One night near Giverny...
Mar 28th, 2002, 08:55 AM
#2
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An interesting - - and different slice of art history life - - to complement your Giverny visit.<BR><BR>from the Fodors miniguide on l'Ile de France - - http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=sig (shortened for word count reasons)<BR><BR>Auvers-sur-Oise <BR><BR>The Oise River valley, which runs northeast from Pontoise, retains much of the charm that attracted Pissarro, Cézanne, Corot, Daubigny, and Morisot in the second half of the 19th century. But it is the shadow of Vincent van Gogh that haunts every nook and cranny of this pretty village. <BR><BR>Van Gogh moved here from Arles in 1890 to be with his brother, Theo. He spent the last 10 weeks of his life here, painting no fewer than 70 pictures, and then shot himself behind the village château. He is buried in a simple grave in the village cemetery. Plaques marking the spots that inspired his art pepper the village. They bear reproductions of his paintings, enabling you to compare his works with the scenes as they are today. <BR><BR>MAISON DE VAN GOGH. Formerly the Auberge Ravoux, where van Gogh lived the last 70 days of his life. A dingy staircase leads up to the tiny, wood-floor attic where he stored some of art's most famous pictures under his bed. A film retraces his time at Auvers, and there is a souvenir shop. 8 rue de la Sansonne, PHONE: 01-30-36-60-60. COST: EUR4.60. Daily 10-6. <BR><BR>VOYAGE AU TEMPS DES IMPRESSIONISTES. The Trip Back to the Time of the Impressionists, in the elegant Auvers château, is one of France's most imaginative and innovative museums. You'll receive a set of infrared headphones (English available), with commentary that guides you past various tableaux illustrating life in the Impressionist era, and although there are no Impressionist originals, 500 reproductions pop up on screens interspersed between the tableaux. Some of the special effects - talking mirrors, computerized cabaret dancing girls, and a simulated train ride past Impressionist landscapes - are worthy of Disney at its best. Rue de Léry, PHONE: 01-34-48-48-48. COST: EUR9.20. May-Oct., daily 10-6; Nov.-Apr., Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30. <BR><BR>ATELIER DAUBIGNY. The landscapist Charles-François Daubigny, a precursor of the Impressionists, lived in Auvers from 1861 until his death in 1878. You can visit his studio and admire the remarkable array of mural and roof paintings by Daubigny and fellow artists Corot and Daumier. The modest Musée Daubigny (Manoir des Colombières, rue de la Sansonne, PHONE: 01-30-36-80-20) exhibits 19th-century drawings, lithographs, and oils by various artists, some collected by Daubigny himself. 61 rue Daubigny, PHONE: 01-34-48-03-03. COST: EUR4. Tues.-Sun. 2-6:30. <BR><BR>MUSÉE DE L'ABSINTHE. The small Absinthe Museum, near the village château, contains posters and other Belle Epoque artifacts evoking the history of absinthe - a forerunner of such anise-based aperitifs as Ricard and Pernod. Before it was banned in 1915, absinthe was France's national drink. A famous painting by Degas shows two absinthe drinkers; van Gogh probably downed a few glasses at the Auberge Ravoux. 44 rue Callé, PHONE: 01-30-36-83-26. COST: EUR4. Oct.-May, weekends 11-6; June-Sept., Wed.-Sun. 11-6. <BR>
Mar 28th, 2002, 08:57 AM
#3
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Oh, but wait... you asked for where to stay!<BR><BR>from http://www.igougo.com/planning/journalEntryFreeForm.asp?JournalID=7983&EntryID=69 45<BR><BR>Most visitors come to Auvers-sur-Oise for the day from Paris. There are no hotels here. The closest one is the 3-star Novotel - Chateau de Maffliers, about a ten minute drive away (95560 Maffliers. Telephone (33) 01.34.08.35.35, fax (33) 01.34.69.97.49). <BR><BR>There's a bed and breakfast with three rooms located about 100 meters from the Notre Dame d'Auvers (La Ramure, 33 Rue du Montcel, 95430 Auvers-sur-Oise. Telephone (33) 01.30.36.79.32, (33) 06.81.31.30.86). <BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR><BR>
