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Designed by Philippe Starck, the comfortable space is in synch with its locale, writes Sophy Roberts
Destination
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1. Musée d'Orsay
This wonderful collection covers a variety of art forms from the 1848 - 1914 period, including a superb Impressionists section. Its setting, in a converted railway station, is equally impressive. Built in 1900, in time for the Paris Exposition, the station was in use until 1939, when it was closed and largely ignored, bar its use as the location for Orson Welles' 1962 film, The Trial. It was later used as a theatre and as auction rooms, and in the mid-1970s was considered for demolition. Thankfully, in 1977, the Paris authorities decided to convert it into this striking museum, which finally opened in 1986.
- 1 rue de la Légion-d'Honneur, 75007
- 01 40 49 48 14
- Open summer: 9am - 4pm Tue - Sun (Thu till 9:45pm); winter: 10am - 6pm Tue - Sat, 9am - 6pm Sun; closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec
- Admission € 7.00 (€ 4.50 Sun)
- www.musee-orsay.fr
2. Musée Picasso
A favourite of Parisians and visitors alike. The beautifully restored Hôtel Salé in the Marais is a splendid setting for this extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and other works by Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973), including works from his Cubist period. Large sculptures also adorn the garden and courtyard. Some of the artist's personal art collection of works by his contemporaries is also on display.
- 5 rue de Thorigny, 75003
- Open 9:30am - 6pm (5:30pm winter) Wed - Mon
- Admission charge (free Mon)
3. Musée Rodin
On a sunny day, head straight for the gardens of the Musée Rodin, in the Hôtel des Invalides complex, where you can enjoy some of the French sculptor's most famous works, including The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais, while strolling among the shady trees and rose bushes. Then pay a visit inside the beautiful 18th-century mansion, the Hôtel Biron, where Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917) lived and worked for nine years, until his death. An extensive collection of his works from throughout his career is on display.
- 77 rue de Varenne, 75007
- Open 9:30am - 5:45pm Tue - Sun (until 4:45pm in winter)
- Admission charge
4. Musée National d'Art Moderne
The revolutionary Pompidou Centre is the perfect home for the city's outstanding Modern Art Museum. It features some 1,400 works on two levels, one focusing on the artists and movements of the first half of the 20th century, the other featuring art from the 1960s to the present day. Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year.
- Pl Georges Pompidou, 75004
- Open 11am - 9pm, Wed - Mon
- Admission charge
5. Jeu de Paume
This gallery is one of the finest exhibition spaces in the city, being set within a 19th-century real tennis court (jeu de paume). It stages outstanding, changing shows, focusing on contemporary art.
- 1 pl de la Concorde, 75008
- Open noon - 9:30pm Tue, noon - 7pm Wed - Fri, 10am - 7pm Sat - Sun
- Admission charge
6. L'Orangerie
The prime exhibits here are eight of Monet's huge waterlily canvases and the gallery, in a corner of the Tuileries, is being renovated to improve their display, due to re-open in 2003. The Walter-Guillaume collection covers works by Renoir, Picasso, Modigliani and other modern masters from 1870 - 1930.
- Jardin des Tuileries, 75001
- Closed for renovation until early 2004
- Admission charge
7. Espace Montmartre Salvador Dalí
This underground museum with its black walls, lighting effects and soundtrack features some of Dalí's lesser-known works, including bronzes, lithographs and book illustrations.
- 11 rue Poulbot, 75018
- Open 10am - 6pm daily (Jul - Sep until 9pm)
- Admission charge
8. Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet
The Impressionist paintings of Claude Monet are the star attraction at this museum, featuring some 165 works donated by his son and perhaps the finest collection of his works in the world. They include a series of his late waterlily paintings. Other Impressionist and Realist painters are also represented, and there is a fine collection of illuminated medieval manuscripts.
- 2 rue Louis-Boilly, 75016
- Metro Muette
- Open 10am - 6pm Tue - Sun
- Admission charge
9. Musée Maillol
Works of the French artist Aristide Maillol, including his drawings, engravings, paintings and plastercasts, are the focal point of this museum which was created by his model, Dina Vierny. Works by Rodin and Picasso are also on display.
- 61 rue de Grenelle, 75007
- Open 11am - 6pm Wed - Mon
- Admission charge
10. Maison Européenne de la Photographie
If you're a photography fan, don't miss this splendid gallery in the Marais. Its exhibitions range from portraits to documentary work, retrospectives to contemporary photographers.
- 5 - 7 rue de Fourcy, 75004
- Open 11am - 8pm Wed - Sun
- Admission charge (free Wed after 5pm)
