Bob Brown

For this next trip to Paris, I am constucting a list of smaller, perhaps less well known, but yet highly rewarding places to visit. Three French museum attractions that I would like to hear more about from Fodorites are: Hotel de Soubise, Hotel de Rohan, and Musee Nissim de Camondo.<BR> <BR>A fourth attraction is the Institut de Monde Arabe. I realize it is not in the same area of classification as the first three, but it is one place that I have not yet taken the time to visit. I have no interest in in depth study; I would mainly be going for museum-like exhibits. <BR><BR>So your comments pro and con, please. The objective is to keep the places on my list, or to remove one or more of them and seek a replacement.<BR>

Christina

Bob, I have not been the the Nissim Museum but have that on my list for next time, also; I haven't been to the Arabe Institute, either. However, I've been to the National Archives and found them well worth the visit, but I am a French history buff. I could be wrong, but I believe the Hotels de Rohan and Soubise are right next to each other and the archives are in both of them. There are a lot of original documents which I like viewing, as well as some other artifacts and furniture, etc. As I recall, there is really more there that I would call the "history of France" or Paris than in the Carnavalet. The buildings are interesting, also. I would definitely go there if you are a history/document buff. You don't have to spend that much time there that it should impact your trip that much, an hour or two could be enough.

BTilke

Hi Bob, I've been to the Nissim de Camondo museum a couple of times. It's very interesting, or as Barbara Bush said when she visited "isn't this the darnedest place you've ever seen?". Lots of tapestries, furnishings, etc. The top floor tells the story of the Camondo family and their tragic deaths at the hands of the Nazis (which makes the museum also worthwhile for anyone interested in Jewish families in Paris). When I was there, a tour group of suburban schoolteachers passed through and I tagged behind to hear the lectures (and learned that many medieval tapestries were flawed--people in them often had two left hands). <BR>We went to the Monde Arabe last year for their exhibit on Coptic Christians, which I found fascinating. I think that exhibit is gone, however. I was less impressed with the rest of it than I had expected.<BR>A really tiny, but intriguing museum, is the Curie Museum tucked off the corner of the Institut Pasteur. It's Marie Curie's old offices--has lots of neat stuff crammed in. The place was actually so contaminated with radiation that it was off limits to everyone until the 1970s when a massive cleanup took place.

btilke

Hi Bob, I've been to the Nissim de Camondo museum a couple of times. It's very <BR>interesting, or as Barbara Bush said when she visited "isn't this the darnedest place <BR>you've ever seen?". Lots of tapestries, furnishings, etc. The top floor tells the story <BR>of the Camondo family and their tragic deaths at the hands of the Nazis (which <BR>makes the museum also worthwhile for anyone interested in Jewish families in <BR>Paris). When I was there, a tour group of suburban schoolteachers passed through and I tagged behind to hear the lectures (and learned that many medieval tapestries were flawed--people in them often had two left hands). <BR>We went to the Monde Arabe last year for their exhibit on Coptic Christians, which I found fascinating. I think that exhibit is gone, however. I was less impressed with the rest of it than I had expected.<BR>A really tiny, but intriguing museum, is the Curie Museum tucked off the corner of <BR>the Institut Pasteur. It's Marie Curie's old offices--has lots of neat stuff crammed in. The place was actually so contaminated with radiation that it was off limits to everyone until the 1970s when a massive cleanup took place.

elvira

Hotel de Soubise is really interesting; not only is it over-the-top decorating, but the top floor has French documents, like an order signed by Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette's last letter she wrote, and an illustrated book from the 1200's. <BR><BR>Hotel de Rohan holds other official documents, I breezed through it a couple of years ago but don't remember it.<BR><BR>The Musee Nissim de Camondo is a lovely place - looks out on Parc Monceau (visit that, too, while you're there), house has quite a history. The de Camondos were Jews who collected beautiful 18th century art, porcelain, silverware, etc. throughout their generations. Everything is exquisite; sadly, the last of the line were killed during the Holocaust and there was no one to inherit.<BR><BR>Missed the Institut de Monde Arabe this last trip (never been, on the itinerary, went shopping instead) so I'm interested in people's opinions on this as well.<BR><BR> <BR><BR>

Bob Brown

Well, those places do sound like I must put them on my list for sure. The Arab place will be last however.<BR>My wife in particular likes tapestry, beautiful furniture and other art objects. She will not however think it is the darndest place!!<BR>She has a little too much class for that!! I know her reaction, mine too, to some of the lavish furnishings at Versailles and Sch&ouml;nbrunn was that expensive wood, huge size, and gold inlays did not necessarily make a couch or a table a work of art. Besides, this will be her 3rd trip to Paris, and she enjoys them as much as I do. <BR>Target #2 on this trip is the Richelieu Wing of the Lourvre. (#1 is Vaux le Vicomte at night.)

Bob Brown

PS. My father, long deceased, was a chemist, with a keen interest in the history of chemistry. He, more than any scientist I ever met, knew full well that we all stand on the shoulders of giants. Pasteur was one such scientist whose knowlege cut across many disciplines.<BR>Marie Curie, also is in that category.<BR><BR>So along with the tapestry and the letters from Marie Antoinette, visiting the place where Pasteur worked will be like visiting a shrine.<BR>I will have a very busy, but rewarding day coming up. <BR>And thanks to all of you for responding.<BR>Paris will always hold an attraction, that is for sure.

Paul

Try the Musee Nationale de Ceramique de Serves which is quite an amazing collection of ceramics. Easy to get to by Metro. Also the just renovated Musee des Arts et Metiers for a genuine attic of old scientific and mechanical stuff (think Smithsonian but in French). An added attraction if it is hot - air conditioning.

Sue

The Musee Jacquemart-Andre on blvd. Haussman is beautiful and interesting--a private hotel/house left to the city of Paris with the stipulation that it be left just as is. The architecture, furnishings and art are really something (Chardin, Fragonard, Rembrandt, etc.)

Bob Brown

I,m still taking notes. The Louvre is at risk of being displaced. Reading more about all of these places makes me wonder why I did not go there last year.<BR>Well I know, I simply ran out of time.<BR>But, Paris is a place that is always easy to see again, and again. Leave something for the next excuse to go there.<BR>I am sure that some of you out there know what I mean when I say that there is no city quite like it.<BR>

Sue

I found an interesting quote from Elliot Paul (The Last Time I Saw Paris) which expresses our feelings: "The last time I see Paris will be on the day I die. The city was inexhaustible, and so is its memory."

Christina

Sounds like you have plenty to do. I'm also interested in decorative arts, and did like the Jacquemart Andre museum very much. I wasn't crazy about the Cognacq-Jay museum, however; mainly the time period, I think, is not my favorite. You have seen the Music Museum, haven't you? That is a must-see for me if you are interested in classical music, which I think you are. Now it might be more interesting if you play the piano, which I do, because they have some outstanding historical pianos in there, by Pleyel, Erhard, etc. <BR><BR>The Richelieu wing is wonderful of course, as well as the Decorative Arts museum on rue de Rivoli, but I believe that is closed for renovation--it was when I was there last summer, anyway.