kerouac

The internet is very easy to use, so I cannot imagine not being able to decide which places besides Paris should be visited. There are endless options, but if this is the first trip, I would absolutely say that London-Paris-Rome-Amsterdam would be the top spots to see art (in terms of paintings in museums). If other cities can be added, so much the better.

The OP should probably do a bit more research and then ask some more specific questions.

AlessandraZoe

I wish the OP would chime in.

My kids loved art. It had nothing to do with me. I was an artsy kid with little interest in the art of others; I just liked to draw, which much to my surprise, my kids NEVER did.

However, early on, when I realized crayons just were not ever going to be their source of joy, I found that I could plop them in strollers and wheel them into our local art museum and unlike me, they could stare for hours.

Good for mom; great for kid.

Paris was our first international art destination when the youngest was in 2nd or 3rd grade; the oldest was in middle school by then. That trip went well because a) our local museum had a pretty good Impressionist collection for them to draw upon and b) our "Art Lady" program at our elementary school emphasized Impressionists. Ergo, the Musee d'Orsay was a joy to them.

London was our second art destination. They loved the old Tate.

But they tell me today that our next destination should have been our starting point, and I concur...

FLORENCE

The rebirth of art has to be the most exciting non-religious story ever told. And the Uffizi Museum in Florence there tells it in chronological order (unlike MOST museums).

Florence abounds in gems. We spent a week there, doing gelato, museum, gelato, church, gelato, museum with a fun sidetrip to touristy Pisa.

The Duomo is an architectural lesson in itself.

Both kids, now adults, were able to go with my husband and me to Milan for "The Last Supper" and Padua for Giotto's chapel, and both said, "We cannot believe that our understanding of both still goes back to one trip to Florence."

Happy planning.

tom_mn

Having just visited Rome and recently Paris and previously Florence and Madrid, just want say the USA is filled with fabulous art in well lit air conditioned galleries often uncrowded and free. Just saying it's so hot and crowded here in Europe with so many tour groups and selfie sticks it's yucky in a lot of ways. Appreciate what is at home.

McLisa

Thank you all for your comments. I've just asked my rising sophomore what her favorites are. Right now she says -- Art: impressionism, post-impressionism & Architecturally: Gothic & Romanesque styles. {I wonder if this list will change or simply broaden after she takes AP Art History this year in school?]

McLisa

McLisa

Thank you all for your comments. I've just asked my rising sophomore what her favorites are. Right now she says -- Art: impressionism, post-impressionism & Architecturally: Gothic & Romanesque styles. {I wonder if this list will change or simply broaden after she takes AP Art History this year in school?]

McLisa

ssander

For Gothic architecture, don't miss the St. Denis cathedral in Paris. IMHO it is more mystical than ND...and is arguably the first Gothic cathedral in Europe.

Obviously the Orsay for impressionism and post-impressionism.

SS

quokka

I see, that's the typical beginners' answer;-)
Anyway - I think, all this screams Paris. I would focus on France, and add a smaller cathedral town like Chartres or Reims, and perhaps a bit of Burgundy for the Romanesque.

kja

"I suspect we will go to Paris to the various museums there. If we could only pick one or 2 other cities to add to that trip, what would you choose (for you art-lovers)? Rome or Florence? Maybe a 12-day trip, give or take ... I've just asked my rising sophomore what her favorites are. Right now she says -- Art: impressionism, post-impressionism & Architecturally: Gothic & Romanesque styles."

You might consider Amsterdam and Bruges -- with Paris, I think that would be a great 12 day trip, give or take.

Or Paris and London, with a few day trips from each (e.g., Chartres and Giverny from Paris and Oxford and ... from London).

You are certainly not hurting for options!

Your daughter is very lucky to have this opportunity.

AlessandraZoe

I agree with Quokka that right now it screams Paris. But after the AP Art History Class, that might change. Here is the basic overview of that course:
https://secure-media.collegeboard.or...e-overview.pdf

But still...

If you did nothing but Impressionists (and I think it would be a GREAT idea to focus on one school of painting if you include its pre- and post- stages), Paris and nearby areas would keep you busy.

In fact, if you just limited the trip to Monet, his influences and those he influenced, you'd have a great basis for a fabulous trip.

The Musée d'Orsay, obviously, may have the biggest and most well-regarded Impressionist collection in the world, but the Marmotton-Monet and l'Orangerie are also musts.

If you add post-Impressionists, the Musée Picasso gets added onto the list.

Guiding yourself around Montmartre, the Paris home of so many Impressionists and their pre- and post- buddies, would give you a feel their lives. You might enjoy a stop at the Musée de Montmartre and the Jardins Renoir, both of which are more about atmosphere than actual art (but still interesting).

