Rodin is one of the most famous names in the history of art and sculpture, and is the great mastermind who gave us iconic works such as The Kiss and The Thinker. The Rodin Museum in Paris is, undoubtedly, the best place to see his work and one of the most beautiful museums in the city – which is saying something in Paris! It is a must for lovers of the artist or anyone looking to have a pleasant day wandering some of the loveliest spaces in the city. Just have some fun browsing our incredible properties, or contact us for help, and find your perfect vacation rental in Paris.
Located not far from both the Hôtel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, is the Rodin Museum, a complex that is made up of an old chapel, a former mansion and an outdoor sculpture garden. The whole thing is so strikingly beautiful that, even on the bleakest of winters days, one cannot help but marvel at it all.
Located not far from both the Hôtel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, is the Rodin Museum, a complex that is made up of an old chapel, a former mansion and an outdoor sculpture garden. The whole thing is so strikingly beautiful that, even on the bleakest of winters days, one cannot help but marvel at it all.
One can pay to access just the garden or both the indoor spaces and museums. I recommend the latter if you have the time, though the gardens alone are worth it. In Spring and Summer the gardens are alive with seasonal flowers and have tree-shaded benches to sit upon and take a breather. There is a small cafe embedded on the grounds where you can grab a snack or a coffee and there are works like the Gates of Hell, the Burghers of Calais, the The Three Shades and a small version of the Thinker, among others, to enjoy.
There is a second museum of Rodin, in the suburb of Paris, 10km away from the first. The mansion is built on the heights of Meudon and is called the Villa des Brillants. A modest-looking, Louis XIII-style house in brick and stone, it was purchased by Rodin at auction in 1895 and, by 1900, around 50 people, including sculptor’s assistants, workers and casters, were employed here. While he continued to visit his other studios, this became a place where much of his work was done and became a social hotspot that attracted his friends, sitters, patrons and celebrities from France and abroad.
There is a second museum of Rodin, in the suburb of Paris, 10km away from the first. The mansion is built on the heights of Meudon and is called the Villa des Brillants. A modest-looking, Louis XIII-style house in brick and stone, it was purchased by Rodin at auction in 1895 and, by 1900, around 50 people, including sculptor’s assistants, workers and casters, were employed here. While he continued to visit his other studios, this became a place where much of his work was done and became a social hotspot that attracted his friends, sitters, patrons and celebrities from France and abroad.
Today you can learn about his life and work through the living and work spaces that were reconstructed from period photographs in 1997. One of the best displays to learn about Rodin, however, is the selection of plaster casts, particularly those for works in their successive stages, outlining his creative process. The chapel, meanwhile, offers additional exhibition and administrative spaces.
The buildings, artworks and gardens are all exceptionally beautiful and the museum complex truly is one of the most wonderful attractions in France.
The buildings, artworks and gardens are all exceptionally beautiful and the museum complex truly is one of the most wonderful attractions in France.
