Paris has so many amazing pieces of art that it’s easy for tourists to throw in the towel without glimpsing most of them. If you know you’d like to visit a few exhibits without spending hours wandering halls and getting burnt out, read on for the six best permanent exhibits and why every visitor to Paris should see them.
The Mona Lisa
Leonardo Da Vinci’s enigmatic portrait of Mona Lisa is a must-see. There is a long wait at the Louvre, but afterward you’ll have stared in the eyes of one of the most copied and discussed paintings in the world. Conspiracy theories abound over this painting — speculating whether Da Vinci really painted it or whether he painted himself as Mona Lisa and the woman never existed at all — but you won’t be able to enjoy the debate yourself until you’ve seen the surprisingly small portrait in its spot at the Louvre.
Monet’s Water Lilies
Of the 250 paintings of water lilies renowned French Impressionist painter Claude Monet created, some of the best are displayed permanently at the Orangerie Museum. Monet often created series of works on one subject — he also featured haystacks — which allowed him to analyze and improve his light treatment in his artwork. Impressionism is founded on how light plays across different spaces at different times. Monet found his own garden, with its water lilies, to be fascinating. Decades later, we find it to be fascinating how Monet was able to create and transfer his impressions to canvas.
Cast Iron Architecture at the Orsay Museum
Get insight into Paris’ beloved landmark the Eiffel Tower by perusing this exhibit devoted to ornamental metalwork. Thanks to a gift in the 1980s, the museum holds many archives from the Monduit foundry, which produced artistic cast iron. After seeing this exhibit, your Parisian experience will change: You can see the effects glass and iron brought to the architecture at the turn of the 20th century, including the Eiffel Tower.
Rodin’s Thinker
One of the most iconic images of the 20th century, Rodin’s bronze sculpture of a man struggling with his mind can be seen at the Rodin Museum in Paris. Rodin made about 28 versions of the final sculpture, but it’s this one that captured the world’s attention. Rodin chose to depict his Thinker (or, as he originally called him, the Poet) naked because of the classical heroic connotations. Merging intellect and brawn, this sculpture was given its present name by the foundry workers after it had been cast.
Paris’ History
Paris museums are not only about art. Learn the City of Light’s history at the Carnavalet Museum. Housed in two 16th – 17th century buildings, this museum traces the making of one of the worlds’ great cities in a permanent exhibit extending over 100 rooms. Including archeological artifacts, furniture and models, this museum is especially well-done in regards to the time leading up to and during the French Revolution. Visitors will have a better understanding of the transformations that made France the nation it is today.
for her trips there.