You certainly should include a daytrip (can be done by train or tour bus) to Monet's Giverny, and adding Van Gogh* into the mix would mean a short daytrip to Auvers-sur-Oise (there is a direct train on Sundays April-October that leaves from platform 34 from the Gare du Nord at 9:38 a.m. and departs Auvers at 6:25 p.m.)

Further afield from Paris is the Musée d'art moderne André Malraux in Le Havre. We all forget that Monet's roots were at the Le Havre seaside, where he was taught as a young man "en plein air" technique by Boudin.

In fact, you could create a lovely and relaxing itinerary by train over a few days:
--Paris to Vernon (Giverny)
--Vernon to Rouen (to see the subject of the Rouen Cathedral Series)
--Rouen to Le Havre (Musée d'art moderne André Malraux)

Yes, you could also do this route by car. Honfleur, on the way to Le Havre, is a delightful town, and you can't access that by train directly. However, if you don't want to rent a car (we hate renting cars) you certainly CAN get a bus to Honfleur from Le Havre.

I do emphasize Honfleur because not only was it the subject of many Monet paintings, but it was also painted by Courbet, Cals, Dubourg, Boudin, Bazille, Corot, Sisley and Jongkind. And it is so darn cute!

We could keep adding and adding to this basic premise, but I think you see that by focusing on this time period in this smaller geographic area, you would have MORE than enough to see and enjoy without wasting precious hours in transit. And instead of feeling "scattered", as so often happens in travel, you'll feel more and more entranced by what you are absorbing.

And you'll eat well.

Happy planning,
AZ

*<i>A quick trip up to Amsterdam by train would take you to Van Gogh Museum there, but I still prefer the quality of the Van Gogh collection in the Musee d'Orsay. While I love Amsterdam, I don't think this museum is worth the trip, especially since most of the paintings by Van Gogh we know and love were not painted in the Netherlands! (If you were studying northern painters, however, I could write THAT itinerary for you).</i>

kelsey22

bookmarking -

McLisa

AlessandraZoe, I wish we could sit down for lunch one day & chat!!! Thanks for your thoughtful replies.

I have been to the Hermitage in Russia, Rijks Museum, etc, MFA in Boston (we have yet to go to NYC's Met) & many others in Europe. But I will say that I personally enjoyed Musee d' Orsay this summer in Paris more than I've enjoyed any museum in my lifetime. The Louvre was suffocating w/ the heat & crowds. I have not yet been to Italy. Can't wait to see what my daughter wants to see.

McLisa

eastenderusvi

I loved Impressionism until I saw my first Vermeer...

AlessandraZoe

eastenderusvi--
So that's why we did Amsterdam/Bruges/Den Hague and stops in between.

...about a decade later

rtwin80days

Bookmarking - what an educational thread. Thanks to all knowledgeable people here.

IMDonehere

BTW, the Van Gogh in Amsterdam is one the best single subject museums we have visited.

McLIsa

Your daughters interests are common for someone first beginning to appreciate art and architecture. I am always torn between a laissez-faire attitude of allowing someone to navigate their way through various periods, media, and genres or direct involvement.

I am of the opinion that artists should be a little to full outlaws, but without neglecting their craft or understanding the history. The hardest thing in any art form is a combination of beauty and intellect or beauty and strength. Encourage her to read about theory and history not just what is on the canvass or how the finished building.

eastenderusvi

AlessandraZoe: It has taken me an extra decade, but that is my fall trip. ;-)

kja

"the Van Gogh in Amsterdam is one the best single subject museums we have visited."

I agree. That's one reason I suggested Paris, Amsterdam, and Bruges. That combination would allow a LOT of time with Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, along with a chance to see some wonderful masterpieces of other eras. And it would, IMO, add to the architectural variety of the trip, all in places that are scenic and offer great food....

McLisa

We just went to the Clark Art Institute in western Mass. last week. They were having a special van Gogh exhibit (plus Whistler too, his "mother" visiting from d'Orsay!). Great exhibit, well-done. Too many great choices to choose from. Wish we were independently wealthy & could homeschool our way around the world!

McLisa

If we do Florence, Rome & Paris, we'd like to end in Paris. So would you recommend flying into Florence (from Boston), then train to Rome, then train to Paris? Or fly into Rome first, then hit Florence, then go to Paris? And pls tell me WHY you would choose your choice. Thanks!

kja

You have about 12 days? Personally, with a love of art -- and especially Impressionism / Post-Impressionism, I would NOT try to do Florence, Rome, and Paris in ANY order! (1) IME, 12 days is not enough for these 3 cities for anyone with a serious interest in art, for whom at least 5 days per city, plus travel time, would make more sense. (2) Florence and Rome have stunning works of art -- but the masterpieces are primarily Renaissance and earlier. Yes, there are some magnificent later works, but not as many as some other cities.

If you've ruled Amsterdam out because of your recent visit to an exhibition of his work, then you might consider Paris and London.