If you had to choose...Musee Jacquemart Andre or Nissim de Camondo
Sep 3rd, 2016, 06:47 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its the JA for the mansion itself, especially Parent's double staircase in the Winter Garden, attempted revenge on his rival Garnier. Parent came in second in the competition. The NC has wonderful period furnishings and of course gives the additional excuse of visiting Parc Monceau.
Sep 3rd, 2016, 07:55 PM
#23
I have been to both. They are not similar in my mind. If I were you I'd try to see both. Jacquemart Andre often has good traveling exhibitions, and as I like painting, I have visited several times for that reason, always also viewing the permanent collection. NdC is very different, and extremely interesting for other reasons.
Parc Monceau is wonderful in the spring and summer--have not visited in other seasons.
Parc Monceau is wonderful in the spring and summer--have not visited in other seasons.
Sep 3rd, 2016, 09:06 PM
#24
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The JA, of itself, is just another extravagant posh house, stuffed with the (mostly predictable and underwhelming) art collection its besotted owners amassed while running their real business into the ground. If that kind of thing appeals to you (it sends me to sleep), fine - but most cities have a few just like it: the JA differs from them mostly in the spectacular tedium of its architecture. Life's usually too short to waste time gawping at even more allegedly high-class derivative home furnishings.
BUT its one-off exhibitions are often spectacular, featuring truly glorious works of art - and are often NOT travelling exhibitions at all, or are at most joint ventures with one other major partner (like a single smallish Italian museum), otherwise available only in one other town.
The downside can be that le tout Paris relishes these opportunities to see, for example, Renaissance wonders you'd normally have to schlep to Cremona or Ferrara to see. So tickets can sell out rapidly.
Defintely worth checking whether the JA's current blockbuster's for you when you're likely to be in Paris. Otherwise....
BUT its one-off exhibitions are often spectacular, featuring truly glorious works of art - and are often NOT travelling exhibitions at all, or are at most joint ventures with one other major partner (like a single smallish Italian museum), otherwise available only in one other town.
The downside can be that le tout Paris relishes these opportunities to see, for example, Renaissance wonders you'd normally have to schlep to Cremona or Ferrara to see. So tickets can sell out rapidly.
Defintely worth checking whether the JA's current blockbuster's for you when you're likely to be in Paris. Otherwise....
Sep 4th, 2016, 05:36 AM
#26
As they are sort of close together, we visited both in one afternoon.
For us the JA was better, brighter & better art----also the cafe was very good.
NC was smaller and darker and unfortunately somewhat depressing due to the story.
Parc Monceau was lovely & one of our favorites----but then, don't you travel to Paris in Dec? Probably not the best time for parks.
For us the JA was better, brighter & better art----also the cafe was very good.
NC was smaller and darker and unfortunately somewhat depressing due to the story.
Parc Monceau was lovely & one of our favorites----but then, don't you travel to Paris in Dec? Probably not the best time for parks.
Sep 4th, 2016, 06:31 AM
#27
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been to both museums many times and love them both, but they are very different in feeling, as many posters have said. If you go to the JA, don't overlook the Italian collection upstairs, with a couple of minor Donatello bronzes and other interesting art.
Just to complicate things, if you like French 18th-century art and furniture and you find yourself in the Marais, there's the Cognacq-Jay museum, which houses the collection of the owners of La Samaritaine. It feels more museum-y than the NdC, and for that reason I'd pick the NdC if you visit only one.
They all have their own appeal, but you can look at the websites and get an idea of what they offer. All three are beautiful and well worth your time.
Just to complicate things, if you like French 18th-century art and furniture and you find yourself in the Marais, there's the Cognacq-Jay museum, which houses the collection of the owners of La Samaritaine. It feels more museum-y than the NdC, and for that reason I'd pick the NdC if you visit only one.
They all have their own appeal, but you can look at the websites and get an idea of what they offer. All three are beautiful and well worth your time.
