King Tut at La Villette
 

Just wondering whether anyone has seen this exhibit yet. We're planning to go in June but wondered whether anyone had any thoughts about the quality of the exhibit, crowds, etc.

Thanks.

I went last year in Los Angeles and wrote a report with photos (link below). Quality was good, but a couple of big ticket items that can no longer leave Egypt were missing from the one I went to a couple of decades ago. Among therm are gold, crown-like diadem from the mummy's head, as well as a wooden King Tut mannequin. However, there are about 160+ pieces (like one below) and 40% of them haven't left the Museum of Egyptian Antiquitiesbefore.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/king-tut-los-angeles/

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4814f9033c.jpg

I'm going soon! I'll let you know :-)

Looks interesting. A report will be nice.

Having visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, I don't really need to go and see this -- although there are one or two objects on loan from the Louvre, which is sort of scandalous when you think that it confirms that they were stolen from Egypt.

But I would just like to say that the Grande Halle de la Villette at Porte de Pantin is an excellent venue. It is a huge open space (used to be the Paris cattle market) and is transformed perfectly each time there is a cultural event. Do not miss visiting the complete Parc de la Villette if you are in the area. Visitors could combine a visit here with a cruise on the Canal Saint Martin, since the Villette stop is just behind the Grande Halle.

King Tut is the Rolling Stones of ancient times. Every few years he comes around on tour, guaranteeing crowds and profits for the promoters of his icons. Ditto for old-master Impressionist paintings, another sure draw. It's all showbiz, whatever the median and however enlightening. Go, enjoy, and exit through the gift shop.
PS: The music museum at La Villette is worth a visit too. It's inside the new Philharmonie concert hall complex.

https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/en/musee-de-la-musique

Ditto the science museum, which works to appeal to youngsters.
http://www.cite-sciences.fr/en/home/

My husband and I saw the exhibit in Philadelphia in the Spring of 2007! It was spectacular. Those Egyptians were so tiny, the size of today's children.

Thin🐩

Remember, "He gave his life for tourism!"

((H))

We purchased tickets for this, for our visit to Paris in May. Husband saw King Tut in the U.S. in the late 70s, but it didn't come anywhere near where I lived, so I'm looking forward to seeing it. Our grown daughter will be in Paris with us, and while she's looking forward to the exhibit, she was not amused by Steve Martin's King Tut when I insisted on playing it for her.

Thanks for all the responses. I saw the 1970s exhibit at the Met and I remember being blown away by its magnificence. So I think we'll get tix for this one as well--surely King Tut is worth a look-see every fifty years or so.

BTW, I love the comparison to the Stones reappearing every few years, making both crowds of people happy and their promoters rich. May Mick recover and tour for millennia!

And my adult daughter doesn't get Steve Martin either. Maybe you had to be there. Like Herman's Hermits.

I was there at the weekend. Its not terrific - just a few pieces.. I have seen the full collection in Cairo.

I have posted photos in my trip report.

Ger, about how long would be needed to visit? I'm trying to fit it in an already busy schedule. I'm holding a restaurant reservation I may need to cancel.
Thanks!

Same here. Also, is there a decent lunch available at the site?

Hi Starrs:

Firstly, can you get a reservation for first visit? That would avoid the crowds. For example, I booked for 1600 and got in at 1630, and it was packed inside, so I did not really love it.

There are videos of the history of discovery, which I know very well and have seen the videos before, so I skipped them.

If you are only concentrating on the exhibits, then 60-90 minutes is sufficient. Again, I have seen the entire collection in Cairo, so this did not compare.
Hope this helps.

Regards .. Ger

AJPeabody:

I had just had lunch, so can't comment. I did notice some fast-food restaurants.

Kerouac might know.

Regards … Ger

Thanks! I thought I had afternoon tickets, but they are morning! 9:30
I have lunch reservations (L'ami Jean) at noon and thought I would have to cancel those. Maybe not.

I've been to Cairo Museum, also, as well as King Tut's tomb, so have seen more than this already. Plus I saw the touring exhibit in LA many years ago (late 70s, I think, when Steve Martin did that gag song), and I also saw a small one in NYC in 2010. But they are supposed to hae a lot more technology with this new one, that's the wave of the future for these type of exhibits, so who knows. I think I've seen Egyptian artifacts so many times (not just these, the ones in museums like the MET) that I may be numb to it by now. I think I'll be in Paris this summer, so you never know. I go out to Villette every couple years for other reasons, mainly the Music Museum.

Well, then.

Starrs: I had lunch at L'Ami Jean with Belinda. Enjoy!