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.

I love the Marmottan and have visited nearly every time I have been in Paris. The museum is wonderful if you like Monet and I enjoy visiting the lovely neighborhood in the 16th. However, with 3 days, you have to make some choices and the D'Orsay and the Louvre are musts for a museum lover. After that, if you have time for another museum, I would first visit the Cluny and then the Marmottan. Since it is winter, I would skip the Rodin since its best feature is the gardens. I love the Picasso and the Jacquemart Andre but don't imagine you can get to them in only 3 days.

"Impression/Sunrise" was lent to the Turner/Whistler/Monet exhibition, so I saw it there (and I've never seen it before or been to the Marmottan).

Presumably the painting travels to Tate Britain, so if you've plans to see it over the next couple of months, you should see if it's been returned to the Marmottan. The exhibition closes at the Tate in May, if I recall.

I have been to Paris 3 times and finally visited the Marmottan last time. While not on the scale as the Orsay, it was certainly "worth" a visit. As Patrick and others have mentioned, it is in a lovely neighborhood, and we enjoyed a nice lunch afterwards in a cafe not too far away. The museum will not require more than an hour or so, and if you are especially fond of Monet, it would be a worthwhile stop. One note--it is not on the list of museums that accept the museum pass. I think admission was 7 or 8 euro.
I would definitely go to the Louvre and the Orsay, and if you love sculpture, the Rodin. I have been to the Rodin in winter, spring, and summer, and it is glorious when the roses are in bloom, but still incredibly powerful to see the sculpture garden in the stark winter.

Everyone's comments have been very helpful; we have been to Orsay several times before and though I will squeeze in at least a quick trip there, my husband probably will skip it this time.
So, if we do go to Marmottan, are there nice cafes in the neighborhood where we could have lunch?

A quick question; it's my understanding that 75 paintings in the Marmottan are currently in Washington DC until May. 40 Morisot's and a collection of others. For those who have been to the Marmottan, would this really decimate the collection? I'm going to be in Paris in April and would love to go, but I'm not sure if it is worth it now.

Thanks.

Out of curiosity, I went to the museum's website. Apparently Monet's "Sunrise" did not travel to the Tate and was supposedly returned on Jan. 19 (T/W/M closed the night of Jan. 17).

I don't see a note about paintings being loaned to D.C. It's probably true though.

I was curious enough to click on "Chefs d'Oeuvre." The Caillebotte painting looks awfully familiar (is there a similar one in the Art Institute of Chicago?). Actually there's a famous Caillebotte at Orsay which I missed that features some workers redoing the floors. I forget what that painting is called. I saw a reproduction of it in a book and it's a beautiful painting.

JMK38, there are a number of cafes in the area of the Marmottan. If you plan to take the Metro, the cafes are convenient to the La Muette Metro station, about a 10-minute walk to the Marmottan.
JoTro, the Morisot collection from the Marmottan is indeed in Washington. I love the collection and it would add to the pleasure of a trip to the Marmottan but the Monets are really the draw for me and I would visit despite the absence of the Morisots.

The most famous Caillebotte in Chicago is the large 'Paris Street Rainy Day'.
for a view: http://www.mystudios.com/art/impress...tte-paris.html

I'm a member of the relatively small Caillebotte fan club; several years the Art Institute in Chicago had a marvelous
Caillebotte retrospective.

Oh, I forgot:
Marmottan, Nearby places for lunch or a snack:
La Rotonde de la Muette, 12 Chaussee de la Muette, they have outdoor seating.

Pastry shop--Yamakazi, 6 Chaussee de la Muette. Said to have great hot chocolate, open Sundays.
On the same street is La Gare, an old train station converted to a café.

Restaurant des Chauffeurs, 8 Chaussee de la Muette, From an article I read--
"trucker-sized portions of French comfort food…$25 or so will see you out the door.” Open daily, continous service 5:30 am to 10pm, lunch reservations advised. Credit cards.

Hi elaine, would you mind going to the Marmottan website and looking at the Caillebotte listed in the "Masterpieces" section? Doesn't this look very much like the Art Institute of Chicago painting? I've not looked at it closely and done an A/B comparison, but it looks very similar.

http://www.marmottan.com/fr/chefs_oeuvres/

I'd be interested in knowing if there's a story behind this. Caillebotte was regarded as a somewhat obscure and reclusive painter, if I remember right, until the 1960s (?). And he had an independent career and was quite wealthy, if I recall.

111op, Caillebotte is one of my faves! The museum site says that it is a preparatory sketch for the one in Chicago. I think the English title for the Orsay one is The Floor Scrapers.

Yes, LVSue -- right on both counts. I went back to the website and clicked on the link to the painting because I was so curious.

I've to remember to find the Caillebotte painting at the Orsay when I'm in that museum. The interesting thing is that I've seen a reproduction once. It doesn't seem to be a well-known painting, but Orsay thinks it's a masterpiece.

Hi
There are differences (Marmottan version has indistinct facial features, the final painting (Chicago) has a carriage with a large wheel, over on the left side, etc)As the Marmottan website info says, their painting is an 'exquisite' study for the later larger painting.

The Marmottan text also says that a critic of the time pointed out that some well-known painters tried to reproduce varous aspects of Paris:
M. Caillebotte, its streets; M Renoir, the dance; M Degas, theatre and music halls; Melle Morisot, the boudoir.

Thanks, elaine. This forum is never dull. :-)

Well, I return the thread to the regularly broadcast programming -- like whether you should visit Marmottan, where to eat around Marmottan, etc. :-)

By the way, if I remember right, there're some buildings by Le Corbusier in that area (I've not been, as I said).

for someone who wants to see the
Floor Scrapers
http://www.mystudios.com/art/impress...-scrapers.html

If you go to the Orsay, you can't miss that one. On the top floor where all the Impressionists are, it's on a wall facing you as you enter one of the rooms
(as of last week)

It makes me wonder if I've ever been to Orsay, elaine. :-)

I guess that's what happens when you attempt to cover Paris in 24 or 48 or 72 hours. I guess, strictly speaking, I've not really been (the few times I've been it's always been very quick). The last time I was there I saw a special exhibition on the Origins of Abstraction. I guess I'll have to plan to stop by on a future trip.

You've been there, you've been there, there's just never enough time ( on a trip that's less than a week, anyway) to see the old favorites and to see new things. This last time I was only in the Orsay an hour myself, close to closing---very frustrating, but it was that or not at all as it turns out.
The painting I HAD to revisit was
Van Gogh's Church at Auvers, and my TC wanted to see Whistler's Mom. So we got those in, but not much more. And I missed seeing the objets d'art on the first floor--like those too.

I know. I guess that's why I'm always flipping through museum guide books. Fortunately we've those and the web to do a virtual visit. But the real thing is always incomparable.

With only 3 days in Paris, I'd chose to bypass it and hit some of the other spots. Versailles and the Louvre could each take a day not counting Notre Dame, etc.

My reaction to the Marmottan was just like Patricks - I was enthralled. My girlfriend and I went one afternoon after walking around Versailles all morning. We were a bit tired and sat down to rest in the lower floor of the Marmottan. I just kept switching my view - the large canvases have the most amazing colors. It was the absolutely most perfect place to sit and rest a while, and take in all the beauty.

This is my opinion, but I think the Monet's in Marmottan are better than the collection at the Orsay.