Stories
Musee Marmottan-Monet
This gem of a museum is hiding on the western edge of your city map on a quiet street near Bois de Boulogne. The scope of the collection is similar to that of the Orangerie, thus providing an opportunity to see some fantastic works of art in a setting that’s much less overwhelming than some of Paris’ larger museums.
Much of the lesser-known portion of the museum’s collection, works by Berthe Morisot, for example, are tastefully displayed among vases of fresh flowers in the ornately decorated rooms of the entrance floor, and the upstairs rooms were recently renovated for the display of a fascinating collection of work from the English, French, Italian and Flemish schools, from the 13th to 16th century—worth a quick walk through to be sure. But the museum’s collection of Monets (the largest in the world, including several of his masterpieces) is what truly warrants a visit to this historic town house turned art-lover’s paradise.
In the current exhibition, with a nod to Monet’s contribution to the foundation of abstraction in modern art in the current exhibition, his work (including several of his most well-known paintings) is displayed alongside the works of those that came after him. Pollocks, Kandinskys, and Monet’s Soleil Levant (1872) within a twenty meter radius of each other? For a student of art history, or for that matter, anyone with a basic sense of aesthetics, the Marmatton-Monet is an incredibly fulfilling hour and a half activity that will get you out of the hustle and bustle of central Paris for an afternoon. If there’s room for a picnic alongside the museum souvenirs in you bag, (or if you plan poorly and arrive before the museum is open) the park across the street makes a perfect spot for lunch or a nap in the sunshine.
Practical Information
Address:
2 rue Louis-Boilly
75016 Paris
Phone: 01 44 96 50 33
Email: marmottan@marmottan.com
Metro:
La Muette
Open 11 am – 6 pm everday except Monday.
Open Tuesday nights until 9 pm.
Rates: 9 €, reduced (students, etc.) 5 €, Children under 8 free
