welltraveledbrit

So we're back from our four months in Europe but I'm still blogging about our trip and I thought perhaps some of you would find my current post interesting.

At the end of March the New York Times had an article on modern architecture in Paris http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/03/31...anted=all&_r=0

The article featured a couple of interesting buildings including the Ministry of Culture which has some very interesting cladding and is close to the Louvre, just down from the Palais Royal. Anyway my BIL was visiting and as an architect was running all over the suburbs with a friend looking at interesting/sustainable public housing complexes. So inspired by the article and my BIL, we took a fun walk through a lot of the 1980s developments in Bercy, past the Cinemateque, over the river to the National Library. From here we walked along the waterfront to Nouvel's Institute du Monde Arabe. I was fascinated to see the relocated Ministry of Finance which was moved out of the Louvre as part of IM Pei's plan which of course included the now iconic glass pyramids.

If you're interested, we took with Paris Walks but you could easily do it on your own, you can see photos and more details here.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...-in-paris.html

Of course there's lots more modern architecture to see in Paris, but this is an interesting and pretty stroll. We ended on the rood of the Arab Institute and the view over Notre dame made a fabulous contrast to the building we'd been looking at.

I seem to be in a modern jag as I've also been blogging about the Dubuffet Foundation and the Pompidou too. We were fascinated to see the Dubuffet Foundation as we had no idea there was a site dedicated to his art - even though we'd seen the collection at the Pompidou and the Arts Decoratif, Recommended in case any of you are fans of Dubuffet.

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...ion-paris.html
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...-pompidou.html

Enjoy!

kerouac

This might interest you: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=4802

Coquelicot

I really liked your report, WTB. The modern and more traditional styles set each other off. I wouldn't like a purely modern Paris, but as a leavening it's refreshing.

Do you find architectural interest elsewhere in France? I enjoy the vernacular architecture in different regions, but my interest is more on the domestic side than in public buildings.

welltraveledbrit

Kerouac, I enjoyed the post, it's always good to see an new neighborhood and a new perspective. Great photos!

Coquelicot - glad you enjoyed the post. We have found the vernacular architecture interesting in rural France, particularly some of the half timbered building in places like Normandy, Mirepoix and Conques. However, I think what I found most evident on this trip was the incredible number and of wealth of fortified dwellings and towns. there are just so many mediaeval castles in places like Burgundy and the Dordogne. Exponentially more than you'd see in the UK from what I can see.

Mathieu

Thanks for the reports and great pictures WTB.
I too love modern architecture, art and design and am a big fan of Frank Gehry. I try to see as many of his buildings in countries I visit that have any, and love his signature look and curvy style, rendered in various materials.

welltraveledbrit

Mathieu, glad you enjoyed it. We're looking forward to seeing the progress on the new Gehry museum in the Blois de Boulogne next time we're in Paris.

welltraveledbrit

I've just posted a blog post on the Pompidou's 1905-1960 collection. Lots of pictures and chat!

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...dou-paris.html

taconictraveler

Great photos from all posters above. Merci!

JulieVikmanis

Great stuff. Thank you.

A few years back we did a trip to Paris in which I convinced my "modern art averse" husband to take a look at some of the newer buildings of Paris. Even he enjoyed it. Looks like it's time to repeat that and see some of the even newer places that have gone up since. Thanks again.

welltraveledbrit

Glad you enjoyed it!