Paris - Musee Marmottan worth it?
 

We will be in Paris for a mere 3 days in late Feb. - Is Musee Marmottan worth the trek? Thank you for your feedback.

I was interested, but didn't get to that museum despite staying for a week. There are so many places that you could see that it's hard to prioritize them. What are your main interests in Paris otherwise?

We love the museums (plan to go to the Cluny, D'Orsay (at least once), Louvre,
Rodin and Picasso. Also love walking, eating and drinking wine!

if impressionism is an interest, by all means include the marmottan.

If you are a huge Monet fan you could fit it in.

However with such a short time I think any impressionism fix you need will be taken care of at the d'Orsay.

You could spend the extra time elsewhere and save the Marmottan for later.

I wouldn't go to the Marmottan instead of the Orsay, but the Marmottan is a very special place if you like the art, and for me it is in my must-see triad with the Louvre and Orsay. I walk into the Marmottan and I immediately start to smile.
But if this is your first trip to Paris and with three days, you will have to make hard choices.

We have been to Paris a few times and last time we were going to the Marmottan but didn't make it.
We are definitely going in March.
I love Monet and want to see the museum, his works, the neighborhood.
With only 3 days, I would probably skip it.
Do try to go to the Louvre AND the D'Orsay! you can go to one on Monday and the other on Tuesday..you will be glad you did :)

I am in Paris every few months and I do the Marmottan about twice a year. If you love the Impressionists you must go there to see the painting that gave the movement it's name; "Impression Sunrise". Another of my favorites, "The Locomotive" is there and then of course lots and lots of lilly pond works.

Larry J

I was far more overwhelmed by the Andre Jacquemart than the Musee Marmotton. Here's why: I truly think some museums in the US have much better Monets than Marmotton; I also think the Musee d'Orsay does him justice.

I don't want to oversell Andre Jacquemart( Expectations create Disappointment)but the one-two punch of this museum is that in it's own right, the house itself is a wonderful, solid design. The art collection for private collectors with an educated, good eye (no, they truly weren't aiming for fashion) is amazing.

Musee Marmottan lacks that narrative.

If you're only going three days, I would skip the Marmottan. With only three days, you don't want to spend all your time in museums. And, I would certainly put both the d'Orsay and the Louvre higher on the list of must-sees.

I'm with Amelie. I loved the Jacquemart-Andre--went to see it I think thanks to Elaine, and have been back. Was kinda underwhelmed by the Marmottan, but it was a while ago. And, people, can we call it the Orsay? (why would we say "of Orsay"?)

Has the Orangerie reopened? I know I could check, but hoped someone would know first-hand.

I go along with Howard, if only a few days do the D'Orsay

I wouldn't put the Marmottan at the top of a list of favorite museums. It's worth a visit if you've seen everything else you want and have plenty of time, or are a real Monet fan. In three days -- I'm not sure if you've been to Paris before and are looking for things to do or not.

I like Monet quite a bit, but just don't find the Marmottan that great a museum. I think the Monets in it are not his best works.

I'm not all that much a museum person, but I finally visited the Marmottan this summer. Sitting on that bench in the middle of the gallery surrounded by maybe 30 large Monets, how could anyone not be overwhelmed? Please don't scold me for not knowing a good Monet from a great Monet, they are all still Monets for God's sake. And how can you not choke on seeing the actual painting that gave Impressionism it's name???

I'm not saying to go or not, that's up to you. I just wanted to say it literally took my breath away.

The Monet painting "Impression Sunrise" is currently part of the 'Turner Whistler Monet' exhibition at the Grand Palais--I don't know if that exhibit is traveling, and if that particular painting is going with it.

My non-professional opinion is that many of the paintings in the Marmottan are thrilling (to me) because many are Monet's later work, when it's easy to see how he influenced later, even more abstract artists.

I'm in total agreement with Christina. We, too, are huge Monet fans and, except for the opportunity to see Impression Sunrise, we were underwhelmed. Perhaps it is because we've seen so many of his greatest works in other museums in the US and France....especially the great Monet exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago 10 years ago. Who could ever forget the thrill of seeing that room filled with his water lilies!

I'm not in a great position to answer this, because I'm a huge Monet fan and have seen his works in Washington, DC, the Musée d'Orsay, the Jeu de Paume, the Orangerie, the Prague Museum, the Berlin Museum, and countless others, but with only three days in Paris I would definitely not bother with the Marmottan. It's a very nice museum but not one I'd put on the A-list for a 3-day visit. Go to the third floor of the Musée d'Orsay and feast on the Impressionists there, including Monet.

the word is that the orangerie is scheduled to re-open in 2006--but i'm not holding my breath.

If you're in Paris for just the three days, you can save the Marmottan for another trip if your a Monet fan.

And I'll put in another vote for the Jacquemart-Andre (and the Nissim Camondo, which is very close by). Both are beautiful mansions with wonderful collections. And lunch at the A-J will be a highlight, as will a walk through the nearby Parc Monceau.

I enjoyed the Marmottan when we visited a few years ago. It was in December, the weather was not nice, but it was not hard to get to on the metro and was most certainly worth it. It is a smaller museum which I like. They are much more doable. I would say do it.