Paris: Favorite museums other than orsay, louvre, or pompidou?
 

Hi, I'm going to Paris over Thanksgiving and have been several times in the past. My favorite museum is the Musee d'orsay and I'm going to see the Pompidou since I haven't visited that one in years. The Louvre is too overwhelming for me. I've also been to the Picasso museum and Dali museum by Sacre Coeur. Am I missing any hidden jewels? I'd like to try somewhere new, so please share any suggestions. Thanks!

The Jacquemart-André and Marmottan are two one of my favorites.

The Musee Carnavalet is pretty good and it's free as well.

I was surprised by the Invalides. It's not a "museum," but if you've never been, it's well worth a visit. It's where Napoleon is buried. On the other hand, there's a museum right next to it -- the Army Museum -- that has a number of interesting exhibits. For me the most interesting was the section on World War II. I didn't care much for the stuff on French military history.

The architecture of the Invalides is stunningly opulent, and one gets a sense for how rich imperial France was. This is also near the Rodin Museum, which, well worth a visit, is not a must for me. While the Rodin sculptures are interesting, equally interesting are the ones by Claudel, his muse and student.

The Rodin! I could spend hours in the gardens alone.
While not my favorite, I agree wtih 111op the Invalides was amazing! Marchel Fochs tomb was incredible!

The Cluny

By the way, I find it a good idea to always check what's going on -- the special exhibitions are frequently very interesting and worth catching if you can. I look here:

http://www.economist.com/cities/brie...mp;city_id=PAR

So it turns out that Jacquemart-Andre (I've never been, but it gets lots of nice reviews) and Louvre are organizing a special exhibition on Napoleon.

Also this is Mois de la Photo (photography month), so there're many photo exhibitions if you're interested in this sort of thing.

Thank you all for the suggestions! I will take note and broaden my experience this time around!

Marmottan, definitely. also enjoyed Musee Nissim de Camondo.

This is great fun and comes from the Economist's webpage I just gave:

[On David's famous painting of Napoleon's coronation:]

It seems that David included Napoleon's mother, Letizia, in the picture even though she was in Rome on the day of her son's coronation. She had refused to attend because she hated Joséphine, Napoleon's wife. The Empress, meanwhile, was depicted as far younger than her 41 years. When observers pointed this out to David, he reportedly replied, ?Allez donc le lui dire?, or ?So go and tell her?.

The mansion that is the Jaquemart-Andre is a real acchitectural gem, which is another reason for visiting. The architect was a contempory of Charles Garnier who lost out to him in the competition for the Opera. The innovative double staircase in the winter garden of the JA was an attempt to outdo his rival.

Sundy brunch at the Jacquemart-André is yet another reason to include this -I haven't yet been, but people who have seem to have been very impressed.

After several visits to Paris, I highly recommend the Marmottan and Jacquemart-Andre. We have visited quite a few museums in Paris, and these two are absolute gems.

In addition to selecting specific museums, you might consider looking for special exhibits. Over Thanksgiving, we will see the special exhibit "Turner, Whistler, Monet" at the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais (3, avenue du General Eisenhower at avenue des Champs Elysees, 8th Arr.), which is in Paris only from October 13, 2004 to January 17, 2005. If those artists appeal to you as well, it would be worth a visit.

Woody

Ditto to all the Jacquemart-André recs and also the Marmottan. One of the nice things about the JA museum is that they include many works by women artists. We really like the Nissim de Camondo museum but I heard somewhere that it's undergoing some renovations...maybe they're already finished.
Another recommendation is the Guimet Asian Arts museum in the 16th (metro: Iena). Excellent collection. Something different from all the Euro art at the museums suggested above.
One of my personal favorites is the Marie Curie museum in the Institut Pasteur complex. Very small but quite interesting IF you like science stuff (my work is related to radiology, which is why I found the museum so interesting).

I enjoyed the breadth of topics at the Carnavalet..."The History of Paris"...
Actually, I also enjoyed the archeological crypt under the square in front of Notre Dame.

A second for the Rodin. As thw the JA, we're going to it for the first time this on my upcoming trip (20 days but who;s counting)

Votes for both the Rodin and the Cluny - both are very manageable if you are one of those overwhlemed by larger places.

Is the Cluny the same as the Musee du Moyen Age? I think so. It's fabulous! It contains the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries, which are just enchanting.

I love the Marmottan. Some of Monet's favorite personal favorites as well as works of his friends that he owned. The collection was donated by his son, Michel. The setting is more intimate, more manageable, less crowded and the docent will be more than happy to discuss the works with you.

The Musée Rodin's gardens and the the works of Camille Claudels inside. I understand there is a new piece of her's they are showcasing?

I've been wanting to take tea at the Jacquemart-André ~ I hear it's a lovely.

How did you like the Espace Dali, by the way? When I went there last year they had already closed for the day.

Haven't been to all the museums yet, but I liked the Cluny and loved the Rodin. Combines beautiful art and beautiful gardens with distant views of monuments. Nice.