Page 193 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

INV ALIDES AND EIFFEL T OWER QU AR TER  191

of the 19th century, lived and diplomat who held legendary
worked in the elegant Hôtel parties here, and several
Biron from 1908 until his death members of the nobility. It
in 1917. In return for a state- has been the official residence
owned flat and studio, Rodin of the French Prime Minister
agreed to leave his work to the since 1958 and has the largest
nation. Some 300 works from private garden in Paris.
Rodin’s collection can now be
seen in the museum. The garden
consists of a rose garden, an 9 Le Bon Marché
ornamental garden and a 24 Rue de Sèvres 75007. Map 11 C5.
relaxation area with benches, and Tel 01 44 39 80 00. q Sèvres-
contains some of Rodin’s most Babylone. Open 10am–8pm
celebrated sculptures: The Thinker, Mon–Sat (to 8:45pm Thu & Fri).
The Burghers of Calais, The Gates ∑ lebonmarche.com
of Hell and Balzac. Spread across
The Invalides main entrance 18 rooms, the museum combines Welcoming as many as 15,000
a chronology of Rodin’s creative customers per day, “The Good
6 Hôtel des development with a thematic Market” (or “The Good Deal”) is
Invalides exploration of his workshop. It the swankiest department store
has even re-created a space in Paris, selling luxury goods
6 Blvd des Invalides, Esplanade des exactly as it was when Rodin and gourmet foods. It is also
Invalides 75007. Map 11 A3. Tel 08 10 lived and worked here. the world’s oldest department
11 33 99. q La Tour-Maubourg, store, founded in 1852 by
Varenne. Open 7:30am–7pm daily Aristide Boucicaut and his
(Apr–Sep: to 9pm Tue). Last adm: 8 Hôtel Matignon wife. The Boucicauts used their
15 min before closing. Closed 1 Jan, keen sense of commerce to
1 May, 25 Dec. & 8 57 Rue de Varenne 75007. Map 11 C4.
∑ musee-armee.fr Tel 01 42 75 80 00. q Solférino, Rue introduce innovative practices –
du Bac. Closed to the public, but fixed prices, sales, home
Founded by Louis XIV, this was garden open to public 1st Sat of delivery, advertising and
the first military hospital and each month. guarantees – that became the
home for French war veterans standard for other grands
and disabled soldiers who had One of the most beautiful magasins. Designed by Louis-
hitherto been reduced to mansions in the Faubourg Charles Boileau and Gustave
begging. The decree for building area, this was built by Jean Eiffel, the Bon Marché is also
this vast complex was signed in Courtonne in 1721 and has an architectural landmark.
1670, and construction, following been substantially remodelled
the designs of Libéral Bruand, since. Former owners include
was finished five years later. Talleyrand, the statesman and 0 Musée Maillol
Today, the Classical façade is
one of the most impressive sights 59/61 Rue de Grenelle 75007. Map 11
in Paris, with its four storeys, C4. Tel 01 42 22 59 58. q Sèvres-
Babylone, Rue du Bac. Open
cannon in the fore court, garden 10:30am–6:30pm daily (to 9:30pm Fri).
and tree-lined esplanade stretch- Closed lunchtime; 1 Jan, 25 Dec. 7
ing to the Seine. The south side - = & ∑ museemaillol.com
leads to St-Louis-des-Invalides,
the soldiers’ church, which Once the home of novelist
backs on to the magnifi cent Alfred de Musset, this museum
Dôme des Invalides of Jules was created by Dina Vierny,
Hardouin-Mansart. The dome former model of Aristide
was regilded in 1989. Maillol. All aspects of the
artist’s work are here:
drawings, engravings,
7 Musée Rodin paintings, sculpture and
decorative objects.
79 Rue de Varenne 75007. Map 11 B3.
Tel 01 44 18 61 10. q Varenne. Also displayed is Vierny’s
Open 10am–5:45pm Tue–Sun (to private collection,
8:45pm Wed). Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, including works by Matisse,
25 Dec. & 7 restricted. - = Picasso and Rodin.
8 occas. ∑ musee-rodin.fr Large allegorical figures
of the city of Paris and the
Auguste Rodin, widely four seasons decorate
regarded as one of the Bouchardon’s fountain
greatest French sculptors Rodin’s The Kiss (1886) at the Musée Rodin in front of the house.

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