Sep 4th, 2016, 11:56 AM
#28
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just want to add, for fans of The Hare with Amber Eyes, the Ephrussi house is still there in the same neighbourhood, at 81 rue de Monceau. Of course, it has changed a bit, but you can go into the courtyard and get an idea of how the collector (a rival of Camondo) lived. Here is a photo:
https://www.google.fr/maps/place/81+...150f0b!6m1!1e1
https://www.google.fr/maps/place/81+...150f0b!6m1!1e1
Sep 4th, 2016, 01:18 PM
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I never cease to be amazed by how much info one can get by asking a question on the forum! Thanks for all your replies on this (please continue to post)!
And, yes TPAYT, we will be in Paris in December but we won't let that deter us from a park visit or two. Certainly, we will never catch the parks at their flowering best in December but there is still value in making a lap or two while we are there.
I have started The Hare with Amber Eyes. Can't wait to get into it!
And, yes TPAYT, we will be in Paris in December but we won't let that deter us from a park visit or two. Certainly, we will never catch the parks at their flowering best in December but there is still value in making a lap or two while we are there.
I have started The Hare with Amber Eyes. Can't wait to get into it!
Sep 4th, 2016, 02:38 PM
#32
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Denisea.
Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Lots of information. In December, without all the greenery it ought to be easier to study the manses. One over the top is that belonging to Menier of Chocolate fame.
If you're so inclined. the below links to a list of address and their former proprietaires around the Parc de Monceau. Many familiar names.
http://www.parisartstudies.com/index...d=304&Itemid=1
Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Lots of information. In December, without all the greenery it ought to be easier to study the manses. One over the top is that belonging to Menier of Chocolate fame.
If you're so inclined. the below links to a list of address and their former proprietaires around the Parc de Monceau. Many familiar names.
http://www.parisartstudies.com/index...d=304&Itemid=1
Sep 5th, 2016, 05:47 AM
#34
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been to both, but keep going back to the JA. Love the tea room there. By the way, also agree that Christmas decorations in Paris are underwhelming; at least they were last year. But a noticeable pall still hung over the city from the terrorist attacks the month before. We visit the parks whenever we are in Paris, whatever the season, especially Monceau, Montsouris, and Buttes Chaumont. But usually the first place we go to is the Luxembourg gardens. Even in December.
Sep 5th, 2016, 06:23 AM
#35
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TRY TO VISIT BOTH if you can, as they are both small,and both worth seeing.
The Nissam de Comando is very unique with a sad yet interesting story of the family that lived there. The neighborhood is beautiful with Parc Monceau entrance right there!!!!
The restaurant in JA, is cute, but I would not recommend eating there.
We stopped in the cafe after the exhibit we saw just for a coffee and to sit after our visit.
Both are worthwhile to visit & I do think you should enjoy whatever you decide.
TrendGirl2
The Nissam de Comando is very unique with a sad yet interesting story of the family that lived there. The neighborhood is beautiful with Parc Monceau entrance right there!!!!
The restaurant in JA, is cute, but I would not recommend eating there.
We stopped in the cafe after the exhibit we saw just for a coffee and to sit after our visit.
Both are worthwhile to visit & I do think you should enjoy whatever you decide.
TrendGirl2
Sep 6th, 2016, 07:42 AM
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,591
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. Have been to Paris a few times at Christmas, so I am not expecting tons of decorations. However, I love all the little shop windows...they tend to be festive and understated at the same time. The big departments stores have amazing decorations and a favorite memory is a little girl shoving my husband out of the way in front of Galleries Lafayette. He is six feet tall and about 190lbs, so not exactly easy to shove him around. Clearly, he picked the wrong little girl to be in the way of. I suspect she got exactly what she wanted for Christmas and let's nothing stand in her way!
Sep 6th, 2016, 08:55 AM
#39
If you want to check out Christmas in Paris, here is my video from years ago. If you want to check out only Christmas decorations, move video forward to 5:23.
<B>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIK-9AqxsY</B>
<B>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIK-9AqxsY</B>
