The Thinker at musee Rodin
If you are interested in sculpture, enjoy wandering through lovely gardens, or just want to catch a glimpse of The Thinker in real life, pick a day without rain and head to the Musée Rodin.
Le jardin
For just one euro, you can peruse the grounds of Musée Rodin, which are home to such famous sculptures as Le Penseur, nestled inside a rose garden à la Alice in Wonderland, Ugolin, displayed in the center of a vast green pond, and La Porte de l’Enfer in the north-western corner of the property. Take time to walk through the wooded areas and the small gardens with fountains where you will find even more treasures left behind by Auguste Rodin.
Stop by the café du musée for a sandwich (5-6 euro) or a salad (around 10 euro) or bring your own picnic to enjoy on a bench in one of the gardens.
L’hotel Biron
For entrance into the hotel Biron, where many more works of art are housed, the cost is 6 euro and includes access to the garden and the museum café. Open to the public in 1919, the artist himself resided here beginning in 1908. Inside, you will find bronzes, marble sculptures, drawings and engravings done by Rodin covering his entire lifespan, ranging from 1877 (l’Age d’Airain) until 1914 (Lady Sackville). Additionally, there are paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists about or dedicated to Rodin. Especially of note are letters between Auguste Rodin and Claude Monet, both born in 1840 and who shared similar artistic visions.
Expositions
Temporary exhibitions located in the auditorium inside the welcome center display Rodin’s lesser known works and compare the themes of his art with those of contemporary artists’.
Practical information
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10am- 5:45pm
Access: Metro line 13, station: Varenne
RER C, station: Invalides
Bus: 69, 82, 87, 92
Cost: 1 euro for the garden, 6 euro for the garden and the museum
Free for those under 25 and teachers working in France
Musée Rodin
79 rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
© 2011 Pasa’s Paris