annesherrod

I am so excited to be going to Paris at the end of March! It is not my first time, but I want to look at it again through the eyes of first timer to the city. I am taking my 18 yo DD.

We are staying at Renaissance Paris Vendome in the the 1st Arrondsient. She is going off to colege in the Fall to study Art. - what off the cuff museums are worth the experience and time in your opinion?

Also - any vintage boutiques nearby? ( I was in London last year and found an amazing Prada evening bag that I love) Hoping to find one item while in Paris -

I am sure I will have more questions soon....

annesherrod

Arrondissement - darn - did not spell check...

cmcfong

It sounds like a great trip, Anne. Lots of memories for both of you to be made. I highly recommend Musee D'Orsay. Bon voyage.

cathies

Musee Rodin for an arts student. Lots of the works are collaboration works with Rodin's students as well as his own works. Plus, the statues in the gardens are gorgeous.

leuk2

Try the Marmottan.

cw

I really enjoyed our visit to the Jacquemart-Andre Museum. Take a look and see if it is on interest to you and your daughter: http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en/jacquemart/

Fodorite018

I agree, sounds like a nice trip! We have been a few times, but the last trip was last summer, just DD and myself for her high school graduation so a similar situation as you. Places that she enjoyed were the Louvre (went a few times so it wasn't so overwhelming, including a Friday night which was really nice), the Orsay, and the Rodin. She liked St. Michelle, but the crowds were a bit much that day, which bothered her a bit. One place that she liked that surprised her a bit was Invalides.

We have stayed in the 1st twice, including the last trip. For us, it worked well and we found all sorts of great places near our apt.

One thing that we did that I would recommend if it fits your interests, is a cooking class. We took a morning macaron class with Cookin With Class and it was great. We had a ball and of course learned how to make macarons, so what is better than that

Enjoy

MelJ

A friend introduced me to the Musee Bourdelle last October and I LOVED it! I think it's in the 14th. He was a protege of Rodin (another favorite of mine) and the influence is obvious. The musee is his home, workshop and gardens. Really a wonderful place.

Also check the Orangery for special exhibits.

Margaretlb

Well, you're going to the right city with your art major
In addition to the biggies - Musee du Louvre, d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou - I've a couple of additional suggestions. The Musee Rodin would seem a must (although, if you live in/near Philadelphia and your time is limited, you could think about skipping)and the Jacquemart Andre has some wonderful Italian renaissance and old master works. How about Picasso? http://www.musee-picasso.fr/
The Pinacotetheque de Paris has had some interesting special exhibits:http://www.pinacotheque.com/en.html
Hand in hand with the waterlilies at the Musee Onangerie ( http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/ ) would be a visit to the Musee Marmottan Monet - http://www.marmottan.com/uk/index_uk.asp - this is where Monet's "Impression Sunrise" (which lent its name to the movement)is located. Also, the Marmottan has an entire room of paintings by Berte Marisol who was the only woman artist of the founding Impressionists - she was Manet's sister-in-law and these works were donated by her grandson and well worth your daughters time to view!
Another interesting museum located close to Musee Rodin is Musee Maillol: http://www.museemaillol.com/index2.html
Is your daughter interested in textile art? If so, the Cluny has a very important tapestry cycle: http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/ang/index.html

These are some of my favorites but there are many more museums in Paris!!

Margaretlb

Some non-museum stuff:
Here are some shopping walks from ChicWalks.com: http://www.chicwalks.com/paris.html

And an event guide:
http://paris.eventguide.com/

Paris food markets - pretty as a picture:
http://www.parismarkets.net/

klondike

I didn't see the Centre Pompidou/Beaubourg mentioned for modern art, but my first choices would also be Orsay, Rodin then Louvre (it's just that it's sooo big and overwhelming at first).

The Cluny is my favorit smaller, intimate museum though that would be more for historical artefacts than for art per se.

annesherrod

Thank you everyone for terrific suggestions and web sites! I look forward to looking into them a little bit more!

laurie_ann

Since you are staying in the 1st, don't miss the Museum of Decorative Arts. It is in same complex as the Louvre. Relatively recently redone and great furniture, etc. from entire French history. http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/

tuscanlifeedit

annesherrod: I'm not sure what you mean by "off the cuff" museums. You might want to plan around your museum visits, for opening and closing times, which have long lines, passes, etc.

I also love visiting Paris for the many amazing temporary art exhibits we get to see.

cathies

Go to St Chapelle later in the day - around 4pm. Hopefully there will still be good light. The tour groups will be gone by then, and once you are through the security checks then there is only a quick wait to get into St Chapelle.

lincasanova

You can get concert tickets for St Chapelle at www.lastminute.fr for a discount most days.

annesherrod

tuscan - I should have said -" Off the beaten path" isntead off the cuff,. but I think everyone knew what I meant.

ie - Musée Bourdelle or Musée du Monparnasse that offer a smaller number of a limited genre.....

I like Crime museums for example but we are trying to stick to Art!

Nikki

When I was in Paris with my daughter the art student, we went to the Palais de Tokyo. This is a large space stripped down and given over to presentations of various types by contemporary artists- installations, video, painting, sculpture, whatever. It is an interesting reflection of art being produced now.

Luisah

"Berte Marisol"

Berthe Morisot. The Marmottan is a lovely museum in Passy, an interesing area -- might be good for shopping. I had a nice lunch there after my visit to the Marmottan. The Orsay has wonderful Impressionist paintings. I enjoyed the museum in the Palais de Tokyo.

avalon

Most of my favorites have already been mentioned. ANd I'm sure she'd enjoy the Petit Palais.