Musée Horta

Advantages: A wonderful collection of 1 artist's works
Disadvantages: Too crowded in summer and hot in the house

...The Rodin Museum (Musee de Rodin) is probably one of the lesser known galleries in Paris and celebrates the work of August Rodin who died in 1917 when he donated all of his work to the state of Paris. What's here? Most of Rodin's famous sculptures are on view at the Rodin Museum. Before visiting the museum I will admit that I head heard of Rodin but had only heard of his most famous works such as the Thinker. The museum is located in a large house that is a former hotel as well as in the grounds and garden of the house. The whole museum will take you less than 2 hours to visit if you take your time and you could do it in half an hour if pushed. As this is one of the lesser known attractions in Paris the house may seem a little shabby in comparison to grander places such as the Louvre but this is reflected... Read review

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Advantages: Only place to see the Mona Lisa
Disadvantages: Very busy all the time

...Musee du Louvre (Louvre Museum) Background The Louvre is the most visited and one of the oldest, largest and most famous art galleries and museums in the world. The first royal “Castle of the Louvre” was founded in what was then the western edge of Paris by Philip Augustus in 1190, as a fortified royal palace to defend Paris on its west against Plantagenet attacks. The first building in the existing Louvre was begun in 1535, after demolition of the Old Castle (foundations of the Old Castle are now an exhibition). The architect Pierre Lescot introduced to Paris the new design vocabulary of the Renaissance, which had been developed in the chateaux of the Loire. During his reign (1589 – 1610), King Henry IV added the Grande Galerie. Henry IV, a promoter of the arts, invited hundreds of artists and craftsmen to live and work... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Art, cool design, plenty to look at
Disadvantages: Pricey, hard to navigate

...The Musee d'Orsay used to be the Gare d'Orsay, it has been converted from an old railway station into an art gallery. The building itself is on Rue Bellechasse and from the outside looks like an old railway station, of course many of the windows are now covered and the entrances closed. Inside is a different story as a mix of ideas and designs have transformed the interior into an interesting place to display art. You can expect to queue for a good half hour to get in but it is well worth it. If you are aged 18-25 it costs 33 francs and otherwise it will cost you 45 francs, £4.50, which makes it one of the more expensive attractions on offer. What do you get for your money? Well in this case you get access to some of the most famous art in the world, including paintings by Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Pisarro and Sisley... Read review

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