Paris is one of the most stunning cities in the world, and boasts a dizzying number of attractions strewn all around it. Some of the incredible highlights every person must see at least once in their lifetime include the iconic Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, etc. Unsurprisingly, the number of visitors flocking to the capital city of France goes up each year.
Needless to say, one of the major highlights in Paris is the treasured museums here, which will walk you through the past, present, and the future of the country. Tourists can be seen sticking to the Louvre-Versailles duo in most cases. You need to know there are many other stunning museums in the city which can leave you spellbound with their amazing artwork collections. One of the more understated options there is the Rodin museum. As the name indicates, this museum is dedicated to the highly priced artwork collection from veteran French artist, Auguste Rodin.
Musee d’ Rodin
Including a Rodin museum tour in your itinerary would be a great option if you want to enjoy all of nature, art, and architecture under a single roof. Note that the museum is divided into three sections; one large outdoor sculpture garden, and two indoor exhibition areas. Since the tourist mayhem here would be relatively low, you can contemplate your favorite artworks at your own pace.
The Rodin museum was once shut down for three years for renovation and restoration purposes, and made open to the public in 2015. In the newly renovated version, you see many changes such a neater, chronological organization of exhibits, some additional thematic rooms, highlighting of the sculptures in the garden using spotlights and LED lamps, well-restored furniture pieces, etc.
In order to enjoy a decent Rodin museum tour, you will have to spare at least 2 to 3 hours. However, it will be one of the most peaceful and relaxed time that you get to enjoy your Parisian trip tranquility, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Furthermore, you can explore the museum free of cost if you own a museum pass or if you are under 26 years of age. The entry to the museum is free on the first Sundays through the months of March to October as well. Apart from this, there are many other fascinating reasons to include a Rodin museum tour in your itinerary. Some of those significant points are given below.
It is Situated inside Hotel Biron
The main attraction of the Parisian museums is that most of these art galleries are set up in old mansions and houses, rather than a clichéd, boring structure. The spectacular Rodin museum is inside the Hotel Biron, which is the former residence Rodin. Of itself, this 18th-century construction marvel is a stunning sight to behold, especially for architecture junkies. The main highlight of Hotel Biron is its classic, elegant architecture, which is beautified with wood and rococo style decors.
A Spectacular Garden
Apart from hosting one of the most beautiful collections from the veteran sculptor, the Rodin museum houses a large garden as well, that spans hectares of land. This picturesque sprawl is divided into three sections; an ornamental garden, a rose garden, and a relaxation area. In order to enhance the relaxing beauty of the garden, most of the mind-blowing sculptures of Rodin have been set up amidst the rose and hydrangea bushes. In fact, these outdoor Rodin museum sculptures are the main attraction for people seeking a tranquil paradise.
Donation from the Artist
You would be amazed by the fact that this museum was formed as a result of donations from the artist himself. Actually, it was the former residence of Rodin, and he gave away all his masterpieces, as well as his antiquity collection, to the French government. The only conditions he put forward were to let him stay at Hotel Biron until his death, as well as to create a museum after the fact. Following his passing in 1917, the Rodin museum was inaugurated in 1919. It was actually Rodin’s idea to display his sculptures along with the masterpieces of other artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, etc, in the garden. The arrangement is really a token of respect to some of his contemporaries and predecessors.
The Museum is Located at the Center of the City
Even though Rodin museum is practically sealed well away from city’s hubbub, it is still at an accessible distance from most of the top-rated attractions there. Just imagine the experience of strolling along the beautiful Rodin museum rose garden, which is punctuated with stunning sculptures in a random but beautiful way, and enjoying magnificent views of the city at the same time. It is to be noted that you would also get a clear vantage of the Invalides dome while walking through the museum garden. As icing on top of that, you can even enjoy a glimpse of the iconic Eiffel Tower on your way to the Rodin museum.