Has anyone been to or have information on this new museum? I have read this their website but would love to hear firsthand experience.

Merci!

I have not been there (yet!) but for anyone who hasn't had a chance to see the website it is at http://www.quaibranly.fr/sommaire.php3?id_rubrique=20

We had a discussion on this the other day about the old location being closed, it was called the Musée of African Art and D'ocean. Something like that and Anthony G. posted this new locatipon that amba posted. I was interested in the Orientalism art thweey also had. I hope everything is intact in the new home.

The Orientalists are just what we are seeking! Several years ago we trekked out to the Musee des Arts d'Afrique et d'Oceanie in hopes of seeing these paintings. They were supposedly at the Louvre at that time. We went there, asked many people, walked for miles but never found the paintings.
I hope to find them at the new museum--leaving in APril. I found no mention of this group on the webiste for the Branly.

The Quai Branly isn't open yet.

I called the Louvre museum about these orientalist paintings but they couldn't help me. They told me that what i should do is visit their "cyber-Louvre" area (I had no clue such a thing existed) and search their database in order to locate the museum where a specific painting could be kept/exposed.
(and I'm sorry but I'm not going to actually go there and search)

The Quai Branly museum staff doesn't seem to know anything about these paintings, either (not even that such a collection existed). They told me to call back later when maybe someone who might know could be available.

It sounds like the worst thing that could be done for this collection was to move it from its original location!! They seem to have disappeared!! I will attempt the suggestion of "cyber-Louvre" in hopes of locating them.

Just came back from Paris and went to the Musee du Quai Branly.... a wonderful and fantastic museum.

The outside is still undergoing some finishing construction touches, and ok, perhaps does not look like the Hausmannian (sp?) architecture of the rest of Paris, but go inside and prepare to be wowed!

First you walk past the silo of musical instruments on your journey into the heart of the museum... then go into the main part of the museum and it is visually stunning. Red floors, leather walls, beautiful lighting, beautiful staging and display of the artifacts, very special.

The museum uses all different media to showcase not only the collection, but the different cultures. The collection itself is extraordinary and beautifully displayed. There are touch and play multi-media seating areas all around the museum... There is the "music box" which you walk into for a surround sight and sound experience (the only thing missing is the smells and the taste of dust as you are surrounded by a tribal ceremonial dance from Vanuatu for example...)

The "silo" of instruments, in my opinion, is perhaps the weakest part of the experience, as other than being a really big collection, it doesn't really give you an idea of how the different instruments sound, but perhaps that bit was still under construction?)

When you go on your "journey" back out of the museum, you feel like you have had a wonderful sensory dream-like experience.

Overall, as the French would say, ravissant!

Yet another reason to go and visit Paris - again!

Thanks for a wonderful review of your experience there! Did you see the Orientalist paintings? If so, were they grouped together or spread out thoughout the musuem?

Does anyone know how much a ticket costs? And whether you need to reserve it in advance? I couldn't find this info on their website.

We'll be stopping by Paris in Nov. for 1 day, and like to check this museum out. Hope visiting it on a Friday is OK--not too crowded?

Thanks!

Date: 06/05/2006, 03:37 pm
It's not everyday that what is billed as a new major Paris museum in the heart of Paris throws open its doors but it will happen on June 20, 2006 when President Jack Chirac will inaugurate the spanking new Musee de Quai Branly.
The Qaui Branly Museum will showcase the arts and civilizations of Africa, the Americans and Oceania, highlighting collections acclaimed as treasures of the non-European world.
The French Embassy's press office characterizes the new museum as a 'new type of cultural institution, with a dual purpose to conserve and exhibit the collections and to stimulate research and instruction." There will be a wide array of programming of performing arts - thetre, music and dance to create a 'cultural city'.

Author: cigalechanta
Date: 06/05/2006, 03:52 pm
This is what Michel Osman posted on his destinationparis site.

"Another jewel in Paris' collection
French envoy and diplomats in S'pore tell NOOR AISHA what their country aims to do with the Musee du quai Branly, a museum devoted to non-European civilisations slated to open to the public on June 23. SITUATED along the River Seine in Paris, the Musee du quai Branly opens its doors to the public on June 23.

