A vacation in Paris can often be a rather expensive thing. Those wandering the centre of the city will regularly find themselves alarmed at the price of a bottle of water in a corner shop or discover that the cheapest thing on the menu in a restaurant is still not very cost-effective. However, there are, of course, ways to avoid such pitfalls by being clever, avoiding serious tourist traps when possible, doing your research, and saving money where possible. So, if you're on a budget, it doesn't mean a lovely holiday in the city is impossible, it just means being prepared. One great way of doing this is by having some activities in your itinerary that are either inexpensive or completely free of charge, which will leave you with more of a budget to enjoy other things. For example, if you want to visit a wonderful museum in a very picturesque setting that has some great works of art and is free to enter while you are exploring Paris, then be sure to plan a visit to the Musée de la Vie Romantique.
The Musée de la Vie Romantique (The Museum of Romantic Life, or Museum of the Romantics) is located in Pigalle, in La Nouvelle Athènes, at the foot of Montmartre hill in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Housed inside an 1830 hôtel particulier that was once home to the Dutch-born painter Ary Scheffer, the museum recreates the romantic period and is spread across the house, the two twin-studios, a greenhouse, a small garden, and a courtyard, all of which are pretty as a picture. Privately owned until 1982, the property was opened as the Musée Renan-Scheffer and then reopened after extensive renovation in 1987 as the Musée de la Vie Romantique. Along with the Maison de Balzac and the Maison de Victor Hugo, it is considered one of the City of Paris' three literary museums, though there is much more to it than that.
On the ground floor of the main house, one finds the entire space is dedicated to the writer George Sand, who was one of the most famous writers in the 1830s and 1840s, even more renowned in her time than the likes of Victor Hugo. Sand is actually known to have been a regular visitor to the home during her lifetime when Scheffer and his daughter hosted Friday-evening salons that attracted the likes of Sand accompanied by Frédéric Chopin, and other great writers, musicians, and artists including Eugène Delacroix, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Alphonse de Lamartine, Franz Liszt, Gioacchino Rossini, singer Pauline Viardot, Charles Dickens, Ivan Turgueniev, and Charles Gounod. On display are images of Sand and items from her life such as family portraits, household possessions, pieces of jewelry, and some of her own rare watercolours as well as two plaster casts by Clésinger: one of her right arm and another of Chopin's left hand.
On the ground floor of the main house, one finds the entire space is dedicated to the writer George Sand, who was one of the most famous writers in the 1830s and 1840s, even more renowned in her time than the likes of Victor Hugo. Sand is actually known to have been a regular visitor to the home during her lifetime when Scheffer and his daughter hosted Friday-evening salons that attracted the likes of Sand accompanied by Frédéric Chopin, and other great writers, musicians, and artists including Eugène Delacroix, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Alphonse de Lamartine, Franz Liszt, Gioacchino Rossini, singer Pauline Viardot, Charles Dickens, Ivan Turgueniev, and Charles Gounod. On display are images of Sand and items from her life such as family portraits, household possessions, pieces of jewelry, and some of her own rare watercolours as well as two plaster casts by Clésinger: one of her right arm and another of Chopin's left hand.
Meanwhile, on the first floor one finds examples of Scheffer's work including portraits of Pauline Viardot, Queen Marie-Amélie, Princesse de Joinville, and Princesse Marie d'Orléans and oils such as his imagining of The Giaour (after Lord Byron), of Faust and Marguerite (after Goethe), and of Effie and Jeanie Deans (after The Heart of Midlothian by Walter Scott). Scheffer is also displayed alongside paintings, sculptures, and objets d'art by some of his contemporaries such as François Bouchot (Maria Malibran), François Debon, Charles Durupt, Louis Hersent, Redouté, Camille Roqueplan, Auguste Clésinger, François-Désiré Froment-Meurice, Marie d'Orléans, James Pradier, and more.
Two temporary exhibitions are usually also held each year, largely dedicated to other famous literary figures such as Lord Byron, composers and musicians such as Liszt, artists like Ingres, and thematic topics such as Impressionism and French Romantic Gardens. These exhibitions are often ticketed and require payment for entry but the rest of the museum remains free to visit. A further calendar of concerts, readings, workshops, and activities also takes place throughout the year so be sure to check out their website before your visit to see what else is on! And while you're about the place, be sure to pop into the Rose Bakery tearoom in the greenhouse in the garden that is a delightful place to refuel with a tasty snack!
With a lot packed under a charmingly pretty roof, the lovely Musée de la Vie Romantique is a must for those who have found a holiday rental in Paris and are looking to be absolutely delighted while in this famous part of France.
Two temporary exhibitions are usually also held each year, largely dedicated to other famous literary figures such as Lord Byron, composers and musicians such as Liszt, artists like Ingres, and thematic topics such as Impressionism and French Romantic Gardens. These exhibitions are often ticketed and require payment for entry but the rest of the museum remains free to visit. A further calendar of concerts, readings, workshops, and activities also takes place throughout the year so be sure to check out their website before your visit to see what else is on! And while you're about the place, be sure to pop into the Rose Bakery tearoom in the greenhouse in the garden that is a delightful place to refuel with a tasty snack!
With a lot packed under a charmingly pretty roof, the lovely Musée de la Vie Romantique is a must for those who have found a holiday rental in Paris and are looking to be absolutely delighted while in this famous part of France.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 2: Parizpropokrocile / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 2: Parizpropokrocile / CC BY-SA 3.0
