Any thoughts on ideas in the 16th in the area of the Musee Marmottan?
Ann Marie

Well, it's not just Monet (it's primarily Renoir), but a trip to the Ile des Impressionistes and lunch at La Maison Fournaise wouldn't seem out of place.

La Table de Joël Robuchon is in the 16ème (haven't been there myself, though it's been on the list a few times).

I don't know if you would feel like taking a break for shopping, but I've always enjoyed doing it (shopping, before anyone jumps in )on rue de Passy. You have most of the shops you'll find elsewhere in Paris, but all on the same street, plus Franck et Fils, which I love.

We visited and loved all the museums in your list. We enjoyed a lot, but we did not visit them in one day. I can go to maximum two museums in one day, but prefer to only one.
So, I can not suggest you to add another museum, but maybe to go to a park, to walk..

When I do something like this (which I did with Gustave Caillebotte!), I like adding in places in Paris where he lived and places in Paris where he painted.

So, for example, he was born at 45 rue Laffite in the 9th Arrondisement and was baptised at the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette in close proximity to his birth home.

In 1877, Monet rented a studio near the St. Lazare train station and, as I'm sure you know, did a total of 11 paintings of the train station, 7 of which he exhibited that year.

Taking photos of these spots, particularly those demarked in his paintings, is -- well at least to me -- a lot of fun!

Thanks for the ideas all. valtor, I hear your caution about so many museums in one day. I've been to all but Marmottan in the past and will not attempt to see every exhibit in each. I just thought it might be fun to focus on Monet in a variety of locations.
Ann Marie

hi Ann Marie,

when we went to the Marmottan, we had already eaten lunch [at le cinq, no less] so were not really interested in food, but there were one of two nice looking places near the metro; we had a good cup of tea at one on the corner of the street surrounded by youth who were smoking and drinking tea also - very strange.

I think that I would prioritise the ones you've not been to before - the Marmottan was very good. you could go there in the morning, have lunch nearby, and then see what you feel like.

depending when you are going, you could combine it with a visit to the Bagatelle gardens in the Bois which have terrific roses in season.

Check to be sure but I think La Table closed. There are two L'Atelier de Joel Robuchons now.

Good suggestion about la Bagatelle, a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Besides the wonderful roses, there is the folie d'Artois, built in two months as the result of a bet between Marie-Antoinette and her brother-in-law; lakes, grottoes, birds -- ducks, swans, peacocks strolling the park; some interesting structures -- gazebos, the gardener's cottage.

For me the Monets at the D'Orsay and L"Orangerie were great, but at the Marmottan they blew me away.

I'll be interested in your review.

I planned my day with L'Orangerie first because it is more likely to get busy later and with Musee D'Orsay last because I am going on a day when the museum will be open late. However, I like the idea of going directly to Marmottan and environs first and also hitting La Bagatelle. I've not been there before but I loved Jardin des Serres d'Auteil which I just stumbled upon on the way to Roland Garros one summer. hmmmm....
Ann Marie

I will be in Paris the first week of October. I wonder how the gardens will look at that time. No roses obviously.
Ann Marie

Agree with TPAYT about the Marmottan. Haven't been there for about 10 years, but still remember how terrific (and uncrowded!) it was. They have a couple of Caillebottes there too, which was one of the reasons I went there.

I do want to mention that at least when I went there, it was one of the FEW museums in Paris where you could NOT take photos. You had to leave your cameras at the front desk. Now that I think about it, while you could use a camera in Monet's Garden in Giverny, it was forbidden to take photos in the house.

amwosu, this blog post is dated the 3rd of October, so the visit was a few days before. Sorry the exhibition is finished, but it will give you some idea of what to expect in terms of flowers, etc.

http://muguetdeparis.com/2008/10/04/gardens-of-crystal-in-the-parc-de-la-bagatelle/

And I should have mentioned, about the Marmottan, as familiar as we all are with Monet's works, when I visited there for the first time, I said, "I have never seen Monet until today."

I'm not sure, perhaps it has a lot to do with not having to elbow your way through tour groups, but sitting and contemplating the works did it for me.

toupary - that garden looks lovely, and still pretty good in October.

i know that you wanted this to be a Monet day, Ann Marie, but could you stretch a point and go to the Orangerie early on another day.

without that, you'd have a very well-balanced itineray - the Marmottan, lunch, the gardens, and back into Paris for the late opening Musee D'Orsay.

I was thinking along the same lines, annhig. The Marmottan first, with the work that gave the name to the movement, and ending with l'Orangerie, with his latest and largest work -- even if on another day.

I'm following advice above and will rework the plan to start at the Marmottan. Thanks all!
Ann Marie

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Not on the same day, but have you been to Giverny? It was fascinating to see the source of his inspiration and imagine him working there in the gardens.

I write in support of travelgirl2. A shame you cant pop up to Giverny. It's not that far away.

This "Day with Monet" is part of the Fall 2012 Fodor GTG. Some of the people attending our event probably will go to Giverny that week. With just a week in Paris this time I'm going to Reims with some of the group to sip champagne.
Ann Marie

really ann marie?

sounds wonderful. though i love Monet, I've never yet made it to Giverney.

one day!

I am still dying to go to Giverny and after 4 trips to Paris have not made it (need to stop going in the Fall)!
I do love Reims and champagne, so I understand that as a day trip. Amazing cathedral!

Someone recommended to me to go to Giverny and then head to L'Orangerie later that day or first thing the next! I hope to follow that advice. The canvases at LOrangerie are amazing and I imagine that seeing them right after being in Giverny would be special.

I will miss Paris this year! Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

In case anyone wants to join us...
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-gtg-october-2012.cfm
Ann Marie

Don't let going ib=n the fall stop you fron Giverney, It id beautiful at that time of year too!

I'd think about swapping the Promenade Plantee morning for Giverny. I've done both and Giverny is much more enjoyable, especially considering your Monet day.
I would not, however, swap Reims for Giverny!

Late Fall...wasn't open.