Musee Rodin - Paris 7th

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History

Formerly the Hotel Biron, today, this is now the home for the Rodin Museum. Inside, many of the rooms have preserved their original woodwork. And with the large windows and doors, you will see that the rooms are well lit and offer vistas of the surrounding garden.

It was not until 1916, when Auguste Rodin suffered a stroke, that he gave his work to the nation on the condition that it remains in the Hotel Biron. For over 10 years, the Hotel Biron which was state owned as of 1901 was rented by Rodin from 1908 until his death in 1917.Rodin used the two rooms on the ground floor as his studio and the rooms above for his living quarters. Between I908 and I909 they were also those of the poet Rilke who was, for a period, Rodin's secretary

This museum is exemplary the way it is presented. You can experience how a great Parisian hotel particulier looked under the Ancien Regime with its sculpture populated garden and interior decorations. The first interior courtyard shows already some of his masterpieces: “Les Bourgeois de Calais”, “La Porte de l’Enfer”, “Le Penseur” and “Balzac”. In the garden, restored in 1927, the “Appel aux Armes” and “Ugolin”. The famous “Baiser” is to see in the Grand Salon. Loiter around and admire a lot of other masterpieces you even never heard of. Two halls are dedicated to the women Rodin loved: Camille Claudel, sister of the poet, the duchesse de Choiseul, lady Sackville-West and Mme. Elisseieff. On the 1st floor you can admire the works Rodin bought from his friends: 3 superb Van Gogh, a Renoir, a Monet and even an Edvard Munch. Splendid.

Even if you are not a Rodin admirer you will be undoubtedly conquered by the fairy tale, magnificent garden behind the museum. It radiates such a peace and charm! The garden has been completely restructured. A sinuous path has been created, a poetic itinerary, on the theme "the sources".

A cafeteria is set up in the park of the museum. Open only from April 1 until Sep 30. Often empty and always rustic. Extra in the sunny days.

Bibliography:

--Vie et histoire des arrondissements de Paris, ed.Hervas, 1985-1988, 20 volumes- Le piéton de Paris, by L.P. Fargue, ed.Gallimard 1997—Rive Gauche, une expérience unique, by Cl.Evrard, ed.Albin 1991-Dictionnaire historique des rues de Paris, by J.Hillairet, ed.Minuit 1985, --Guides du Routard 1998-99, ed.Hachette, --Napoleon, by Jacques Bainville, ed.Rencontres --Rodin, Teufel des Skulptur, by H.Waldteuscher.

More information on Auguste Rodin: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/rodin/

Practical information:
Metro: Varenne

Hôtel Biron
77 Rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
Tél. : 01.44.18.61.10

Opening hours:
Closed Mondays
9.30 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. in winter.
9.30 a.m. - 5.45 p.m. in summer.

Entrance fees:
5 Euros; 3 Euros and for everyone on Sunday.
Free under 18.