The 18th-century Benedictine Abbaye Sainte-Vaast is a grey-stone classical building pockmarked by shrapnel from both world wars. The abbey was originally founded in the seventh century, at which time it marked the birth of the town of Arras. Its generous size indicates the important spiritual and economic role it played. Today, the Musée des Beaux-Arts […]
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Villa Vauban
This small but important museum is housed in a 19th century urban villa in the middle of a lush, landscaped park. The museum’s peaceful, timeless setting is ideal for showcasing its collection of 17th-19th century European paintings, sculptures and drawings. The current exhibit, “Treasures from the Burkenthal Collection: Brueghel, Cranach, Titian, van Eyck”, features 15th-18th […]
Maison de Victor Hugo and Place des Vosges
If you’re in the Marais, head over to 6 Place des Vosges, where Victor Hugo lived with his wife and four children from 1832-1848 in the 16th century Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée. By the time he lived here, Hugo had already become a great success with his novel Notre-Dame de Paris and his play Harnani. Here, […]
Helmut Newton and Grand Palais
The Helmut Newton exhibit at the Grand Palais is a must-see for fashionistas (unfortunately, not me!) and photography lovers (me!) alike. This is the first retrospective in France since his death in 2004. There are more than 200 images on display (fashion, nudes, portraits), which all reveal Newton’s heightened power of sociological observation and humor. […]
Atget and Musée Carnavalet
I always jump at the chance to see an Atget exhibit. I love vintage street photography, which is, well, pretty much what defines Atget. Eugène Atget was the original street photographer. Throughout his career, he took thousands of photos of Paris, capturing its characters, architecture and street scenes. The current exhibit at the Carnavalet displays […]
Musée du Louvre
The Musée du Louvre is another icon that is even more stunning after dark. The Louvre is housed in the Palais du Louvre, which was built as a fort in the 12th century to store Philippe II’s scrolls, jewels and swords while he lived within spitting distance on the Ile de la Cité. Remnants of […]
Musée des Beaux-Arts
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of France’s oldest museums. Within its ornate galleries, it has impressive collections ranging from Egyptian art to the 20th century. Most notable is the late 18th century European collection and the 15th century Burgundian collection. The centerpiece is the former great hall, now called the Salles des Gardes, where […]
Musée d’Art Sacré
The only reasons to visit this museum are if you are already next door at the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne or if you are religious. Since I fell into the former category, it’s no surprise that I was more interested in the architecture than the museum’s dusty contents. The Musée d’Art Sacré occupies the […]
Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne
Although navigating quaint Dijon evokes the past, a visit to Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne really shows what everyday life was like. The museum, which occupies a 17th century Cistercian convent, is well worth a visit. It is spread over three levels: 19th century rural and Burgundian ethnographical heritage displays are on the ground floor, […]
Hamburger Kunsthalle
This is considered one of the best art museums in Germany. I think it’s one of the best in Europe! Why? Well, it’s really big (certainly no Louvre, but much larger than many other cities’ museums) and heavy on what I most enjoy: 17th-19th century European paintings, sculptures and modern art. It also gives a […]