International fare: Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Musee du quai Branly will host 300,000 artefacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania and America
'This is the first time that we are having a museum devoted to non-European civilisations in France,' said Jean-Paul Reau, the Ambassador of France in Singapore. 'Paris is like a beautiful lady adding a jewel to her collection.'
'As French, we are rooted in our culture, but we also have another culture of going abroad and exploring,' said Yves Carmona, counsellor, deputy head of mission with the French Embassy here.
'What we're trying to do is increase the understanding of different cultures and different people. We hope to make a connection with today's reality,' said Bernard Luciani, Counsellor for Culture, Science and Education at the embassy.
The creation of the museum has been an adventure 10 years in the making since President Jacques Chirac announced his intention to create a museum devoted to the arts of Africa, Asia, Ocenia and the Americas in 1995.
Just like the famous Louvre in Paris, the Musee du quai Branly gets its name because of its location, not vocation. 'Quai' is synonymous with the English word 'quay', and the Musee du quai Branly is indeed located along the banks of a river.
Occupying a total land area of 39,000 square metres, some 3,500 of the 300,000 works in the collection will be on permanent public display. The total budget for the museum is an impressive 232.5 million euro (S$469.5 million).
The museum will house four lively collections - textiles, photographic, musicology and history. It will also showcase live performances depicting epics such as the famous Mahabharata.
Surreal architecture
'Free educational classes and conferences on topics such as anthropology and social sciences will be held,' says Mr Luciani. This is to provide visitors a deeper understanding of non-European cultures and to develop the production of scientific ideas.
A major selling point of the museum lies in its architecture. Designed by the renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the building - in warm colours and partly covered with wood - looks like a long footbridge set in the midst of trees.
Designed with the collections in mind, glass walls replace showcases. From the inside, the effects of transparency and the natural backdrop formed by the trees allow the eye to roam freely.
'It can only be constructed by challenging the expression of our present Western contingencies. Farewell to structures, fluidity, frontage joinery, safety staircases, railings, false ceilings, projectors, pedestals, showcases and wall clocks,' said Mr Nouvel.
The architecture therefore possesses its own style of modernity, with its own non-Western language playing on the emotions and on visitors' sense of disorientation. It definitely breaks away from the traditional codes governing museums.
Mr Reau said the museum was expected to attract about one million visitors within a year of its opening.
'Once the initial excitement about the opening of a new cultural institution in Paris has abated, it is up to visitors to let us know whether our choices have been judicious ones and whether they live up to their expectations,' said Stephane Martin, president of the museum. 'The public will have the final word on whether the museum is truly the centre of exchange and dialogue that we hope it becomes."

In another article, I read that the restaurant at the top has terricic views
.about the opening of a new cultural institution in Paris has abated, it is up to visitors to let us know whether our choices have been judicious ones and whether they live up to their expectations,' said Stephane Martin, president of the museum. 'The public will have the final word on whether the museum is truly the centre of exchange and dialogue that we hope it becomes.'

I read the restaurant on top has terrific views.

Date: 06/05/2006, 03:57 pm
Thanks for such a indepth look - it makes it sound much more significant and novel than the Embassy press release - on my agenda for new fall's Paris trip. Thanks!

Author: ira
Date: 06/05/2006, 05:03 pm
The website is http://www.quaibranly.fr/





Author: cigalechanta
Date: 06/05/2006, 05:22 pm
I beg your parden, Pal, a cigale is a cicada who sings all summer under the hot Provençal sun

As for the world's largest wall of vegetation: (says the French Embassy press release) "the world's largest wall of vegetation with 15,000 plants and ferns grown on a vertical support devoid of soil"

and it mentions other "unusual" features of the museum: adisplay of boxes of varying sizes attached to the wall outside the main gallery and serving as showcases for the objects on display; and the ginat 16-metre diameter glass "silo" built to house the collection of 9,000 musical instruments."
web site given in the Embassy's press release: www.quaibranly.com

Author: cocofromdijon
Date: 06/23/2006, 04:33 am
For the lucky ones who are in Paris now... Opening today and it is free of charge today and for the week end (8.50&euro




Author: AnthonyGA
Date: 06/23/2006, 05:58 am
Unfortunately, the building is a serious eyesore—completely and utterly out of place in the Seventh. I don't understand why these places can't be built somewhere on the edges of town, where ugly architecture won't hurt anything, anyway. The same space could have been used for new housing or businesses with an architecture that matches the surroundings.

So, the admission is 8.50€? And no need for advance reservation? Merci!

I finally found this info on their website (via googling!):
Ticket 8.50 € (FT) / 6 € (RT)

What are FT and RT?

Also, is it worth it (architecturally) just to see the museum from the outside and the lobby area, not not spend time in the exhibit? We'll have only one day in Paris on the way to somewhere else. And my DH is museum-ed from our past Paris trip, so he's reluctant to spend another day in a museum. He knows that if we go, we could easily spend the whole day there. Last time we went to Paris, I dragged him to the Louvre 3 times!

Please advise.

thanks.

I'm guessing Full Tarrif and Reduced Tarrif ... or whatever it works out to be in France. Unless you are a senior or student, you'd probably be paying the 8.50

FT if full tarif and RT is reduced tarif. You would be unlikely to qualify for that, it's rates for unemployed or some other special categories, usually. Sometimes museums may list it that way if they have a reduced tarif after a certain time of day.