A bucolic visit of Rodin museum

Rue de Varenne is famous for housing many ministries and the Matignon Palace, where the French Prime Minister works, but this is also where you will find the Rodin Museum. The museum opened in 1916 on the initiative of Auguste Rodin himself after the artist gave most of his pieces of arts and personal collections to the French state to set it up. The museum is located in the sumptuous Hotel Byron, where the sculptor spent the last years of his life. More than 6.000 sculptures are exhibited. Many of them have been installed in the park which offers a spectacular view on the Invalides dome and the Eiffel Tower. His most-renowned sculptures such as the Thinker, the Gates of Hell or Balzac can therefore be admired while enjoying a pleasant walk amidst luxuriant vegetation. The hotel itself houses most of Rodin’s collections, among which many sculptures from the Antiquite or pieces by Camille Claudel, the artist’s student and long-time mistress. One room is dedicated to the friendship Rodin struck with Monnet. It contains many letters  along with a unique painting by Monnet called Belle-Ile. Much to the spectators’ delight and astonishment, other major masterpieces are also on display such as paintings by Van Gogh or Renoir for instance.

Musee Rodin – 79, rue de Varenne 75007 Paris. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5.45 pm.