to 1917, and in return for having a state-owned apartment and studio here, he left all his works to the state. Rodin is acknowledged as the great 19th century French sculpture.
The house exhibits work by Rodin in a chronological order but also work by Camille Claudel, who was his pupil and mistress. The house also exhibits works that Rodin collected such as paintings by Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir, as well as some pictures by Rodin himself.
The collection in the house itself is interesting, but I actually enjoyed the gardens more. My views may have been influenced by the fact that it was very hot when I visited, and the house was a bit warm and stuffy.
The gardens are scattered with numerous sculptures including Rodin's most famous work 'The Thinker', and the dramatic 'The Gates of Hell.' These are the largest pieces of Rodin's works and look stunning in their settings, at least 'The Thinker' has lovely surroundings in which to ponder. The gardens are a reasonable size, with lots of nooks and crannies to explore. At the furtherest end of the garden is a lawn with sun loungers, a great place to relax. There are numerous seats around the garden to either bask in the sun or to chill in the shade. There is also a pleasant cafe in the grounds, perfect to have a drink and relax in this tranquil haven in the city.
If you are visiting Les Invalides, this is a great spot, that is close by to come and relax and see some incredible sculpture, and grab a coffee in tranquil surroundings that make you nearly forget that you are in the centre of Paris. I loved the gardens here, and it would be somewhere on my list to go back to in Paris, but I'd probably skip the house next time even if it is quite interesting.
Tickets to the house and gardens are 5 euros, and to the gardens only 1 euro, and is included in the Paris Museum Pass. The Museum is closed on Mondays. Opening hours vary on season from April to September 9.30am-5.45pm and October to March 9.30am-4.45pm. Further details can be found on the musuem's website at www.musee-rodin.fr
From journal Exploring Paris
Editor Pick
Rodin Museum
Located in the 7e arrondissement, this museum was one of the best museums I've attended. I purchased a two-day Paris Museum Pass and, after visiting all the major sights, I decided to hit this museum to see my favorite Rodin sculptures.
It's a relatively small museum but definitely worthwhile, whether you have the pass or not. Many of Rodin's sculptures are out in the lush rose gardens complete with small fountains and pretty tree-lined avenues. Student rate is €5 and adult rate is €7 for full access to the museum, exhibitions, and gardens. For budget-conscious people, the museum is free on the first Sunday of every month.
I was particularly taken with Rodin's "The Burghers of Calais", "The Gates of Hell", and of course, "The Thinker". As an art enthusiastic, it was thrilling to be up and close with such masterpieces. There is a small garden for children and a cafe on-site as well as respectable tour guides.
This is definitely a must-see for everyone, especially when most popular museums are over-crowded and overwhelming.
From journal Vive La Paris
Musée Rodin
- March 2, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
ekasha from carrboro, North Carolina
If you do not like museums, but feel like you should go to one when you are in Paris, this would be the one to go to! We went here the last day we were in Paris, after we had done the Louvre and the Orsay. The Thinker is outside. And by the way, Rodin lived inside the house which is now the museum.
From journal IUSSP Trip to France: Paris, Tours, Nice
Editor Pick
Musee Rodin
- November 25, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Ed Hahn from Hong Kong, China
The Musee Rodin is within easy walking distance of Les Invalides. The museum is in what was once the Hotel Biron, where Rodin lived and had his studio the last 10 years of his life.
Auguste Rodin may be the most famous sculptor of modern times, maybe of all time, excepting Michelangelo, of course. Some of his most famous works, all of which are on display here, are “The Thinker,” The Burghers of Calais,” “The Kiss,” and the unforgettable “Gates of Hell.”
The Hotel Biron has a fascinating history of its own. It was built between 1728 and 1730. Designed by Jean Aubert, the beauty of the facade, is equaled by the internal decoration and skillfully carved paneling in the second-floor rooms. In 1753, the house was bought by the Marshall of Biron, from whom it got its name. He was responsible for creating the gardens, which now house the sublime works of Rodin.
After the Marshall's death, the house entered a period of decline and was rented out for public functions until 1820, when it was handed over to the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to serve as a austere, religious boarding school for young girls. When the State confiscated it in 1905, it was but an empty shell surrounded by weeds. Although it was meant to be demolished it instead became a temporary home for many artists including Rodin.
Eventually he hatched a plan of handing over everything he had collected to the State on condition that a museum devoted to him be set up at the Hôtel Biron. The museum was officially opened in 1919, two years after Rodin’s death.
Tom, who prefers sculpture to paintings, is blown away, particularly by the gardens where so many of Rodin’s works are placed. While I am wandering the gardens, the skies open wide with a steady and heavy downpour. I take shelter but eventually decide to make a run for the main building. My feeble efforts to dodge the raindrops fail miserably, and I get soaked.
The museum itself is interesting but not as compelling as the garden. It contains hundreds of Rodin's drawings as well as many miniature renderings of his works. The paintings and decorations endemic to the house which were fortuitously rescued after WW II are interesting but the museum is packed with steamy people staying out of the rain making the environment very stuffy and humid. I’m now so tired, I don’t enjoy it as much as I could. I find Tom, and we leave as soon as the rain lets up.
The museum has a great website at http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm.
Summer hours are: 9:30am – 5:45pm; winter hours: 9:45am – 4:45pm. In the summer, the garden stays open until 6:45pm. The museum is closed Mondays. Admission is five euros, under 18 free.
From journal Ah, Paris!!!
Rodin Museum
- September 26, 2005
- Rated 3 of 5 by
food from Columbia, Maryland
The museum presents a full range of Rodin's works, housed in a historic mansion where he once lived and worked. He placed his creations in the beautiful gardens in back of the mansion. On the day we visited, we packed a picnic lunch and had it in the gardens. The setting was perfect for drinking our wine and eating our cheese and bread. We loved the ambience of the place, which was a nice respite from a hecitic trip. Notable works of art we liked included Rodin's "The Thinker" and a bronze work called "The Gates of Hell." This place is a must for anyone who loves art and wishes for a romantic interlude.
From journal Paris revisited