Page 205 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

CHAILL O T QU AR TER  203

4 Musée de invasion of Britain, and dis plays these atmospheric vaulted
l’Homme on underwater explorat ion and medieval cellars, which were
fishing vessels.
once used by the monks of
Palais de Chaillot, 17 Pl du Trocadéro Passy. The exhibits include a
75016. Map 9 C2. Tel 01 44 05 72 72. 6 Jardins du collection of old wine bottles,
q Trocadéro. Open 10am–6pm glasses and cork screws, as
Wed–Mon (to 9pm Wed). Closed 1 Jan, Trocadéro well as an array of scientific
1 May, 25 Dec. & Exhibitions, films. instruments that were used in
0 - = ∑ museedehomme.fr 75016. Map 10 D2. q Trocadéro. the wine-making and bottling
The centrepiece of these processes. There is also an
Situated in the west lovely gardens is a long atmospheric restaurant, wine
wing of the Chaillot rectangular orna men tal for sale and tours which
palace, this museum pool, bordered by stone include a wine-tasting session.
traces the process of and bronze-gilt statues,
human evo lution, which look spec tacular at
from prehistoric times night when the fountains
to the present, through are illuminated. The
anthropological exhibits statues include Man by
from around the P Traverse and Woman by
world. It houses one G Braque, Bull by P Jouve
of the world’s most and Horse by G Guyot.
comprehen sive On either side of the
prehistoric collections. Gabon mask at the pool, the slopes of the
Displays show how Musée de l’Homme Chaillot hill lead down
humans have adapted to the Seine and the
to the environment, and there Pont d’Iéna. There is an
is also a focus on the develop- aquarium in the northeast Balzac’s modest house
ment of language and culture. corner of the gardens, which are
laid out with trees, small streams 8 Maison de Balzac
and bridges. There is also a lovely 47 Rue Raynouard 75016. Map 9 B3.
Christmas market in December.
Tel 01 55 74 41 80. q Passy, La
Muette. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun
(last adm: 5:30pm). Closed public hols.
7 Musée du Vin Reference library: Tue & Thu. & for
temporary exhibitions. 8 = 9
5 Sq Charles Dickens 75016. Map 9 B3.
Tel 01 45 25 70 89. q Passy. Open
10am–6pm Tue–Sat. Closed 1 Jan, The novelist Honoré de Balzac
Relief outside the Musée de la Marine 25 Dec. & ^ 7 8 tours with lived here from 1840 to 1847
5 Musée National wine tasting avail able for groups. under a false name, Monsieur de
Brugnol, to avoid his numerous
de la Marine Reserve in advance. 0 noon–3pm creditors. During this time, he
Tue–Sat. Tel 01 45 25 63 26.
∑ museeduvinparis.com wrote many of his most famous
Palais de Chaillot, 17 Pl du Trocadéro
75016. Map 9 C2. Tel 01 53 65 69 69. novels, among them La Cousine
q Trocadéro. Open 10am–6pm Wed– Waxwork figures and cardboard Bette (1846).
Mon. Closed Tue; Jul 14. & 9 8 by cut-outs graphically illustrate The house now contains a
appt; 01 53 65 69 53. = Films, videos. the history of wine making in reference library, with first edi-
∑ musee-marine.fr tions and manuscripts, and a
museum with memorabilia
French maritime history from from his life. Many of the rooms
the days of the royal wooden have drawings and paintings
war ships to today’s aircraft portray ing Balzac’s family and
carriers and nuclear subma rines close friends. The Madame
is told through wonder fully Hanska room is devoted to the
exact scale models (most of memory of the Russian woman
them two centu ries old), who corresponded with Balzac
mementos of naval heroes, for 18 years and was his wife for
paintings and navigatio nal the five months before his
instruments. The museum was death in 1850.
set up by Charles X in 1827, and The house has a back entrance
was then moved to the Chaillot leading into Rue Berton, which
palace in 1943. Exhibits include was used to evade unwelcome
Napoleon’s barge, models of the callers. Rue Berton, with its ivy-
fleet he assembled at Boulogne- Wax figure on display in the vaulted covered walls, has retained
sur-Mer in 1805 for his planned cellar of the Musée du Vin much of its old, rustic charm.

202-203_EW_Paris.indd 203 03/04/17 10:56 am